Stephen Elias & Albin Renauer 
How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy 

If you’re overwhelmed by debt, the bankruptcy system can help. How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy provides the clear information and step-by-step instructions you’ll need to get through the entire process without an attorney.The book will help you determine whether you qualify for relief and whether filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy will help you solve your debt issues. You’ll also learn how to: stop wage garnishments and lawsuits wipe out as much debt as possible deal with debts you’ve secured with collateral keep as much property as possible, and rebuild credit after bankruptcy The 20th edition is revised to include instructions that will help you complete the new user-friendly bankruptcy forms, changes to state exemption laws (which determine what property bankruptcy filers can keep), and important legal updates. 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.

Table of Content

1. Should You File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?2. The Automatic Stay3. Your Property and Bankruptcy4. Your House5. Secured Debts6. Complete and File Your Bankruptcy Paperwork7. Handling Your Case in Court8. Life After Bankruptcy9. Which Debts Are Discharged10. Help Beyond the Book Glossary Appendixes State and Federal Exemption Charts Worksheets, Charts, and Forms Index

About the author

Cara O’Neill is a legal editor and writer at Nolo, focusing on bankruptcy, consumer credit, and debt. She writes for several sites, including Nolo.com, Lawyers.com, All Law.com, and The Bankruptcy Site.org. She also edits a variety of Nolo book titles and updated Nolo’s How to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, 19th edition.Before joining Nolo, Cara practiced for over 20 years in civil litigation and bankruptcy. During that time, she served as an Administrative Law Judge mediating disputes in the automotive industry, taught undergraduate and graduate law courses, and served as house counsel for a large insurance company. She earned her law degree in 1994 from the University of the Pacific, Mc George School of Law, where she served as a law review editor and graduated a member of the Order of the Barristers—an honor society recognizing excellence in courtroom advocacy. Cara maintains a bankruptcy practice in Roseville, California at the Law Office of Cara O’Neill.