Bankruptcy basics
Subtitle: a step-by-step guide for pro bono attorneys, general practitioners, and legal services offices
By: John Rao, Tara Twomey
Contributors: Twomey, Tara; National Consumer Law Center
Publisher: National Consumer Law Center
Published: 2007
Place of publication: [Boston, MA]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 408
ISBN-13: 9781602480094
Subjects: Bankruptcy; Debtor and creditor
Notes: Provides access to companion Web site with practice aids and changes to bankruptcy practice.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Getting started. Who should use this guide ; How to use this guide ; Other Resources; title: Representing consumer debtors. Handling pro bono cases ; Debtor attorney duties ; Debt relief agency provisions; title: Counseling the consumer client. Explaining bankruptcy to clients ; Alternatives to bankruptcy; title: Introduction to consumer bankruptcy. Key bankruptcy concepts ; Overview of Chapter 7 ; Overview of Chapter 13; title: Prefiling considerations. Gathering information ; Choosing the type of bankruptcy ; Timing considerations ; Satisfying the counseling requirement ; Bankruptcy related fees and filing fee waivers; title: Preparing the petition, schedules, and other documents. The Required documents ; Getting the case filed ; Preparing the documents ; Voluntary petition ; Statement of social security number ; Mailing list ; Section 342(b) notice ; Schedule A; title: real property ; Schedule B; title: personal property ; Schedule C; title: exemptions ; Schedules D, E, and F; title: liabilities ; Schedule G; title: executory contracts and unexpired leases ; Schedule H; title: codebtors ; Schedules I and J; title: income and expenses ; Summary of schedules and statistical summary of certain liabilities ; Debtor's declaration ; Statement of financial affairs ; Statement of intention ; Statement of current monthly income, means test, and disposable income ; Disclosure of attorney compensation ; Payment advices; title: Getting the discharge. First steps after case filed ; Representing the debtor at the meeting of creditors ; After the meeting of creditors ; Satisfying the debtor education requirement ; Obtaining and defending the discharge ; Debtor audits; title: Dealing with unsecured debt. Secured debts and reaffirmation ; Redemption ; Avoidance of liens and transfers ; Secured creditors in Chapter 13 ; Saving homes in bankruptcy; title: Using consumer protection laws. Credit reporting rights in a nutshell ; Other dispute rights regarding specific types of transactions ; Special protections for the military: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.