I've been through bankruptcy over 15 years ago. It's a little tougher now than it was then. For instance, you have to get some kind of financial counseling now. Bankruptcy is governed by federal law, so I don't know of any important variations between states. Chap.7 verses Chap. 13 refers to sections of the federal law, so they're the same in every state.

If you're struggling because of garnished wages, then you're exactly the kind of person bankruptcy was intended for. Rebuilding credit afterwards isn't as hard as a lot of people told me it would be. Just be totally honest with your lawyer.