During the time you are working out a payment plan or the trustee is gathering and preparing the assets to sell, creditors are required by law to stop all collection efforts against you. As soon as the bankruptcy petition is stamped “Relief Ordered,” you’re immediately protected from your creditors. This is called the automatic stay. After that time, if a creditor attempts to collect a debt, you should immediately notify the creditor in writing that you have filed bankruptcy, and provide them with either the case number and filing date or a copy of the petition that shows that it was filed. If the creditor still continues to collect, you may be entitled to take legal action against it.