6. File the forms. Filing your petition (the main bankruptcy form) officially starts your case. Most people file all the forms at once, but if you're in an emergency, you can file just a two-page form, and then file the complete set of the forms within 15 days.

7. Go to a meeting. In most cases, you'll need to go to court only once, for a short meeting with the trustee (and perhaps a creditor or two) to review your case and answer any questions about the information in your forms.

8. File objections or motions if needed. If you dispute a creditor's claim against you or you want to eliminate certain liens, you'll need to address these matters before your bankruptcy case is closed.

9. Wind up your secured debts. When you filed your bankruptcy forms, you completed a form in which you stated how you intended to handle your secured debts. Before your case is closed, you'll need to act on these matters.

10. Get your discharge. Congratulations! This is what it's all about. At the end of a successful bankruptcy, the court will issue an order saying that your dischargeable debts are officially discharged. Once a debt is discharged, you no longer have a legal obligation to pay it and the creditor has no legal right to demand it.