Chapter 7 & large utility bills

[phoenyx]

I'm filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I am married, however none of my debt is in my wife's name whatsoever. She is not filing bankruptcy.

A small part of the debt I'll be discharging is for the electric & heating bill that is billed in my name - not my wife's. It's a balance for around 14-28 months.

Do utility bills get discharged in Chapter 7? Will I have problems getting service at this address, and future addresses? Just a few months security deposit perhaps - with the past due balance before bankruptcy gone?

Or, can I just have my wife contact them to have her put it in her name to avoid even the security deposits if there are any?

[BassBoy]

Yes, you can discharge debts owed for utilities, however as you seem to be aware, you'll probably have to pay a large deposit to continue service or activate new service (with the same provider) elsewhere.

If the services are in your name only, I would think you may be able to activate new service in your wife's name in order to avoid the large security deposits. Although, if this is not possible, you can try to work out a payment arrangement to pay what is owed. There are solutions to this issue and you'll need to figure out what works out best for you and your wife.