Consumer bankruptcy law : a practical guide for students and professionals / Alexander Hernandez

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction - the need for paralegals and the future of consumer bankruptcy law -- The history of bankruptcy law -- Overview of the bankruptcy code --- Summary of Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 -- The court system and the bankruptcy rules and procedure -- "Well, how did I get here?" -- Office protocols and contact with the client for the first time -- The bankruptcy intake -- Bankruptcy intake continued -- Bankruptcy intake - employment, income, and expenses -- Liabilities -- Required documents -- The bankruptcy petition -- Assets and liabilities -- Schedules A/B - personal property & c - exemptions -- Schedules of secured and unsecured creditors -- Schedule I : income -- Schedule J : expenses -- Statement of financial affairs -- Statement of intention for individuals filing under Chapter 7 -- Statement of current monthly income -- Means testing form 122A-2 -- The Chapter 13 basics -- The chapter 13 plan -- Chapter 20 bankruptcy, strategies, winning by losing, and financial purgatory -- Filing a bankruptcy petition -- Post-petition filing -- The 341 meeting of creditors before, during, and after -- Forms.

"This practical and invaluable textbook covers the principles and practice of US consumer bankruptcy law, known as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, for paralegals and legal studies students. Consumer Bankruptcy Law provides step-by-step guidance to 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 US 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"-- Provided by publisher.