Customer Rating: Summary: Good Reference, But You'll Still Need A Lawyer Comment: As with all Nolo publications, this gives an excellent overview of the subject. However, even the author strongly reccomends using an attorney in conjunction with the book. Customer Rating: Summary: Clear and Comprehensive Resource (2009 edition) Comment: This is simply a very good resource. It clearly explains the difference between the different bankruptcy filings and their use, but it's focus is chapter 7 filing. It has an excellent table of contents and index to help you find information you are looking for quickly and though this book is not a substitute for an excellent attorney (not many people can afford one of those when facing bankruptcy) it may enable you to use such a lawyer's time more efficiently. I'm guessing such an attorney would recommend you get this book. The fact that this book is in it's 15th edition some might say tells us something about how the economy runs, but IMHO it also belies the quality of the book.
I think both individuals and the professionals that help them will find this book a valuable resource. This book is $20 well spent if you are going through this process or helping someone who is. The only thing I would have liked is Appendices B and C on a CD or accessible in electronic format (these are the worksheets, charts and tear out forms). I'm being mean and docking a star for this, but if you are going through bankruptcy get hold of the latest copy of this book.
Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Resource Comment: I prepare bankruptcy petitions for attorneys and bought this book to fill some of the gaps in my knowledge. It's an excellent resource - easy to understand and very thorough. I'm the type of person who wants to know the "why" and this book gives it. Based on the thoroughness of this book, I also purchased Chapter 13 Bankruptcy by NOLO.
If you're using this book to file your own bankruptcy petition, the authors make suggestions as to when it's time to consult an attorney if a certain complexity applies to you. It has an excellent table outlining federal and state exemptions, but these change so you'll need to do an online search before filing. It is my understanding that the bankruptcy system does not favor individuals who file without an attorney. Customer Rating: Summary: Good reference reading before you go see a lawyer. Comment: Nolo press legal advise books have been criticized for being so general in their content that they are not sufficient as a do-it-yourself legal tool. Those critics, and potential readers, should understand that a lawyer is almost always going to be required to properly deal with complex legal issues. Nolo press's books are a great primer for helping readers getting up to speed on a subject... not making them experts on the subject, and certainly not replacing a lawyers advise for complex and state-specific legal advise and services.
That being said, anyone considering bankruptcy should pick up a copy of this book so they can prevent paying a lawyer $250. an hour to explain these concepts to them. If you spend eight hours reading though this book, you will probably save 2 to 4 hours of a lawyers time explaining these concepts to you. I'd say it is well worth the money, considering that function. The text will not provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to file bankruptcy in your state on your own, without a lawyer. Plan on spending anywhere from $2k to $5k for those services. Customer Rating: Summary: good manual Comment: This book is a good (large) manual that provides step by step instruction on how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The book, however, does not aid in filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There is a separate book for that. Overall, book is easy to read, detailed, covers the legalities, and would be very helpful for someone who was considering filing.
Find debt relief by filing bankruptcy with this all-in-one-book!
If you have more debt than you can possibly pay off, the bankruptcy system is there to help -- and with How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you'll find the clear and user-friendly information, advice and forms you need to get through the entire process.
First, the book will help you determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 --and whether it is the best way to deal with your debts. Then you'll find out how to:
stop wage garnishments and attachments
fill out and file all the forms
cancel as much debt as possible
deal with secured debts
keep the maximum amount of property
keep your home, if possible
rebuild credit after bankruptcy
The 15th edition is completely updated and revised to reflect the latest laws and legal forms, plus the line-by-line instructions you need to fill them out. Get new information on foreclosure and exemption requirements, and read the latest court decisions. And, easy-to-use charts make looking up your state's laws a snap.
Please note: This book does not cover business bankruptcies, farm reorganizations or individual repayment plans (Chapter 13). For Chapter 13 bankruptcy, see Nolo's Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Repay Your Debts.
List of Forms Form 1-Voluntary Petition Exhibit C to Voluntary Petition Schedule A-Real Property Schedule B-Personal Property Schedule C-Property Claimed as Exempt Schedule D-Creditors Holding Secured Claims Schedule E-Creditors Holding Unsecured Priority Claims Schedule F-Creditors Holding Unsecured Nonpriority Claims Schedule G-Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases Schedule H-Codebtors Schedule I-Current Income of Individual Debtors(s) Schedule J-Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s) Declaration Concerning Debtor's Schedules Summary of Schedules and Statistical Summary of Certain Liabilities Form 3A-Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments Form 3B-Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Form 7-Statement of Financial Affairs Form 8-Chapter 7 Individual Debtor's Statement of Intention Form 16A-Caption Form B20A-Notice of Motion or Objection Form B21-Statement of Social Security Number Form B22A-Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means Test Calculation Form B23-Debtor's Certification of Completion of Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management Form B201-Notice to Individual Consumer Debtor Under § 342(b) of the Bankruptcy Code Form B240-Reaffirmation Agreement Mailing Matrix Amendment Cover Sheet Notice of Change of Address Supplemental Schedule for Property Acquired After Bankruptcy Discharge Proof of Service by Mail Pleading Paper Exhibit D to Voluntary Petition Form 240B: Order on Reaffirmation Agreement
