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  Your Online Guide to Legal Information and Legal Services in Pennsylvania  
 
Consumer Consumer > 
Bankruptcy
  Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
There are 26 resources  
Online Resources, Self Help Resources and Forms - (1)
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network - (7)
Information from Other Legal Aid Providers - (1)
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations - (6)
Information from Government Agencies - (7)
Information from Private Organizations - (1)
Bankruptcy Courts - (3)
  Online Resources, Self Help Resources and Forms
 
   Bankruptcy Pro Bono Resource Locator (Separate Website)
The American Bankruptcy Institute provides this interactive, national locator for consumers needing pro bono bankruptcy services. The website lists more than 600 providers nationally which can be filtered by clicking on a state within the interactive national map. You will be led to the name, location and essential details for all bankruptcy pro bono providers near you, including any critical limitations on the services provided.
By: American Bankruptcy Institute
  
   
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  Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
 
   A Guide to Bankruptcy
An overview of consumer bankruptcy law.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Bankruptcy - What It Can and What It Can't Do For You
Informational brochure on bankruptcy, what it can do for you and what it cannot do for you, what different types of bankruptcies to consider, what property can I keep, etc.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Bankruptcy (Separate Website)
Information on bankruptcy procedures and law
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
   North Penn Legal Services Bankruptcy Clinic Video
This video from North Penn Legal Services features a question and answer session from a Bankruptcy Clinic held by North Penn Legal Services addressing issues relating to bankruptcy proceedings and the effects of bankruptcy on various types of debts. (41:01)
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   Civil Issues Relating to Bankruptcy (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. (6/14/07) This episode features information on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, and recent changes in federal bankruptcy law. (28:14)

Host - Jennifer Krause, NWLS Attorney
Guests - Federal Bankruptcy Judge Warren Bentz, Joy Smith, NWLS Attorney.

Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Bankruptcy Counseling Requirements
This handout provides an overview about the credit counseling and debtor education now required in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Debt Collection Remedies for Consumers (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA.

6/21/2008 - Vince Brocki, Northwestern Legal Services Resource Developer interviews Andrea Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney regarding remedies consumers have regarding debt collection efforts, an explanation of secured vs. unsecured debts, how a credit counselor can help, and info on filing bankruptcy. (22:05)

Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
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  Information from Other Legal Aid Providers
 
   Bankruptcy Class - Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (Video) (Separate Website)
The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have partnered for over 10 years to provide free legal information to their community. Boyd students, supervised by attorneys, teach the informational classes.

This video of their Bankruptcy class, offered in seven continuously running segments, was generously produced by the staff of Vegas PBS.

Although some parts of this class discusses Nevada law (particularly the discusssion of Exemptions), which does not apply to Pennsylvania residents, the majority of the discusssion concerns federal bankruptcy law which applies across the United States.
By: Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
   
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  Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
 
   Personal Bankruptcy (Separate Website)
Information on bankruptcy for individuals and families.
By: Erie County Bar Association
  
   
   Frequently Asked Questions - Bankruptcy (Separate Website)
Answers to common questions on bankruptcy.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
  
   
   When should I file for bankruptcy? (Separate Website)
Bankruptcy information from the Allegheny County Bar Association
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
  
   
   If I file for bankruptcy, do I get to keep any possessions? (Separate Website)
Bankruptcy information from the Allegheny County Bar Association
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
  
   
   Business Entity Bankruptcy (Separate Website)
General information about bankrutcy issues for a buisness entity.
By: Erie County Bar Association
  
   
   Advantage Credit Counseling/Consumer Credit Counseling (Erie County) (Separate Website)
Information on free credit counseling services in Erie County.
By: Erie County Bar Association
  
   
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  Information from Government Agencies
 
   Bankruptcy Basics (Separate Website)
This pamphlet provides basic information on different aspects of the federal bankruptcy laws. It also provides a basic explanation of the different chapters under which a bankruptcy case may be filed and answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the bankruptcy process.

On April 20, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA"). BAPCPA made substantial changes to the Bankruptcy Code. Significant revisions to this online version of Bankruptcy Basics have been made to account for BAPCPA's changes to the Code. October 2005, Third Edition.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary

  
   
   Bankruptcy Basics (Video) (Separate Website)
Nine-part video presentation from the U.S. Courts providing an overview of the basic bankruptcy process. Developed from the Federal Judiciary publication "Bankruptcy Basics."
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   The Discharge in Bankruptcy (Separate Website)
This information from "Bankruptcy Basics" attempts to answer some basic questions about the discharge available to individual debtors.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
  
   
   Approved Credit Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
From U.S. Trustee Program. Credit counseling agencies listed on this Web page are nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies approved to provide counseling that individuals must take before they are eligible to file for bankruptcy protection, 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).

Many of the approved agencies listed on this Web site may also provide other counseling services to assist individuals not considering bankruptcy. The United States Trustee Program has not reviewed nor approved the content of these other services.
By: U.S. Trustee Program
  
   
   Approved Credit Counseling Agencies - Full Listing (All States and Territories) (Separate Website)
From the U.S. Trustee Program. Credit counseling agencies listed on this Web page are nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies approved to provide counseling that individuals must take before they are eligible to file for bankruptcy protection, 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).

Many of the approved agencies listed on this Web site may also provide other counseling services to assist individuals not considering bankruptcy. The United States Trustee Program has not reviewed nor approved the content of these other services.

This listing also includes credit counseling agencies that provide counseling services in languages other than English.
By: U.S. Trustee Program
  
   
   Filing for Bankruptcy Without an Attorney (Separate Website)
Information from the federal judiciary for individual sho are thinking about filing for bankruptcy without the assistance of an attorney.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
  
   
   Bankruptcy Resources (Separate Website)
Listing of Bankrupcy Resources from the U.S. Courts website including information on, filing fees; forms; Credit Counseling Agencies and Debtor Education Providers; trustees; taxes; and more.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
  
   
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  Information from Private Organizations
 
   ConsumerBankruptcyCounseling.info (Separate Website)
Under federal law, you are required to obtain credit counseling from a qualified non-profit agency before filing for bankruptcy. This website will allow you to complete the counseling requirement online, and receive your certificate of counseling at no charge.
By: Tides Center
  
   
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  Bankruptcy Courts
 
   United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
Court website.
  
   
   United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
Court website.
  
   
   United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
Court website.
  
   
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