Debt Free!

by James P. Caher; John M. Caher

• ISBN13: 9780805042764
• ISBN10: 0805042768
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2013-12-17
• Publisher: Macmillan Trade

Summary

This clear, practical guide helps readers get past the stigma of bankruptcy and on their way to financial recovery.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction: Okay, You Blew It	xv
Debt Free and Shame Free	1	(8)
The ``Fresh Start'' Principle	3	(1)
Bankruptcy Is Not About Guilt	4	(1)
Handling Bill Collectors	5	(1)
Do You Need a Lawyer?	6	(2)
Getting Your Life Back in Order	8	(1)
Questions and Answers	9	(15)
A Bird's-Eye View	24	(19)
Important Terms	25	(2)
Types of Bankruptcy and Eligibility	27	(1)
Eligibility	28	(5)
Getting Professional Help	33	(2)
Groundwork for Credit Repair	35	(1)
Automatic Stay	36	(2)
341 Meeting	38	(1)
The Players	39	(2)
The Claims Process	41	(2)
Forgive Us Our Trespasses	43	(22)
Secured and Unsecured Debts	44	(2)
Dischargeable Debts	46	(1)
Nondischargeable Debts	47	(14)
Tracking Down All Your Creditors	61	(1)
Reaffirmation	62	(1)
Denial of Discharge	63	(2)
What Do You Have to Lose?	65	(12)
Legal Hokeypokey	66	(3)
Common Types of Property	69	(7)
Exemption Planning	76	(1)
Don't Lien on Me	77	(6)
Property Ownership: A ``Bundle of Rights''	78	(1)
The Lowdown on Liens	79	(4)
Games People Play	83	(13)
An Adversarial Process	84	(1)
The Trustee's Avoidance Powers	84	(7)
Your Avoidance Powers and Other Weapons	91	(5)
Cars and Household Goods	96	(7)
Legal Principles Affecting Your Possessions	96	(1)
Automobiles	97	(3)
Household Goods	100	(3)
Home Sweet Home	103	(17)
Review of Ground Rules Pertaining to Homes	104	(2)
No Equity?	106	(1)
Keeping Your Home in Chapter 7	107	(1)
Keeping Your Home in Chapter 13	107	(3)
Jointly Held Property	110	(1)
Judgement Liens	111	(1)
Cure: Making Back Payments	112	(1)
Bifurcation	113	(1)
Due-on-Sale Clauses: A Sleeping Giant	114	(1)
Examples	115	(5)
Life After Bankruptcy	120	(7)
Nondiscrimination Laws	120	(2)
Credit Repair	122	(5)
You Blew It Again?	127	(10)
Trustee Payments	128	(4)
Payments Outside the Plan	132	(2)
Postpetition Debts	134	(3)
Checklists---Dos and Don'ts	137	(4)
Before Filing	137	(2)
After Filing	139	(2)
Debt Free Without Bankruptcy	141	(12)
Selling Assets	142	(1)
Negotiating with Creditors	142	(3)
Restructuring Home Mortgages	145	(1)
Home Equity Loans/Second Mortgages	145	(1)
Ignoring Creditors	146	(1)
Dealing with the IRS	147	(4)
A Final Reminder: Bankruptcy Is Not About Guilt	151	(2)
Afterword	153	(2)
Appendix 1: Fair Debt Collection	155	(9)
Appendix 2: Tables	164	(10)
Eligibility---Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13	164	(1)
Dischargeable Debts---Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13	165	(1)
Saving Your Home---Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13	166	(1)
Dischargeability of Federal Income Taxes	167	(2)
Impact of Various Options	169	(5)
Appendix 3: Exemption Laws	174	(19)
Federal vs. State Exemptions	174	(1)
Bankruptcy Code Exemptions	175	(18)
Appendix 4: Your Monthly Budget	193	(4)
Appendix 5: Chapter 13 Worksheet	197	(17)
Glossary	214	(9)
Index	223