Except your mortgage is secured by an asset, the sale of which removes most, or all, of the debt. It's a desperate option, but it's there, no bankruptcy needed.

Except your mortgage is secured by an asset, the sale of which removes most, or all, of the debt. It's a desperate option, but it's there, no bankruptcy needed. Medical debt and unsecured debt have no such option -- and student loans can't be discharged even in bankruptcy. It's not the same situation.