Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time [Paperback]

Robin Leonard J.D. (Author), Stephen Elias Attorney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1413308554 | ISBN-13: 978-1413308556 | Publication Date: May 30, 2008 | Edition: 9

Reduce your debts, save your property -- and start over! Are you behind on your mortgage, taxes or other bills? Are creditors threatening foreclosure or repossession? This book will show you how to save your house, car and other assets with Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. It lets you cancel your debts and pay off the rest with an affordable repayment plan.

And now you can avoid attorney fees and do it yourself -- let Chapter 13 Bankruptcy show you how to:

determine if you qualify for Chapter 13

stop a house foreclosure

estimate monthly payments

devise an acceptable repayment plan

complete and file forms

make up missed mortgage payments

pay off other debts

represent yourself before a bankruptcy judge or trustee

The 9th edition is completely rewritten to reflect the recent (and massive) changes to federal bankruptcy law, as well as the latest bankruptcy exemption laws of your state. It also includes the most current legal documents and instructions on filling them out.

Whether you work with a lawyer or file on your own, you'll find everything you need to take charge of your debts in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Please note: This book does not cover business bankruptcies, farm reorganizations or individual repayment plans (Chapter 13). For Chapter 7 bankruptcy, see Nolo's How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. (20080202)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is the best book going if you choose to file alone or if you want background on the Chapter 13 process. (Gary Klein 20090305)

"An excellent book that can guide you through the [Chapter 13] process." (Forbes Magazine 20080203)

"In Nolo's usual thorough fashion, here is a guide to an alternative to the typical Chapter 7 Bankruptcy." (Orange County Register 20090101)

"Contains many tear-out forms, federal and state exemptions charts, and the most recent legal documents and instructions on how to fill them out." (Reference & Research Book News 20090101)

An excellent resource... (Consumers Digest 20090101)

An excellent book that can guide you through the [Chapter 13] process. (Forbes Magazine 20090101)

In Nolo's usual thorough fashion, here is a guide to an alternative to the typical Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. (Orange County Register 20090101)

Contains many tear-out forms, federal and state exemptions charts, and the most recent legal documents and instructions on how to fill them out. (Reference & Research Book News )

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy will save you a fortune in attorney fees and confusion. (The Midwest Book Review )

From the Author

Kathleen Michon edits and contributes to all of Nolo's bankruptcy books. She will be a co-author on the next edition of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, coming in the spring of 2012. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 9 edition (May 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413308554
• ISBN-13: 978-1413308556
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Save Me over $3000 in Legal Fees, May 23, 2009

By 

D. Litchman (Escondido, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time (Paperback)

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time

I needed to file Chapter 13 to pay off approximately $7000 in delinquent taxes that could not be discharged in a Chapter 7. I contacted several local Chapter 13 attorneys in the San Diego area for free consultations. Each one wanted to charge at least $3500.00 to represent me and wanted between $1000.00 to $1500.00 to be paid prior to them filing the bankruptcy paperwork with the court. If I had that kind of money, I would have been trying to work out something with the IRS.

I bought this book and read it cover to cover several times. When I knew I was ready, I completed the forms required to file in my district, California Southern District. My expense was $274.00 in cash for the filing fees. I filed on 4/17/09 and had my 341(a) hearing on 5/22/09. The court schedules a hearing at the same time for many people.

During the hearing, I was getting nervous as several people that were represented by attorneys were called in front of the Chapter 13 Trustee ahead of me and were either having their hearings continued to a new date or having a Confirmation hearing scheduled due to discrepancies in their filed paperwork (this was paperwork prepared and filed by their attorneys!!!). In the California Southern District, a 341(a)hearing is rescheduled or a Confirmation hearing is scheduled if the Chapter 13 Trustee thinks there is a presumption of abuse of the bankruptcy laws, objects to the plan or a creditor has an objection to the plan.

When I was called up, I only had to answer a few basic questions (name, address, what do you do you do for a living, how much are you paid, is that hourly, weekly, monthly and how many hours per day, week or month do you work) and provide copies of my IRS tax returns for 4 years (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008)to verify that I have had stable income. The Chapter 13 Trustee stated he did not find a presumption of abuse, recommended that my plan be confirmed and is submitting the Request for Plan Confirmation to the Chapter 13 bankruptcy judge for sign-off. It took less than 10 minutes.

I could not have done it without the invaluable assistance of this book.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top reference both for filers and for public library reference sections., March 4, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy : Repay Your Debts (11th Edition) (Paperback)

If you're behind on your bills and creditors are threatening, you can consider filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection - and the 8th updated edition of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy will save you a fortune in attorney fees and confusion. Learn how to determine qualifications, understanding the law's protections, fill out and file forms, pay off debts and represent yourself in court: it's been completely rewritten to reflect the latest changes to federal bankruptcy law and includes all the latest facts, making this a top reference both for filers and for public library reference sections.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good job, May 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Repay Your Debts, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

The author did a good job organizing the information in this book.

I would also recommend Surviving Financial Disasters by Tiffany R. Love which comes with a CD ROM and actual sample court documents from someone who has been there and done that. Also tells what to expect after you filed your papers.