Washington (WA) Consumer Law CLE Course Catalog

Law school can seem like a long time ago, especially when a client walks in the door wanting help on filing for personal bankruptcy. This session will provide an overview of chapter 7: the players, bankruptcy estate, automatic stay, initial consultation and means test. Included in the discussion will be exemptions, preparing schedules, the relevant Bankruptcy Code and Rules sections, local rules, and how to know whether your client can or must redeem, reaffirm or surrender. Brush up on your skills and learn what you need to know about one of the core chapters of consumer bankruptcy.

Successful consumer bankruptcy cases often hinge on the intake process, particularly the details gathered on the intake form. What questions should be asked? What resources should be used? Discover best practices for getting the right information from the very beginning, which can avoid all kinds of headaches later. (No one wants to discover a fraudulent transfer at the 11th hour!).

The panel enacts three hypotheticals involving repeat filer/debtor Harry, his not-quite-blue-stocking creditor Lloyd of Lloyd’s Auto Lot, and the chapter 7 and chapter 13 trustees, Dusty and Rusty. The legal issues presented will concern the “expiring stay” for repeat filers, redemption of repossessed vehicles, a discharge violation question involving refusal to release the car lien/title, and the attendant procedural and costs questions for each. Ripe Potatoes rates this a “must see”!

This session will review the unique issues involved with early and quick ? 363 sales in chapter 11 cases, including financing the case, how to get the sale approved, and what happens to the case after the sale closes.