Basic Bankruptcy Law For Paralegals

by David Buchbinder

• ISBN13: 9780735539754
• ISBN10: 0735539758
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-10-01
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer

Summary

Proven effective through years of classroom use, Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals its Fifth Edition as a current, compact, and comprehensive overview of both the Code And The Rules. This popular text earned its reputation as a dependable teaching tool by: focusing on what paralegals need to know, allowing students to learn and digest the basics of bankruptcy without having to master an entirely new vocabulary providing a readable overview of the bankruptcy code and rules, with step-by-step guidance through the paralegal's role at every stage of the bankruptcy proceeding taking a practical approach, covering not only the law, but also how to complete documents - with helpful explanations of the appropriate timing offering excellent pedagogy, including abundant examples, checklists of procedures, summaries of the law, and discussion questions serving as the foundation of a complete teaching package, including a thorough Instructor's Manual with test bank the Fifth Edition keeps pace with developments in the law: current with all changes To The Code and Rules as of April 1, 2004, The text presents summaries of all important bankruptcy related Supreme Court cases decided in the 2004 term accompanying Forms Manual - containing all the basic official forms, plus a number of custom forms which are especially useful to small firms that do not specialize in bankruptcy practice - is now on the CD included with the book expanded chapter on Bankruptcy Research discusses more web-based research sources new glossary entries particular to large corporate 'mega' cases

