How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Having never gone through bankruptcy, I was interested to learn about it as I have a few friends who are facing this situation. This review is from a lay person's perspective. HOW TO FILE FOR CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY is a large workbook sized book of 542 pages. Within these pages are not only well laid out explanations of all of the intricate ins and outs of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, but lots of hints and tips put in key places throughout the book, as if a teacher were sitting next to you anticipating your questions or things that you might or might not think about while you embark on this complicated journey. Here is the chapter breakdown 1. SHOULD YOU FILE FOR CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY? This section explains and overview of bankruptcy in America, who can file, what is involved, does it make sense, and alternatives. 2. THE AUTOMATIC STAY This chapter talks about actions prohibited by the stay, when the stay does not apply and evictions. 3. YOUR PROPERTY AND BANKRUPTCY Property in your bankruptcy estate, what is and is not in your bankruptcy estate and what you can keep. Also it covers selling nonexempt property before you file. 4. YOUR HOUSE How bankruptcy affects a typical homeowner, what if you are behind on mortgage payments, will you lose your home? and ways to prevent home loss. 5. SECURED DEBTS What they are, how Chapter 7 affects secured debts, choosing the best options on ways to deal with secured debt and step by step instructions. 6. COMPLETE AND FILE YOUR BANKRUPTCY PAPERWORK Gathering necessary documents, getting info from the court, married filers information, required forms and documents, Forms 1,6,7,8,21,22A,201, mailing matrix, how to file your papers, and what happens after you file 7. HANDLING YOUR CASE IN COURT Routine bankruptcy procedures, amending your bankruptcy papers, filing change of address, and special problems 8. LIFE AFTER BANKRUPTCY Newly acquired or discovered property, newly discovered creditors, post-bankruptcy attempts to collect debts, attempts to collect clearly discharged debts, attempts to revoke your discharge, postbankruptcy discrimination, rebuilding credit. 9. WHICH DEBTS ARE DISCHARGED Debts that will be discharged and disputes over dischargeability 10. HELP BEYOND THE BOOK Debt relief agencies, bankruptcy petition preparers, bankruptcy lawyers and legal research. GLOSSARY APPENDIXES A State & Federal Exemption charts Doubling Residency requirements for claiming state exemptions New exemptions for retirement accounts Individual state and federal exemption charts B Worksheets and Charts C Tear Out Forms I have taken the time to list out what is in this book because I feel that if you are not sure if this book will work for you or not, it helps to know a general feel for what is covered in the book. I find this book to be well laid out, easy to read and very comprehensive. There is a lot of encouragement and careful outlini

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book! 6 months ago I was contemplating bankruptcy. I searched for a book to help me and decided to buy this one. Honestly, I figured I'd read it, be more confused than ever and have to hire an attorney. That's NOT what happened. I took a weekend and studied every page of this book and took notes. I filled out and filed my bankruptcy petition on my own. Today, I attended my creditor's meeting. Now, in just 2 months, I'll receive my discharge. All WITHOUT a lawyer! Filing bankruptcy without a lawyer is more time consuming, but the money saved is worth it. Just take your time and study this book and you'll be fine. Thank you, Nolo. Buying this book was the best thing I've done this year.

I recently filed for bankruptcy using the book How to File a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. It told me where to file, what schedules to file, how to fill them out,what fees I would have to pay. By doing this, I saved myself over a $1000 that a lawyer quoted me if he were going to do it for me. Though meticulous and a bit detailed,the book is not hard to read. So, if you too want to file your bankruptcy yourself and save yourself a $1000, buy this book! I filed, paid my fees, attended the 5 minute bankruptcy hearing myself--all without any problem. It was a breeze! D.S. Chicago

This book saved me from incurring more debt by avoiding attorney fees. (Why pay money you don't have for something that you can do yourself?) Its straight forward and easily understandable content encouraged me to be confident in filing my own Ch. 7 paperwork. The provided examples came in handy to be able to compare to. Every chapter and appendix, including the tear out forms, are worth their weight in gold. Covers all aspects of before, during, and after filing for bankruptcy. Extremely helpful and knowledgeable, this book is my #1 recommendation to anyone considering filing for Ch. 7 bankruptcy. Thank you, Nolo!

Hi, me again. I filed chapter 13 and converted on over to 7. THis was a very good book as well. Had the conversion form in it. VEry handy. THis one had all the legal forms I could think of to use, great instructions. Actual examples on how to fill them out. questionnaires, and check list. I had all my bases covered here. It is very informative on the automatic stay. Where creditors, can not mess with you anymore. One called so much, they woke up the baby.:( Made me mad. )With these nolo books, I also learned how to file a complaint against these creditors. It really help with eliminating some of the old debts. We really needed to seek this relief. I was able to restart, my economic life again with this relief. It happens to the best of us. Don't be embrassed. THe excemptions were very informational and iron clad true. THey were listed in the back of the book. I used these for my state. I totally trusted what was in the NOLO books. They did me proud. THerefore I was able to keep what I had listed under what exemptions nolo had listed on the list under federal and state exemptions. I guess I was able to totally depend on this book start to finish. I didnot have to go anywhere else, or seek any other forms. It was like one stop shopping. I must say, a judge commented on my organizational skills and asked where I learned to do this, and my work was as good as what has come out of some attorneys office. I said, I thank nolo for this. I happened to have the book with me as a referece. I can depend on NOLO books for what ever comes up, civil. The book gave me the self esteem I needed to actually pull this representing my self off. It was not that bad. Actually it was a challenge. I am now on the high road to financial recovery. Thanks to NOLO press. By the way, doing this on your own is alot cheaper than hiring a attorney. It save me bunches of money. Difference between this one and others, don't even bother with other books. I think the difference with this one, is nolos reputation. I can count on when I buy their books it gets me thru what ever jam, I have encounterd. I have represented myself on several occasions by using nolo books, for self help. Even if the book is a later edition, still iron clad, as far as forms go. I used a 4th editions forms. I had purchased this one a while back before I purchased this one. I tell you I was the envy of my buddy pals. ONe buddy paid tons of money to a local high power attorny, and I still think I came out better. Just really think it thru, on represnting your self. You can do it with this book. THis one also fits anywhere, even one time I threw it in the glove box, cause I had like errands to run, once, it was shoved into the center consol of my truck, even had green beans, from the baby spilled on this one a time or two. Still was in great shape. What is it about NOLO books that take a licking and come out looking great. MUst be the way they are made. Tuff durable. GOtta run, I am being paged b