Training Course Syllabus:

Bankruptcy Basics Boot Camp - Bankruptcy Law Seminar

Represent Your Clients with Confidence

Filing a bankruptcy petition can be an intimidating task for an attorney who isn't familiar with the required forms and paperwork, but the practice area is a worthwhile addition to your firm. If you are looking to expand your practice or build up your skill-set, this is the bankruptcy how-to for you. Learn the bankruptcy process as experienced attorneys walk through the calculations and filing requirements. Register today!

• Know the best practices and techniques for filing bankruptcy.
• Gather all the necessary documents during the intake interview so you can accurately advise clients during the initial stages.
• Confidently work through the means test to achieve accurate results that determine a debtor's bankruptcy eligibility.
• Avoid common paperwork mistakes by walking through each essential form.
• Understand how to prepare for the 341 meeting and know what to expect.
• Be aware of the techniques creditors employ to lift the automatic stay.
• Structure a Chapter 13 repayment plan clients and creditors can agree on.
• Review and avoid common ethical dilemmas associated with bankruptcy.

• Utilizing the Client Intake Interview
  9:00 - 9:40, Ronald I. Chorches
  • Is Credit Counseling an Alternative?
  • Documents to Request Right Away
  • Questions to Ask in the Initial Interview
  • Explaining the Process and Bankruptcy Options to Your Client
  • Helping Your Client Determine Which Chapter to File
  • Rules for Setting up Retainer Agreements
• Working Through the Means Test
  9:40 - 10:20, Joel M. Grafstein
  • Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Property
  • Allowable Expenses
  • How to Determine the Debtor's Income
  • Is Your Client's Income More Than the Median?
  • What Happens if Your Client Does Not Pass the Means Test?
  • Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Communicating With the U.S. Trustee
• Preparing the Bankruptcy Filing
  10:35 - 11:30, Ronald I. Chorches
  • Checklist of Filing Procedures
  • What Schedules to File
  • The Bankruptcy Petition
  • Statement of Financial Affairs
  • Monthly Budget
  • Property and Debt Listings
  • Pros and Cons of Electronic Filing
  • Filing Do's and Don'ts
• Planning the 341 Meeting
  11:30 - 12:15, Ronald I. Chorches
  • Purpose of the Meeting
  • Who Should Attend
  • Questions to Expect and Prepare For
  • Proofs of Claim
• Understanding the Automatic Stay
  1:15 - 2:15, Charles A. Maglieri
  • Broad Scope of the Automatic Stay
  • Mortgage Servicing Issues
  • Motion for Lift of Stay: How, Why You Can Request It
  • Monetary Sanctions for Automatic Stay Violation Where Notice is Lacking
  • Terminating the Stay
  • Changes in the Automatic Stay Due to Reform Legislation
  • Harassment Issues
• Drafting Chapter 13 Repayment Plans
  2:15 - 3:15, Charles A. Maglieri
  • What is the Best Timeline for Your Client?
  • When Conversion to Chapter 7 is Applicable
  • How to Enforce and Modify Plans
  • Standards of Confirmation
  • Role of Exemptions in Chapter 13
  • Best Interests of Creditors Test and Best Efforts Test
  • Payment of Priority Claims and Secured Claims on Personal Property
  • Lien Stripping
  • Structuring Payments – A Case Study
  • Negotiating Plan Payments with the Trustee
  • Plan Confirmation and Modifications
• Reviewing Ethics
  3:30 - 4:30, Joel M. Grafstein
  • Charging Attorneys' Fees
  • Misrepresentation
  • Intermingling Activities of Collection Agency and Attorney
  • Avoiding Violations of the Discharge Injunction
  • Zealous Advocacy v. Candor with the Court
  • Common Situations for Concern

Seminar Summary:

Learn the bankruptcy process as experienced attorneys walk through the calculations and filing requirements. (see full course description)

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