Front Matter

• Library: How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Nolo) (2022 Ed.)

22nd Edition

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Attorney Cara O'Neill & Albin Renauer, J.D.

TWENTY-SECOND EDITION JANUARY 2022

Editor CARA O'NEILL

Book Design SUSAN PUTNEY

Proofreading IRENE BARNARD

Index ACCESS POINTS INDEXING

Printing SHERIDAN

ISSN: 2330-3298 (print)

ISSN: 2167-5791 (online)

ISBN: 978-1-4133-2916-2 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4133-2917-9 (ebook)

This book covers only United States law, unless it specifically states otherwise.

Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 by Stephen Elias and Nolo. Copyright © 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 by Nolo. All rights reserved. The NOLO trademark is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Printed in the U.S.A.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission. Reproduction prohibitions do not apply to the forms contained in this product when reproduced for personal use. For information on bulk purchases or corporate premium sales, please contact tradecs@nolo.com.

Please note

Accurate, plain-English legal information can help you solve many of your own legal problems. But this text is not a substitute for personalized advice from a knowledgeable lawyer. If you want the help of a trained professional—and we'll always point out situations in which we think that's a good idea—consult an attorney licensed to practice in your state.

Acknowledgments

A respectful nod must go out to the original author of this book, the late Stephen Elias, who championed the ability of everyone to advocate on their own behalf. And also, to Trenton, Jacqueline, Christian, and Mia just because you're my favorite people.

—Cara O'Neill

About the Authors

Cara O'Neill is a legal editor and writer at Nolo, focusing on bankruptcy and small claims. She authors, coauthors, and edits several Nolo books, including How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, The New Bankruptcy, Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, Solve Your Money Troubles, Credit Repair, and The Foreclosure Survival Guide.

Before joining Nolo, Cara practiced for over 20 years as a civil and criminal trial lawyer. During that time, she also served as administrative law judge mediating disputes in the automotive industry and taught undergraduate and graduate law courses and added bankruptcy to her practice after the 2008 economic downturn. Cara earned her law degree in 1994 from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she served as a law review editor and graduated a member of the Order of the Barristers—an honor society recognizing excellence in courtroom advocacy.

Albin Renauer received his J.D. in...