Table of Contents

Preface	xxi
Acknowledgments	xxiii
Introduction: Paralegals and the Bankruptcy System	1	(1)
Role of the Paralegal	2	(1)
Common Activities	3	(2)
Part I. History and Introduction	5	(66)
A Short History of Bankruptcy	7	(10)
Origins of Bankruptcy Systems	7	(3)
Bankruptcy in the Middle Ages	10	(1)
Early English Insolvency Laws	11	(2)
Bankruptcy in the United States	13	(4)
Summary	15	(1)
Key Terms	16	(1)
Discussion Questions	16	(1)
Introduction to the Bankruptcy Code	17	(8)
Organization of the Bankruptcy Code and a Note on the Text	17	(1)
Overview of the Bankruptcy Code	18	(3)
The Bankruptcy System	21	(4)
Summary	23	(1)
Key Terms	24	(1)
Discussion Questions	24	(1)
Alternatives to Bankruptcy Under State Law	25	(8)
Article 6 UCC Bulk Sales	26	(3)
Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors	29	(1)
Composition Agreements	30	(3)
Summary	31	(1)
Key Terms	31	(1)
Chapter 3 Checklist	32	(1)
Discussion Questions	32	(1)
Filing a Petition	33	(16)
Voluntary Petitions	33	(5)
Involuntary Petitions	38	(11)
Summary	44	(1)
Key Terms	45	(1)
Chapter 4 Checklist	45	(2)
Discussion Questions	47	(2)
Chapter 1---General Provisions	49	(12)
Notice and a Hearing	49	(4)
Rules of Grammatical Construction	53	(1)
Powers of the Court	54	(1)
Statutes of Limitations	54	(1)
Who May Be a Debtor	55	(6)
Summary	58	(1)
Key Terms	58	(1)
Chapter 5 Checklist	58	(2)
Discussion Questions	60	(1)
Useful Definitions---Section 101	61	(10)
Affiliates	61	(1)
Claim	62	(1)
Community Claim	62	(1)
Corporation	62	(1)
Creditor	63	(1)
Custodian	63	(1)
Debt	63	(1)
Equity Security Holder	64	(1)
Individual with Regular Income	64	(1)
Insiders	64	(1)
Insolvency	65	(1)
Judicial Lien	66	(1)
Lien	66	(1)
Person	66	(1)
Security	67	(1)
Security Agreement	67	(1)
Single Asset Real Estate	68	(1)
Statutory Lien	68	(1)
Transfer	69	(2)
Summary	69	(1)
Discussion Questions	70	(1)
Part II. Debtor Relief	71	(64)
Overview of Chapter 7	73	(20)
Employment and Compensation of Professionals	74	(5)
Bankruptcy Petition Preparers	79	(1)
The Chapter 7 Process	80	(4)
Rule 2004 Examinations	84	(1)
Discharge and Reaffirmation	85	(8)
Summary	88	(2)
Key Terms	90	(1)
Chapter 7 Checklist	90	(1)
Discussion Questions	91	(2)
Conversion and Dismissal	93	(6)
Conversion	93	(2)
Dismissal	95	(4)
Summary	96	(1)
Key Terms	97	(1)
Discussion Questions	97	(2)
Exemptions	99	(16)
Background	99	(2)
Selecting Exemptions	101	(2)
Federal Exemptions	103	(5)
Unaffected Claims	108	(1)
Lien Avoidance to Preserve Exemption	109	(1)
Claiming and Objecting to Exemptions	110	(5)
Summary	111	(1)
Key Terms	111	(1)
Chapter 9 Checklist	112	(1)
Discussion Questions	113	(2)
Trustees, Examiners, and Creditors Committees	115	(14)
Trustees	115	(2)
The United States Trustee	117	(2)
The Trustee's Duties	119	(1)
Debtor-in-Possession	120	(1)
Official Creditors Committees	121	(2)
Chapter 11 Trustees and Examiners	123	(6)
Summary	126	(1)
Key Terms	127	(1)
Discussion Questions	127	(2)
Preparing a Proceeding for a Trustee	129	(6)
Prefiling Actions	129	(3)
Postfiling Actions	132	(3)
Summary	133	(1)
Chapter 11 Checklist	134	(1)
Discussion Questions	134	(1)
Part III. Bankruptcy Litigation	135	(82)
The Automatic Stay---11 U.S.C. §362	137	(20)
Introduction to Bankruptcy Litigation	137	(1)
The Automatic Stay	138	(1)
Activity Subject to the Automatic Stay	139	(2)
Activity Not Subject to the Automatic Stay	141	(4)
Duration of the Automatic Stay	145	(1)
Obtaining Relief from the Automatic Stay	146	(11)
Summary	152	(2)
Key Terms	154	(1)
Chapter 12 Checklist	154	(2)
Discussion Questions	156	(1)
Objections to Discharge and Dischargeability of Debts	157	(18)
Distinguishing Discharge and Dischargeability of Debts	157	(1)
Debts Nondischargeable without Creditor Action	158	(5)
Debts Nondischargeable with Creditor Action	163	(4)
Complaints to Determine Dischargeability of a Debt	167	(2)
Objecting to Discharge	169	(2)
Complaints Objecting to Discharge	171	(4)
Summary	172	(1)
Key Terms	173	(1)
Discussion Questions	173	(2)
Property of the Estate and Turnover Complaints	175	(10)
Property of the Estate	175	(5)
Turnover Complaints	180	(5)
Summary	182	(1)
Key Terms	183	(1)
Discussion Questions	183	(2)
Avoiding Powers---Introduction	185	(6)
Function of the Trustee's Avoiding Powers	185	(1)
Strong Arm Clause	186	(1)
Limitations on Avoiding Powers	187	(2)
Statutory Lien Avoidance	189	(2)
Summary	190	(1)
Key Terms	190	(1)
Discussion Questions	190	(1)
Avoidable Preferences---11 U.S.C. §547	191	(16)
Introduction and Definitions	191	(2)
Elements of a Preference	193	(3)
Affirmative Defenses	196	(5)
Miscellaneous Provisions	201	(6)
Summary	202	(1)
Key Terms	203	(1)
Chapter 16 Checklist	203	(2)
Discussion Questions	205	(2)
Fraudulent and Postpetition Transfers	207	(10)
Fraudulent Transfers	207	(3)
