The most comprehensive and reliable guide for consumers--by the nation's preeminent bankruptcy attorney. This information-packed guide offers consumers all the help they will need to protect themselves through every step in the bankruptcy process.

Bankruptcy in America is a booming business, with hundreds of thousands of ordinary Americans filing for bankruptcy each year. Is this dramatic growth a result of mushrooming debt or does it reflect a moral decline that permits the middle class to evade their debts? As We Forgive Our Debtors addresses these questions with hard empirical data drawn from bankruptcy court filings. The authors of this multidisciplinary study describe the law and the statistics in clear, nontechnical language, combining a thorough statistical description of the social and economic position of consumer bankrupts with human portraits of the debtors and creditors whose journeys have ended in bankruptcy court. Book jacket.

Any company that does business with consumers will find itself in bankruptcy court at some time during the life of the company. If you are the owner or manager of a business, you know the reality and need to understand how a customer's bankruptcy case will impact your business. Consumer bankruptcy filings have increased dramatically in the last 10 years. Businesses need to understand the bankruptcy process from the position of a creditor facing a consumer debtor. This book will provide an overview of the most common forms of consumer bankruptcy, including a timeline of events, and the creditor's interaction with the various parties along the way. We will also go through the forms every creditor will see in a bankruptcy case, and break them down so a business owner can understand what they're reading. We provide guide points for discussion with the business's attorney. Also see strategic tips and points for maximizing returns through best business practices. Several different industries are covered, including consumer lenders, vendors, community associations, and landlords.

This practical and invaluable textbook covers the principles and practice of U.S. consumer bankruptcy law, known as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, for paralegals and legal studies students. Consumer Bankruptcy Law provides step-by-step guidance on handling a bankruptcy case, from client interviews to preparing and filling the bankruptcy petition, as well as the issues which may arise after. Featuring practical examples throughout, the book ensures that you will become familiar not only with core legal concepts but also with the real-life issues and pitfalls that can occur. Screenshots on how to complete a bankruptcy petition are featured, along with flowcharts of the processes of consumer bankruptcy law in the U.S. and exercises to test your knowledge at the end of each chapter. Including online resources for both students and instructors to benefit from, such as multiple-choice questions and PowerPoints summarizing each chapter, Consumer Bankruptcy Law: A Practical Guide for Students and Professionals will be an indispensable resource for anyone engaging in this important area of legal practice.

Kept up to date by cumulative supplements and updated disks.