Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals

438 Pages·011.151 MB·English

by  David L. Buchbinder

Basic Bankruptcy Law
for Paralegals
2
PARALEGAL SERIES
Basic Bankruptcy Law
for Paralegals
Tenth Edition
David L. Buchbinder
3
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eISBN 978-1-4548-8026-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Buchbinder, David L., author.
Title: Basic bankruptcy law for paralegals / David L. Buchbinder.
Description: Tenth edition. | New York : Wolters Kluwer, 2017. | Includes
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017000925| ISBN 9781454873402 | ISBN 145487340X
Subjects: LCSH: Bankruptcy—United States. | Legal assistants—United States—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Classification: LCC KF1524.85 .B758 2017 | DDC 346.7307/8—
dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017000925
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Summary of Contents
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Paralegals and the Bankruptcy System
Part I. History and Introduction
Chapter 1. A Short History of Bankruptcy
Chapter 2. Introduction to the Bankruptcy Code
Chapter 3. Understanding the Client
Chapter 4. Filing a Petition
Chapter 5. Chapter 1—General Provisions
Chapter 6. Needs Based Bankruptcy or “Means Testing”
Chapter 7. Useful Definitions—Section 101
Part II. Debtor Relief
Chapter 8. Overview of Chapter 7
Chapter 9. Conversion and Dismissal
Chapter 10. Exemptions
Chapter 11. Trustees, Examiners, and Creditors’ Committees
Chapter 12. Preparing a Proceeding for a Trustee
Part III. Bankruptcy Litigation
Chapter 13. The Automatic Stay—11 U.S.C. §362
Chapter 14. Objections to Discharge and the Dischargeability of Individual Debts
Chapter 15. Property of the Estate and Turnover Complaints
Chapter 16. Avoiding Powers—Introduction
Chapter 17. Avoidable Preferences—11 U.S.C. §547
Chapter 18. Fraudulent and Postpetition Transfers
Part IV. Liquidation and Claims
Chapter 19. Use, Sale, or Lease of Property
Chapter 20. Executory Contracts and Leases
Chapter 21. Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Property of the Estate
Chapter 22. Claims
Chapter 23. Administration
Part V. Reorganization Proceedings
Chapter 24. Chapter 13: Reorganization Proceedings
Chapter 25. Chapter 11: Introduction and Administration
Chapter 26. Chapter 11: Elements of a Plan
Chapter 27. Chapter 11: Plan Confirmation
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Chapter 28. Chapter 12: Reorganization Proceedings
Part VI. Review
Chapter 29. Introduction to Courts and Jurisdiction
Chapter 30. Statements and Schedules Tutorial
Chapter 31. Means Testing Tutorial
Chapter 32. Researching Bankruptcy Issues
Appendix. Noticed Motions and Ex Parte Applications
Glossary
Table of Cases
Table of Statutes
Table of Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Table of Secondary Authorities
Index
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Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Paralegals and the Bankruptcy System
A. Role of the Paralegal
B. Common Activities
Part I. History and Introduction
Chapter 1. A Short History of Bankruptcy
A. Origins of Bankruptcy Systems
B. Bankruptcy in the Middle Ages
C. Early English Insolvency Laws
D. Bankruptcy in the United States
Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 2. Introduction to the Bankruptcy Code
A. Organization of the Bankruptcy Code and a Note on the Text
B. Overview of the Bankruptcy Code
C. The Bankruptcy System
D. Composition Agreements—A Bankruptcy Alternative
Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3. Understanding the Client
A. The Client Interview
1. Intake
2. The Interview
B. The Fact Pattern
C. “Cash on the Rocks”
D. Initial Interview
Discussion Question
Chapter 4. Filing a Petition
A. Gatekeeper Provisions in Individual Bankruptcies
B. Voluntary Petitions
C. Involuntary Petitions
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 4 Checklist
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercises
Chapter 5. Chapter 1—General Provisions
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A. Notice and a Hearing
B. Rules of Grammatical Construction
C. Powers of the Court
D. Statutes of Limitations
E. Who May Be a Debtor
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 5 Checklist
Discussion Questions
Chapter 6. Needs Based Bankruptcy or “Means Testing”
A. Introduction
B. Current Monthly Income
C. Deductions
D. Special Circumstances
E. “Totality of Circumstances”
F. Procedure
G. Needs Based Bankruptcy Examples
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 6 Checklist
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercises
Chapter 7. Useful Definitions—Section 101
A. Affiliates
B. Claim
C. Community Claim
D. Corporation
E. Creditor
F. Current Monthly Income
G. Custodian
H. Debt
I. Debt Relief Agency
J. Domestic Support Obligations
K. Equity Security Holder
L. Individual with Regular Income
M. Insiders
N. Insolvent
O. Judicial Lien
P. Lien
Q. Median Family Income
R. Person
S. Security
T. Security Agreement
U. Single Asset Real Estate
V. Statutory Lien
W. Transfer
Summary
Discussion Questions
Part II. Debtor Relief
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Chapter 8. Overview of Chapter 7
A. Employment and Compensation of Professionals
B. Bankruptcy Petition Preparers
C. The Chapter 7 Process
D. Rule 2004 Examinations
E. Discharge and Reaffirmation
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 8 Checklist
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercises
Chapter 9. Conversion and Dismissal
A. Conversion
B. Dismissal
Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercise
Chapter 10. Exemptions
A. Background
B. Selecting Exemptions
C. Federal Exemptions
D. Unaffected Claims
E. Lien Avoidance to Preserve Exemption
F. Claiming and Objecting to Exemptions
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 10 Checklist
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercises
Chapter 11. Trustees, Examiners, and Creditors’ Committees
A. Trustees
B. The United States Trustee
C. The Trustee’s Duties
D. Debtor-in-Possession
E. Official Creditors’ Committees
F. Chapter 11 Trustees and Examiners
G. Ombudsman
Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Practice Exercise
Chapter 12. Preparing a Proceeding for a Trustee
A. Prefiling Actions
B. Postfiling Actions
Summary
Chapter 12 Checklist
Discussion Questions
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