First off, he should pay it off, and there have been some good ideas posted. But, I do know from all the crap people leave when they move out of rental property, I have seen letters from credit card companies offering to settle for a quarter to a third of what is owed. I really doubt credit card companies are going to come after assets anyway so I would forget any of the concealment of asset strategies unless he gets a lawyer involved and does it by the book. I will also tell you a lot of bankruptcy attorneys just want you in and out and get paid their fees, they don't care about you once you sign the papers. They make money on volume and speed and do it every day. I am sure there are good ones as well but you need to keep that in mind.