Postpetition Transfers	210	(1)
Liability of Transferees	211	(2)
Setoffs	213	(4)
Summary	215	(1)
Key Terms	216	(1)
Discussion Questions	216	(1)
Part IV. Liquidation and Claims	217	(74)
Use, Sale, or Lease of Property	219	(14)
Liquidating Estate Assets	219	(1)
General Rules	219	(3)
Use of Cash Collateral	222	(1)
Effect of the Automatic Stay	223	(1)
Sales Free and Clear of Liens	223	(2)
Other Property Interests	225	(3)
Miscellaneous Provisions	228	(5)
Summary	229	(1)
Key Terms	230	(1)
Chapter 18 Checklist	230	(1)
Discussion Questions	231	(2)
Executory Contracts and Leases	233	(14)
Executory Contracts	233	(2)
Assuming a Contract	235	(2)
Time Limits for Assumption	237	(2)
Miscellaneous Provisions	239	(2)
Real Estate Contracts	241	(1)
Intellectual Property	242	(5)
Summary	242	(1)
Key Terms	243	(1)
Chapter 19 Checklist	244	(1)
Discussion Questions	244	(3)
Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Property of the Estate	247	(10)
Preservation of Cash	247	(2)
Utility Service/Discrimination	249	(1)
Abandonment	250	(1)
Obtaining Credit	251	(3)
System Example	254	(3)
Summary	254	(1)
Key Terms	255	(1)
Discussion Questions	256	(1)
Claims	257	(26)
Claim Determination	257	(1)
Filing a Proof of Claim	258	(2)
Claims Objections --- Procedure	260	(1)
Claims Objections --- Substance	261	(4)
Administrative Expenses	265	(1)
Fee Sharing Prohibition	266	(1)
Tax Claims Determination	266	(1)
Secured Claims	267	(2)
Statement of Intention	269	(1)
Redemption	270	(1)
Priority Claims	271	(2)
Foreign Proceedings	273	(1)
Codebtor Claims	274	(1)
Subordination	274	(9)
Summary	275	(2)
Key Terms	277	(1)
Chapter 21 Checklist	278	(2)
Discussion Questions	280	(3)
Administration	283	(8)
Order of Distribution	283	(2)
Method of Distribution	285	(1)
Bankruptcy Administration Timeline	286	(5)
Summary	289	(1)
Key Terms	289	(1)
Chapter 22 Checklist	289	(1)
Discussion Questions	290	(1)
Part V. Reorganization Proceedings	291	(82)
Chapter 13: Reorganization Proceedings	293	(22)
Introduction---Reorganization Proceedings	293	(1)
Special Chapter 13 Provisions	294	(1)
Dismissal or Conversion---Reorganization Provisions	295	(3)
Chapter 13 Plan Provisions	298	(5)
Confirmation Hearings	303	(1)
Confirmation Conditions	303	(2)
Feasibility Analysis	305	(1)
Cramdown	306	(1)
Effect of Confirmation and Chapter 13 Discharge	307	(8)
Summary	309	(2)
Key Terms	311	(1)
Chapter 23 Checklist	311	(2)
Discussion Questions	313	(2)
Chapter 11: Introduction and Administration	315	(16)
Introduction to Chapter 11	315	(4)
Actions to Take within 60 Days of Filing	319	(1)
Debtor-in-Possession Bank Accounts	320	(1)
Insider Compensation	321	(1)
Operating Reports	322	(2)
Reviewing Operating Reports	324	(7)
Summary	326	(1)
Key Terms	326	(1)
Chapter 24 Checklist	327	(1)
Discussion Questions	328	(3)
Chapter 11: Elements of a Plan	331	(16)
Confirmation Process --- Overview	331	(1)
Time to File a Plan	332	(3)
Plan Characteristics	335	(1)
Classification of Claims	335	(2)
Mandatory Plan Provisions	337	(2)
Permissive Plan Provisions	339	(1)
Impaired Claims	340	(7)
Summary	342	(1)
Key Terms	343	(1)
Chapter 25 Checklist	343	(2)
Discussion Questions	345	(2)
Chapter 11: Plan Confirmation	347	(18)
Disclosure Statement	347	(2)
Plan Confirmation Packet	349	(1)
Voting Rules	350	(1)
Modification of the Plan	351	(1)
Balloting Report	352	(1)
Confirmation Conditions	352	(3)
Chapter 11 Cramdown	355	(3)
Effect of Confirmation and Chapter 11 Discharge	358	(7)
Summary	359	(2)
Key Terms	361	(1)
Chapter 26 Checklist	361	(3)
Discussion Questions	364	(1)
Chapter 12: Reorganization Proceedings	365	(8)
Purposes of Chapter 12	365	(1)
Who May File Chapter 12	366	(1)
Comparison to Chapters 11 and 13	367	(1)
Unique Chapter 12 Features	368	(1)
Chapter 12 Plans and Discharge	369	(4)
Summary	370	(1)
Key Term	371	(1)
Discussion Questions	371	(2)
Part VI. Review	373	(52)
Introduction to Courts and Jurisdiction	375	(10)
Bankruptcy and Federal Judges	375	(2)
Activity within a Bankruptcy	377	(1)
BAFJA	378	(2)
Core and Noncore Proceedings	380	(1)
Removal and Appeals	381	(2)
Jury Trials	383	(2)
Summary	383	(1)
Key Terms	384	(1)
Discussion Questions	384	(1)
Statements and Schedules Tutorial	385	(34)
Introduction	385	(1)
Brad and Jenn Pittz Fact Memo	386	(2)
Schedules	388	(16)
Statement of Financial Affairs	404	(15)
Summary	418	(1)
Discussion Questions	418	(1)
Researching Bankruptcy Issues	419	(6)
Traditional Methods	419	(3)
The Internet	422	(3)
Chapter 30 Checklist	423	(1)
Discussion Questions	423	(2)
Appendix 1. Noticed Motions and Ex Parte Applications	425	(2)
Appendix 2. Documents and Deadlines	427	(2)
Glossary	429	(16)
Table of Cases	445	(2)
Table of Statutes	447	(4)
Table of Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure	451	(2)
Table of Secondary Authorities	453	(2)
Index	455