"Covers new 2005 bankruptcy reform"--Cover

CD-ROM contains an electronic version of the book, personal law and personal finance dictionaries and instructions for linking to Socrates.com.

Includes index.

With changes in the federal bankruptcy laws in effect as of October 17, libraries will want to have up-to-date guidance for their interested patrons. Raum, in addition to being a newscaster at National Public Radio, is a practicing attorney with expertise in personal bankruptcy. She guides those in financial difficulty to an understanding of what bankruptcy is and helps them evaluate it as an option. She explains the differences between Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation) and Chapter 13 (reorganization), as well as alternatives to filing. She provides a basic rundown on the process, including filing the petition and attending the hearing. There is advice on re-establishing credit, choosing and hiring a lawyer, avoiding credit scams, and moving on after bankruptcy. The appendixes provide illustrative worksheets and forms and a 50-state chart on homestead exemptions. Similarly, editors of Socrates Media cover the essential elements of the bankruptcy process. Readers learn what it means to go bankrupt and how it is accomplished. There is an excellent explanation of the homestead exemption rules that may protect a home in a bankruptcy proceeding, and a good chart comparing the old bankruptcy law and the new. There is information on Canadian bankruptcy, and appendixes include a glossary, a list of online resources related to consumer credit, and one for legal search engines. The book comes with a CD that contains an electronic version of the information, a legal dictionary and links to financial management forms and tools (registration required). Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY (Library Journal).

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