Once completed, the remaining non-exempt bills are wiped out by the courts. This will be on your credit report for 10 years. This usually involves a pay back plan of 3-5 years. Any bills left after that time which are non-exempt are often wiped out by the courts. This will be on your credit report for 7 years.
Bankruptcy can help in several instances.
Bankruptcy will stop forclosure and repossession proceedings. Bankruptcy can stop the garnishment of wages. Bankruptcy can get you a fresh start. Bankruptcy is deleted from the credit reports. However, bankruptcy is a public record available for viewing for literally the rest of your life.