How to File Your Own Bankruptcy Book

Using Self-Help Law Books
Introduction
Section 1: Bankruptcy and the Legal System
What is Bankruptcy?
The Legal System
Bankruptcy Law and Procedure
Section 2: Lawyers
Do You Want a Lawyer?
Selecting a Lawyer
Working with a Lawyer
Section 3: Can You Avoid Bankruptcy?
The Effects of Bankruptcy
Income and Expense Worksheet (Form 1)
Property Worksheet (Form 2)
Debt Worksheet (Form 3)
General Guidelines
Alternatives to Bankruptcy
Section 4: Arranging Your Finances
Incurring New Debts
Sell Non-Exempt Property and Buy Exempt Property
Sell Non-Exempt Property and Pay Certain Debts
Defrauding Creditors (Don't!)
Section 5: Gathering Information
Income
Expenses
Property
Debts
Legal Research
Section 6: Court Forms
Understanding Legal Forms
Voluntary Petition (Form 4)
Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (Form 5)
Schedule A-Real Property (Form 7)
Schedule B-Personal Property (Form 8)
Schedule C-Property Claimed as Exempt (Form 9)
Schedule D-Creditors Holding Secured Claims (Form 10)
Schedule E-Creditors Holding Unsecured Priority Claims (Form 11)
Schedule F-Creditors Holding Unsecured Nonpriority Claims (Form 12)
Schedule G-Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (Form 13)
Schedule H-Codebtors (Form 14)
Schedule I-Current Income of Individual Debtor(s) (Form 15)
Schedule J-Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s) (Form 16)
Summary of Schedules (Form 6)
Declaration Concerning Debtor's Schedules (Form 17)
Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 18)
Chapter 7 Individual Debtor's Statement of Intention (Form 19)
Chapter 13 Plan(Form 20)
Mailing Matrix (Form 21)
Section 7: Court Procedures
Filing with the Court Clerk, Etc.
Creditors' Meeting
Court Hearing and Discharge
Section 8: Special Circumstances
Amending Your Paperwork
Changing from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
Lien Avoidance
Redemption
Reaffirming a Debt
Lawsuits
Pensions and Retirement Plans
Section 9: After Your Discharge
Handling Your Finances
Obtaining Credit (If You Dare!)
Appendix A: Exemptions (Federal and State-by-State)
Appendix B: Forms
Index

Author Biography
Edward A. Haman received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. He has practiced law in Florida, Michigan and Hawaii. Since obtaining his law degree, he has engaged in the private practice of law, worked for the State of Florida in areas such as the protection of children and the elderly from abuse and neglect, and served as a domestic relations hearing officer. He has written several books, including How to File Your Own Divorce and How to Write Your Own Premarital Agreement.