It's a matter of timing. And that timing depends on whether you previously filed under Chapter 7 or 13, and what you are filing under now.
Before filing bankruptcy, you should know the implications of an unpaid child/spousal support debt. Payment may depend on whether you file Chapter 7 or 13.
Here's an example of a Chapter 13 payment plan to pay past-due child and/or spousal support, showing how you can catch up safely and sanely.
Chapter 13 gives you a powerful, reasonable, flexible, and even calm procedure for catching up on your past-due child or spousal support.
Chapter 13 immediately stops the collection of past-due child or spousal support. But to keep that protection you must meet some conditions for stopping support collections.
Chapter 13 DOES stop the collection of unpaid child or spousal support from your after-filing income and other assets. Chapter 7 does NOT.
Chapter 7 does not stop the collection of unpaid child or spousal support, nor provide any procedure to pay the support. It may still help enough.
Chapter 7 is very limited in helping avoid a support lien. Chapter 13 is much more powerful, as long as you precisely meet some conditions.