The most common reasons for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy include such things as:

• extended periods of unemployment, causing the debtor to be unable to pay his or her debts as they become due
• large and often unanticipated medical expenses
• seriously overextended credit beyond the debtor's ability to repay, often accompanied by unreasonably high interest rates
• marital problems which lead to financial hardship, and;
• Other large unexpected expenses.