Chapter 7 of Title 11 in the U.S. bankruptcy code controls the process of asset liquidation. A bankruptcy trustee is appointed to liquidate nonexempt assets to pay creditors; after the proceeds are exhausted, the remaining debt is discharged.

Chapter 7 of Title 11 U.S. Code is the bankruptcy code that governs the process of liquidation under the bankruptcy laws of the U.S. In contrast to bankruptcy under Chapter 11 and Chapter 13, which govern the process of reorganization of a debtor, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common form of bankruptcy in the U.S.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a section of the United States Bankruptcy Code that gives a debtor, the person in debt, a chance to wipe away their debts. However, this comes at a cost. According to Jonathan Carson, CEO of bankruptcy services firm Stretto, "Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the liquidation of a debtor's assets."

A chapter 7 bankruptcy case does not involve the filing of a plan of repayment as in chapter 13. Instead, the bankruptcy trustee gathers and sells the debtor's nonexempt assets and uses the proceeds of such assets to pay holders of claims (creditors) in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

Chapter 7 provides relief to debtors regardless of the amount of debts owed or whether a debtor is solvent or insolvent. A Chapter 7 Trustee is appointed to convert the debtor’s assets into cash for distribution among creditors.