When debt collectors start calling, lawsuits arrive in the mail, and the numbers no longer add up, bankruptcy can look like the ultimate emergency exit. Sometimes it is. But when you own a home with equity, it can also be a minefield. The difference matters most when a debtor faces two realities at once: high unsecured debt (like credit cards) and meaningful equity in a home. In that situation, the first question should never be, "Can I wipe out my debt?" The first question m