Introduction
Section 1: Bankruptcy and the Legal System
History and General Information
Bankruptcy Law and Procedure
Section 2: Lawyers
Needing a Lawyer
Selecting a Lawyer
Working with a Lawyer
Firing Your Lawyer
Section 3: Avoiding Bankruptcy
The Effects of Bankruptcy
Income and Expenses Worksheet
Property Worksheet
Debt Assessment
General Guidelines
Alternatives to Bankruptcy
Section 4: Preparing for Bankruptcy
Basic Legal Requirements
Arranging Your Finances
Section 5: Gathering Information
Section 6: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Qualifying for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Understanding Legal Forms
Voluntary Petition
Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments
Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee
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 Debtor(s)
Schedule J—Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s)
Summary of Schedules
Declaration Concerning Debtor’s Schedules
Chapter 7 Individual Debtor’s Statement of Intention
Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means Test Calculation
Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management
Master Address Lists and Mailing Matrix
Filing with the Court Clerk and Notifying Creditors
Creditors’ Meeting
Court Hearing and Approval of Plan
Section 7: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments
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 Debtor(s)
Schedule J—Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s)
Summary of Schedules
Declaration Concerning Debtor’s Schedules
Statement of Financial Affairs
Chapter 13 Plan
Statement of Current Monthly Income and Disposable Income Calculation
Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management
Master Address Lists and Mailing Matrix
Filing with the Court Clerk and Notifying Creditors
Creditors’ Meeting
Court Hearing and Approval of Plan
Section 8: Special Circumstances
Amending Your Paperwork
Changing from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
Lien Avoidance
Redemption
Reaffirming a Debt
Lawsuits
Pensions and Retirement Plans
Section 9: After Your Discharge
Handling Your Finances
Obtaining...
Edward A. Haman Attorney at Law (Author)
Edward A. Haman received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. His undergraduate studies included a major in communication, and minors in business and accounting.
He has practiced law in Florida, Michigan, and Hawaii, and has served as a Michigan Circuit Court domestic relations hearing officer. He has written or coauthored numerous self-help law books, ranging from titles that are national in scope to state-specific subjects, and authored several chapters of the Florida Keystone Series, a desk reference set for attorneys.