I was told I need to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Can someone please explain this?

I was told I need to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.... Can someone please explain this? I have a WHOLE bunch of questions! What is Chapter 7, and how does it work? What is a Chapter 7 discharge? Where is a Chapter 7 case filed? Can a husband and wife file jointly under Chapter 7? How does filing under Chapter 7 affect lawsuits and attachments that have already been filed against the debtor? How does filing under Chapter 7 affect a person's credit rating? How does filing under Chapter 7 affect a person's credit rating? Are employers notified of Chapter 7 cases? May employers or government agencies discriminate against a person who files under Chapter 7? Will a person lose all of his property if he files under Chapter 7? When must a person go to court in a Chapter 7 case, and what happens? What is a trustee in a Chapter 7 case, and what does a trustee do? How long does a Chapter 7 case last? Does a Chapter 7 Discharge affect the liability of other parties who may be liable to a creditor on a discharged debt? What is the role of the attorney for a consumer debtor in a Chapter 7 case? I know it is a lot - but my head is spinning! Please HELP!