An extremely lucid account of the concepts, implications and procedures regarding bankruptcy filings. Describes the four most commonly used forms of bankruptcy and what can and can't be accomplished. Covers the roles of trustees, bankruptcy court, statuses, priorites and the rights of creditors. Contains step-by-step sequences required for each bankruptcy process. The appendix features a significant amount of essential forms needed for or useful in bankruptcy procedures.

Named one of the best business books of 1991 by both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, The Bankruptcy Kit has helped thousands of individuals and small businesses on the brink of financial collapse. Now, readers can turn to the second edition of this bestseller to find complete coverage of the latest-breaking information on this timely topic.

Offers help and provides business owners with the hope to save their company. This work also provides information and tools for owners of small to medium-sized businesses looking to navigate through difficult financial situations.

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.

More Americans filed for bankruptcy during the first quarter of 2003 than in any other previous quarter in history, according to data released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Overall, bankruptcy filings rose 7.1 percent in the 12-month period ending March 31, 2003. The Bankruptcy Kit has helped thousandsof individuals and small businesses on the brink of financial collapse. Now, readers can turn to the third edition to find complete coverage of latest-breaking information affecting those consumers contemplating bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Kit helps readers understand:The different types of bankruptcy The little-known changes in the bankruptcy law How bankruptcy can save one's home from foreclosure Taxes, divorce, and bankruptcy Federal and state exemptions How to make a fresh startThis new edition provides readers with the legal tools, support, and encouragement they need to transform a troubled period into the beginning of a brand-new, financially sound future.

The second edition of the first and only concise introduction to American business insolvency law, this volume provides a succinct overview of American business bankruptcy as it is actually practiced, integrating the law as written and implemented, and now includes coverage of the Small Business Reorganization Act.

Explains when bankruptcy may be necessary, describes the extent of its protection for small business owners, and shows how to fill out the required forms.