A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is a proceeding under federal law in which the debtor seeks relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.  Chapter 7 is that part (or Chapter) of the Bankruptcy Code that deals with liquidation.  The Bankruptcy Code is a federal law that deals with bankruptcy.  A person who files a Chapter 7 case is called a debtor.  In a Chapter 7 case, the debtor must turn his or her nonexempt property, if any exists, over to a trustee, who then converts the property to cash and pays the debtor’s creditors.  In return, the debtor receives a Chapter 7 discharge, if he or she pays the filing fee, is eligible for the discharge, and obeys the orders and rules of the bankruptcy court.