According to the US Courts Bankruptcy Statistics Web site, more than 801,000 bankruptcies were filed with U.S. courts in 2007, with almost 97 percent of those being personal, non-business filings. The volume of those who face the stress that coincides with bankruptcy filing continues to grow and it can be hard to discern between the six different forms of common bankruptcy and how each might affect you or your business. This book was written with the goal of providing a complete handbook to understanding the complex bankruptcy laws of the United States in an easy-to-read format that will allow you to move forward in your life, either through the bankruptcy process or through viable financial alternatives that help you to avoid filing. Before you even approach the bankruptcy process, you will learn if there is anything left you can do to salvage your finances. You will learn how to manage existing debt in avoidance of bankruptcy and how to handle debt collectors, and also acknowledging which of the debts that you hold are the most important. You will learn how to decide when bankruptcy is the best or only option left at your disposal, including what a bankruptcy actually entails, from the first piece of paperwork you sign to the lasting effect it has on your credit. You will learn how to deal with the emotional and social implications of bankruptcy and also what aspects of your life will immediately change as a result. The six different kinds of bankruptcies are outlined in full detail with walkthroughs of what each format offers and when you can utilize them to your advantage. Specifically, detailed instructions for liquidating debt with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and using a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to rebuild your life are given as well in their own chapters. You will learn what it takes to find and utilize a qualified consumer bankruptcy attorney and exactly what to expect throughout the process. For businesses that are navigating the complex corridor of bankruptcy filing, information is provided about the specific processes you must follow for your specific kind of business. You will learn how to choose which Chapter to file under and what you must do to protect your personal assets during a business bankruptcy. Finally, a special section is included to guide you through the harrowing post-bankruptcy process, helping you to rebuild your credit after the process with a timeline of how long you can expect to wait before you start to regain the standing you originally had. You will be given details and tips on how to manage your finances in the future, and interviews taken from bankruptcy experts and individuals with personal experience will help you know exactly what you can expect before, during, and after your bankruptcy. For anyone at the point in their life where they are considering a bankruptcy to solve their financial problems, this guide is a must have tool, providing an easy to read, comprehensive overview of the entire process.

According to the US Courts Bankruptcy Statistics almost 97 percent of bankruptcies filed with U.S. courts were personal, non-business filings.

The Small Business Owner's Guide to Bankruptcy explains options relating to Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for small business owners, as well as suggesting ways to rebuild after filing for bankruptcy.

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.

Don't get down, get started instead-with Fresh StartBankruptcy Well over a million Americans suffer the trauma of bankruptcy everyyear. But many don't know that bankruptcy may be the idealopportunity to rein in their out-of-control finances, get back ontheir feet, and start over anew. Fresh Start Bankruptcy is a friendly and non-intimidating guidethat walks you step by step through the filing process and providesthe sympathetic, expert advice you need to survive the ordeal.Attorneys Deborah Herman and Robin Bodiford provide the informedperspective that makes tough decisions simple. They'll help youdecide whether you should retain legal counsel or move forward onyour own. And if you do decide to go it alone, you'll find all theprofessional advice you need to make the process as quick andpainless as possible. You'll learn which chapter to file and how todo it, how to protect your assets and deal with creditors, how torepair your credit, and how to navigate bankruptcy court. Personal anecdotes included in the book prove that people of allwalks of life have gone through the process and come out strongerthan before-- and you can too! So, no matter how your financialtroubles came about, stop worrying and start over with the positiveoutlook and thoughtful guidance you'll find only in Fresh StartBankruptcy.

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.