The Fifth Abridged Edition of Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals builds on previous editions and offers a concise integration of theory and practice as a basis for improved learning. It presents readable and succinct descriptions of the bankruptcy system, with an emphasis on the paralegal's role at every stage of a bankruptcy proceeding. Like its parent text, the Abridged Edition is written and formatted for paralegal students who need a practical introduction to the code and rules of bankruptcy law. It focuses on the nuts and bolts of a Chapter 7 consumer bankruptcy case to provide paralegals with a general understanding of other types of bankruptcy processes.

New to the Fifth Edition:

• Coverage of the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 throughout the book
• Updated Official Bankruptcy Forms
• Citations to recent and noteworthy case opinions
• The most recent statutory adjustment of dollar exemption amounts (and other provisions) in the Bankruptcy Code

Professors and students will benefit from:

• Straightforward writing that explains basic consumer bankruptcy in ordinary English
• A helpful overview of the bankruptcy code and rules
• A comprehensive introduction to client interview skills and the client interview process
• An integrated narrative fact pattern allowing students to learn the topic of each chapter interactively
• Step-by-step guidance through the paralegal's role at every stage of the bankruptcy proceeding
• Simple instructions for completing and submitting documentation in a timely manner
• Content focused on consumer bankruptcy, primarily from the debtor's perspective
• Means testing concepts covered in a dedicated chapter
• A useful tutorial on means testing procedure
• Abundant learning aids, including:
  • Examples, procedural checklists, summaries of the law, discussion questions, learning objectives, and a glossary of common bankruptcy terms