Can I discharge my child support arrears by filing for bankruptcy?

No. Filing for bankruptcy will not cancel debt related to child support.[2583] There is unfortunately no legal procedure that completely discharges child support debt. While you may be able to reduce any child support arrears you owe to the state (see chart above), you will continue to owe some amount of child support until it is paid off.

  1. 2583

    Judicial Branch of California, Child Support FAQs, available at http://www.courts.ca.gov/1200.htm.