Massachusetts law about bankruptcy

Best bet

U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Massachusetts Full of great information and helpful resources, including:

• A Guide for the Pro Se Filer
• FAQs for Debtors
• Debtor Information
• and more

Bankruptcy laws

• Federal Bankruptcy Code: USC Title 11
• Federal Exemptions: 11 USC 522. Be sure to see also: Increase of Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions, Other Dollar Amounts: April 1, 2019
• Massachusetts Exemptions: MGL c.235, s.34

Court rules and fees

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Massachusetts
• Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
• Filing Fees, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts.
• Local Bankruptcy Rules, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts

Forms

Bankruptcy forms

Selected cases

Google Scholar: Federal Cases 
Dates of coverage are a bit unclear, but it appears that you can search these cases:

• All Supreme Court cases
• Federal Appeals Court cases beginning with v.1 F.2d (1924)
• Federal District Court cases beginning with v.1 F.Supp. (1932)
• Bankruptcy Court cases beginning with v. 1 of Bankruptcy Reporter (1979)

The most recent months are not included.

Web sources

• Bankruptcy, Nolo. Includes tons of information, including bankruptcy basics, deciding to file, types of bankruptcy, the filing process and procedures, and much more.
• Bankruptcy Basics, Videos from the Federal Judiciary
  9 videos, about 5 minutes each. "These videos will give you basic information about the process, the relief it offers, and how to find the legal help you may need."
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property and Repay Debts Over Time, Nolo, 2018.
  Includes information on filing, drafting a plan, filling out the forms, life after bankruptcy and more. Requires library card for access.
• Collecting Debts Owed by a Bankrupt Customer, Findlaw.
  "All bankruptcies play out differently, but the steps a business needs to take to collect a debt from a bankrupt customer are usually surprisingly routine."
• Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions, The Bankruptcy Site.com
  Convenient list of federal exemptions with references to 11 USC 522
• A Guide for the Self-Represented Debtor in a Bankruptcy Case, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Mass., June, 2014.
  This 80-page manual is designed for someone filing for bankruptcy without an attorney. Includes detailed descriptions of the process, records necessary, forms to file, fees, and more.
• How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Nolo, 2017
  Includes step by step instruction and all the forms needed to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. Requires library card for access.
• Increase of Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions, Other Dollar Amounts: April 1, 2019, National Consumer Law Center, 2019.
  Covers adjustments for inflation in dollar amounts for federal exemptions, retirement accounts and more.

Print sources

• Bankruptcy Basics: A step-by-step guide for pro bono attorneys, general practitioners, and legal services offices, by John Rao and Tara Twomey, NCLC, 2013.
• Bankruptcy Practice in Massachusetts, MCLE, loose-leaf.
• Collier on Bankruptcy, 16th ed., Matthew Bender, loose-leaf. A 22-volume set covering all aspects of bankruptcy, including the Bankruptcy Code, rules, forms, etc.
• Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice by Henry J. Sommer, NCLC, 2012, with supplements
• A practical guide to consumer bankruptcy, MCLE, 2018
• Strategies for Creditors in Bankruptcy Proceedings, 5th ed., by Lynn M. LoPucki, Aspen, 2013 supplement

Last updated:	March 21, 2019