Personal Bankruptcy Laws For Dummies

With tips on understanding -- and surviving -- the new bankruptcy laws If you're considering bankruptcy, you need straightforward answers and reliable advice. This handy guide covers it all -- so you can get your finances in line and your life back on track. This updated new edition covers everything you need to know about the new bankruptcy law and includes even better resources. Don't get desperate -- get out of debt instead! Discover how to * Weigh the consequences of bankruptcy * Manage your spending * Find professional help you can trust * Decide on the right type of bankruptcy * Pass the means test * Keep more of your stuff

With tips on understanding -- and surviving -- the new bankruptcy lawsIf you're considering bankruptcy, you need straightforward answers and reliable advice. This handy guide covers it all -- so you can get your finances in line and your life back on track. This updated new edition covers everything you need to know about the new bankruptcy law and includes even better resources. Don't get desperate -- get out of debt instead!Discover how to* Weigh the consequences of bankruptcy* Manage your spending* Find professional help you can trust* Decide on the right type of bankruptcy* Pass the means test* Keep more of your stuff

Introduction 1Part I: Bankruptcy: The Big Picture 7Chapter 1: Considering Bankruptcy 9Chapter 2: Stopping the Bleeding 27Chapter 3: Meeting the Players 47Chapter 4: Deciding Which Type of Bankruptcy Is Best for You57Chapter 5: Confronting the Means Test 69Chapter 6: Getting from Here to There: The Bankruptcy Process91Part II: Avoiding Bankruptcy 115Chapter 7: Considering Alternatives to Bankruptcy 117Chapter 8: Handling Bill Collectors 135Chapter 9: Negotiating with the IRS 145Part III: Keeping Your Stuff 153Chapter 10: Understanding Which Assets Are Off Limits toCreditors 155Chapter 11: Dealing with Secured Debts 173Chapter 12: Saving Your Home 183Part IV: Getting Rid of (Most of) Your Debt 199Chapter 13: Lingering Obligations 201Chapter 14: A House of Cards: Wiping Out Credit-Card Debts215Chapter 15: Give unto Caesar: Using Bankruptcy to Deal with TaxDebts 223Chapter 16: The Devil Made Me Do It: Fines, Fraud, and OtherFoibles 237Chapter 17: Till Debt Due Us Part: Bankruptcy and Divorce247Chapter 18: Student Loans and Other Mind Games 257Part V: Strategies for a Successful Bankruptcy 271Chapter 19: Avoiding Troubles with Your Trustee 273Chapter 20: Living on the Edge in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy 283Part VI: Enjoying Your Fresh Start 305Chapter 21: Repairing Your Credit 307Chapter 22: Staying Out of Financial Trouble 319Part VII: The Part of Tens 327Chapter 23: Ten Common Bankruptcy Mistakes 329Chapter 24: Ten Things You Can Do Right Now to Ease YourFinancial Woes 333Chapter 25: Ten Common Questions about Bankruptcy 337Appendix: Homestead Exemption Laws 343Index 347