I’m accustomed to advising clients about big ticket debts like mortgages, auto loans and back taxes. I was surprised when a client, resigned to letting her house go to foreclosure, was absolutely delighted to know that she could free herself from her unhappy relationship with Verizon Wireless at the same time.

Bankruptcy terminates executory contracts in place when the case is filed. So the balance of the two year contract with the unsatisfactory provider could be terminated, and the early cancellation penalty treated just like any other unsecured creditor.

I’m adding to my list of things to do before you file, like change banks and cancel automatic payments from your checking account, consider dumping your cell phone provider.