Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Repay Your Debts (3rd ed) [Paperback]

Robin Leonard (Author)

Book Description

Series: 3rd ed | Publication Date: February 1998

Scared to answer the phone (or even open the mail) because you're behind on your mortgage, taxes or other bills? Are creditors threatening foreclosure or repossession?

Here's the answer!

*Get out of debt without losing your property

*Stop mounting fees and interest

*Design an affordable repayment plan

*Stop garnishments, attachments and foreclosure

*Make a new start

If you're at risk of losing property, or if you have overwhelming debts that can't be eliminated in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 can offer a solution. It enables you to reorganize your debts into a repayment plan you can afford, without losing any property.

In this compassionate and comprehensive guide, personal finance experts Robin Leonard takes you through the entire Chapter 13 process, step by step, and shows you how to:

*determine if you qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy

*calculate the total amount of your debts and income

*complete the official bankruptcy forms

*devise a Chapter 13 repayment plan

*file your forms with the bankruptcy court

*stop a house foreclosure, make up missed mortgage payments and get back on track

*pay off your tax debt

*pay off your student loan, child support or alimony arrears

*modify your plan when problems come up

*represent yourself in bankruptcy court

*deal with unexpected changes such as new debt, missed payments, loss of income

The 6th edition is completely revised and updated -- it provides the latest legal documents and provides current bankruptcy-exemption laws for your state. Whether you work with a lawyer or file on your own, you'll find the information you need to take charge of your debts in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

This book covers bankruptcies that seek repayment of personal debt under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code. It does not cover cancellation of debt (Chapter 7) or business or farm bankruptcies. For Individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy, see Nolo's How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

An excellent resource... -- Consumers Digest

In Nolo’s usual thorough fashion, here is a guide to an alternative to the typical Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. -- Orange County Register --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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: 368 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; 3rd edition (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873374509
• ISBN-13: 978-0873374507
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,915,885 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.