The automatic stay is one of the fundamental debtor protections provided by the bankruptcy laws.
It gives the debtor a breathing spell from his creditors.
It stops all collection efforts, all harassment, and all foreclosure actions.
Automatic Stay -- Immediately after a bankruptcy case is filed, an injunction (called the "Automatic Stay") is generally imposed against certain creditors who want to start or continue taking action against a debtor or the debtor's property.
Bankruptcy Code Section 362 discusses the Automatic Stay.
Section 362(a)(1) of the House amendment adopts the provision contained in the Senate amendment enjoining the commencement or continuation of a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding to recover a claim against the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case.