How To File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

by Elias, Stephen; Renauer, Albin; Leonard, Robin

• ISBN13: 9781413301793
• ISBN10: 1413301797
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-05-02
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

For over a decade, this friendly, comprehensive guide has helped more than 300,000 people cope with their debts. How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy takes you through the filing process, giving you the practical advice and official bankruptcy forms you'll need. Use How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy to:
- decide if bankruptcy is the right step to take
- determine if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- fill out and file all forms
- cancel the largest amount of debt possible
- identify which debts will survive bankruptcy
- keep the maximum amount of property
- deal with secured debts
- represent yourself in routine bankruptcy hearings
- dismiss your case if you change your mind about filing
- rebuild your credit after bankruptcy

Author Biography

Stephen Elias is a bankruptcy attorney and author of many Nolo titles, including Trademark and Patent, Copyright and Trademark. Albin Renauer worked for various public-interest law firms before becoming a Nolo author. Robin Leonard is the author of many Nolo books, including Solve Your Money Troubles, Credit Repair and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Table of Contents

Introduction: How to Use This Book
Quick Answers to Your Bankruptcy Concerns	1/2	(1)
What This Book Doesn't Cover	1/2	(1)
Icons	1/3	(1)
Getting Additional Help	1/3	(1)
Should You File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy in America---The Big Picture	1/3	(1)
An Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy	1/4	(1)
When Chapter 7 Bankruptcy May Not Be Appropriate	1/8	(1)
Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Make Economic Sense?	1/12	(1)
Will the Automatic Stay Help?	1/16	(1)
Alternatives to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy	1/17	(1)
Your Property and Bankruptcy
Property in Your Bankruptcy Estate	2/2	(1)
Property You Can Keep	2/7	(1)
Same-sex couples	2/15	(1)
Selling Nonexempt Property Before You File	2/15	(1)
Filling in and Filing the Bankruptcy Forms
Finding the Right Bankruptcy Court	3/2	(1)
Before You Begin: Get Some Information From the Court	3/2	(1)
Bankruptcy Forms Checklist	3/4	(1)
Tips for Completing Forms	3/5	(1)
Form 1---Voluntary Petition	3/6	(1)
Form 6---Schedules	3/12	(1)
Form 7---Statement of Financial Affairs	3/52	(1)
Form 8---Chapter 7 Individual Debtor's Statement of Intention	3/66	(1)
Mailing Matrix	3/69	(1)
How to File Your Papers	3/70	(1)
Effect of Filing	3/72	(1)
Handling Your Case in Court
Routine Bankruptcy Procedures	4/2	(1)
Amending Your Bankruptcy Papers	4/11	(1)
Filing a Change of Address	4/15	(1)
Special Problems	4/16	(1)
Life After Bankruptcy
Newly Acquired or Discovered Property	5/2	(1)
Newly Discovered Creditors	5/3	(1)
Post-Bankrupcty Attempts to Collect Debts	5/4	(1)
Attempts to Collect Clearly Discharged Debts	5/6	(1)
Attempts to Revoke Your Discharge	5/7	(1)
Post-Bankruptcy Discrimination	5/7	(1)
Rebuilding Credit	5/9	(1)
Your House
How Bankruptcy Affects a Typical Homeowner	6/2	(1)
If You're Behind on Your Mortgage Payments	6/4	(1)
Will the Trustee Sell Your Home?	6/7	(1)
Ways to Prevent the Loss of Your House in Bankruptcy	6/13	(1)
Secured Debts
Secured Debts	7/2	(1)
What Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Does to Secured Debts	7/4	(1)
Ways to Deal With Secured Debts in Bankruptcy	7/6	(1)
Choosing the Best Options	7/16	(1)
Step-by-Step Instructions	7/21	(1)
Nondischargeable Debts
Debts Not Discharged Unless an Exception Applies	8/2	(1)
Debts Discharged Unless the Creditor Objects	8/10	(1)
Help Beyond the Book
Bankruptcy Petition Preparers	9/2	(1)
Bankruptcy Lawyers	9/3	(1)
Legal Research	9/5	(6)
Appendixes
Appendix 1: State and Federal Exemption Tables
Appendix 2: Exemption Glossary
Appendix 3: Tear-Out Forms
Index