Table of Contents

• Jurisdiction: United States

Table of Contents

I. Introduction to Consumer Bankruptcy...............1

A. Definition and Goals.................................................................................1

1. Definition of a Consumer Bankruptcy....................................................1

2. The Goals of Consumer Bankruptcy......................................................3

B. Types of Consumer Proceedings......................................................3

1. Chapter 7.................................................................................................................4

2. Chapter 13..............................................................................................................7

C. Commencement of a Case...............................................................10

1. Chapter 7...............................................................................................................10

2. Chapter 13 ............................................................................................................14

D. The Means Test...........................................................................................16

1. General....................................................................................................................16

2. Current Monthly Income...............................................................................18

3. Allowable Monthly Expenses....................................................................19

4. The Nonfiling Spouse....................................................................................25

5. Overcoming a Presumption of Abuse................................................26

E. The Bankruptcy Estate.............................................................................26

1. Property Included in the Estate................................................................26

2. Excluded Property ............................................................................................27

3. Chapter 13 Estate............................................................................................29

4. Exemptions ...........................................................................................................30

5. Lien Avoidance for Exempt Property ................................................... 33

6. Recovery of Exempt Property....................................................................33

7. No-Asset Cases..................................................................................................34

II. Debtors, Trustees and Counsel..........................35

A. Debtor's Duties............................................................................................35

1. Required Filings..................................................................................................35

2. Intentions Regarding Secured Debts..................................................36

3. Purchase Money Security Interests.......................................................36

4. Cooperation with the Trustee ..................................................................37

5. Tax Returns............................................................................................................37

6. Chapter 13 Annual Financial Disclosures........................................38

7. Residential Eviction Actions......................................................................... 38

8. Proof of Identification....................................................................................39

B. The Trustee's Role in Bankruptcy Case Management.....39

1. The Case Trustee...............................................................................................39

2. The U.S. Trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator................................44

C. The Role of Counsel for the Debtor.............................................46

1. Petition, Schedules and Pleadings........................................................46

2. Debt-Relief Agency.........................................................................................48

3. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9011 and Other Sanctions....................................52

III. Filing a Bankruptcy Case....................................53

A. Petition...