Divorce is one of the major causes of Bankruptcy. There are numerous reasons for this such as a division of income, cost of maintaining two households, division of resources added stress, added responsibilities, the failure of one part to pay bills they agreed to pay, and the failure of one of the parties to pay child support. Things you should know. 1. The filing of bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay and stops the divorce proceedings. You must get relief from stay to proceed with the divorce. 2. Child support and alimony are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. 3. If you are put in jail for failing to pay child support you can get out of jail by filing a chapter 13 bankruptcy.