<prompt> Human: So, heres my predicament. Because of certain mistakes I made 8 years ago, I have a felony record and bad credit. As you can imagine, it is very difficult for me to obtain employment. I understand that this is no ones fault but my own, but I still have a life I need to live. In addition to all that, 2.5 years ago I had a child. I no longer get to see my child, but I am still obligated to pay child support. Even though the mother and I spent the first year of our childs life together during which time I was steadily employed and acted as the main source of income for our family, I am being forced to pay back child support to my childs birth. This past year I was unemployed for 6 months. I gained employment for about 5 months, but it was a part time serving job. I paid 50 out of every paycheck to child support.However, I am currently unable to pay all of the pack child support I owe. I am currently unemployed again. Its a bit of a self-eating snake. Because I cant pay my child support, the state has taken away my Alcohol Servers and my Drivers License. Obviously this coupled with my record make it nearly impossible to get any job. Ive read what little I can on chapter 7 bankruptcy in my home state New Mexico. I understand that it will not affect my child support payments the same way it might affect my, say, phone bills. But if I dont pay my child support I could be facing jail time. Will filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy at least buy me some time to pay that off? Or will it proceed as normal? Also, with filing for Chapter 7 in New Mexico, will that be able to reinstate my suspended drivers license andor Alcohol Servers Permit?Before the subject comes up- my credit is already in the tank, so Im really not worried about that. I also am aware that a bankruptcy filing shows on a credit report for 10 years and I am fine with that.Heres a little overview on what I owe:Back Child Support: 8000Student Loan: 7000I was on a reparation program with The DOE up until I lost my job, so that is no longer an optionUnpaid Rent: 1600Cell Phone Debt: 800This is a rough estimate from about 3 different companies that I owe.Refinanced Loan: 2000DirecTV: 200Total Debt: 19600 -Once again, Im really wanting to know if Chapter 7 can buy me some time before Child Support Enforcement takes criminal actions against me and if filing Chapter 7 would allow me to have at least my drivers license be unsuspended. Thanks for your help!EDIT: Wow thanks so much for the responses you guys! Based on what Im seeing bankruptcy isnt an option, but you guys have given me a lot of other avenues to pursue.  <response>: Talk to a lawyer that deals with bankruptcies. They are really the only ones who will be able to give you a good answer. Most of them are used to dealing with clients that have no money, you can work out a payment plan with them and end up paying less overall. 