How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

This all-in-one book can help you find relief from overwhelming debt! 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 and rebuild credit after bankruptcy. The 14th edition is updated and revised to reflect the latest laws and legal forms, plus the line-by-line instructions you need to fill them out. Easy-to-use charts make looking up the laws of your state 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.

Stephen R. Elias is an attorney and former associate publisher at Nolo, as well as current President of the National Bankruptcy Law Project. He is the author of many Nolo books, including recently The New Bankruptcy. Other titles include Special Needs Trusts and How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. He is also one of the original authors/designers of Nolo's bestselling WillMaker software. Steve holds a law degree from Hastings College of Law and was a practicing attorney in California, New York and Vermont before joining Nolo. He has been featured in such major media as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Good Morning America, 20/20, Money magazine, and more.

Robin Leonard is a former attorney who gave up the law to become a rabbi. She is the author of many Nolo books including Money Troubles: Legal Strategies to Cope with Your Debts and Credit Repair. She also helped write How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples.

After receiving his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1985, Albin Renauer worked for various public-interest law firms in the bay area and as a staff attorney for Chief Justice Rose Bird of the California Supreme Court. He spent 17 years as an editor at Nolo, where he helped create numerous books and software programs, including the bestselling WillMaker. He also edited Law on the Net, the first online directory of legal resources and was the architect of Nolo's Webby Award winning website during the dot-com boom. Currently, Albin is an independent web and database developer and Webby Award judge. His latest project is LegalConsumer.com, an online companion to his How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy designed to help debtors file for bankruptcy.