Bankruptcy
Legal Information
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies for Pennsylvania
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 does not endorse or recommend any particular credit counseling agency or debtor education provider, or guarantee the quality of its counseling or instructional services.
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies - Full Listing (All States and Territories)
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). This listing also includes credit counseling agencies that provide counseling services in languages other than English.
Bankruptcy Counseling Requirements
Information from Northwestern Legal Services providing an overview about the credit counseling and debtor education now required in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
Filing for Bankruptcy: What to Know About Credit Counseling
If you plan to file for bankruptcy protection, you must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before you file. The Federal Trade Commission provides information on that requirement and how to satisfy it.
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
U.S. Bankruptcy Forms - National
Find a national federal court form. National court forms can be used in all federal courts. Each federal court also maintains their own local court forms. Use the Federal Court Finder at https://www.uscourts.gov/federal-court-finder/search to find a federal court and their local court forms.
A Guide to Bankruptcy
An overview of consumer bankruptcy law from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Bankruptcy - What It Can and What It Can't Do For You
Information from Northwestern Legal Services 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.
Bankruptcy Counseling Requirements
Information from Northwestern Legal Services providing an overview about the credit counseling and debtor education now required in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy: What it Really Means : 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)
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses.
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 on 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)
Business Entity Bankruptcy
General information from the Erie County Bar Association about bankruptcy issues for a business entity.
Personal Bankruptcy
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on bankruptcy for individuals and families.
Bankruptcy Class - Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (Video)
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 discussion of Exemptions), which does not apply to Pennsylvania residents, the majority of the discussion concerns federal bankruptcy law which applies across the United States.
Bankruptcy Overview (Video)
This educational video from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky and Legal Aid Society of Louisville, Kentucky provides an overview of bankruptcy law. This video provides legal information and not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.
Bankruptcy Basics
This handbook from the U.S. Courts 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.
Bankruptcy Basics (Video)
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."
The Discharge in Bankruptcy
This information from the U.S. Courts' "Bankruptcy Basics" attempts to answer some basic questions about the discharge available to individual debtors.
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies for Pennsylvania
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 does not endorse or recommend any particular credit counseling agency or debtor education provider, or guarantee the quality of its counseling or instructional services.
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies - Full Listing (All States and Territories)
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). This listing also includes credit counseling agencies that provide counseling services in languages other than English.
Filing for Bankruptcy: What to Know About Credit Counseling
If you plan to file for bankruptcy protection, you must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before you file. The Federal Trade Commission provides information on that requirement and how to satisfy it.
Filing for Bankruptcy Without an Attorney
Information from the U.S. Courts for individuals who are thinking about filing for bankruptcy without the assistance of an attorney.
U.S. Bankruptcy Forms - National
Find a national federal court form. National court forms can be used in all federal courts. Each federal court also maintains their own local court forms. Use the Federal Court Finder at https://www.uscourts.gov/federal-court-finder/search to find a federal court and their local court forms.
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
Frequently Asked Questions - Bankruptcy Resources.org
The American Bankruptcy Institute has created BankruptcyResources.org to help those in financial difficulty find out more about bankruptcy. It features a list of common questions and straightforward answers to the questions.