Best bets
Bankruptcy, Mass.gov
Mass Dept of Revenue page lists the courthouses in Mass for filing bankruptcy, explains the various types of bankruptcy, and links to the Bankruptcy court below.
Filing for bankruptcy during the COVID 19 outbreak, Justia
U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Massachusetts Full of great information and helpful resources, including:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts COVID 19 updates including standing orders, news and guidelines
Bankruptcy laws
Federal Bankruptcy Code: USC Title 11
- Amended by the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019, P.L.116-54, effective February 19, 2020, which provides an easier Chapter 11 bankruptcy process for small business debtors.
Federal exemptions: 11 USC 522. Be sure to see revised exemption amounts: Increase of federal bankruptcy exemptions, other dollar amounts: April 1, 2019
Massachusetts exemptions: MGL c.235, § 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
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)
In re Coughlin, 33 F4th 600 (2022)
The Bankruptcy Code unequivocally abrogates (overrides) tribal sovereign immunity, even though it never expressly mentions Indian tribes. Tribes are bound by restrictions regarding debt collection during bankruptcy.
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."
Bankruptcy information for consumers
When a retail store files for bankruptcy, the consumer becomes a creditor.
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
Federal non-bankruptcy exemptions, Nolo.
You may be able to take advantage of certain other exemptions found outside the bankruptcy code to help you protect your property when you file for bankruptcy.
A guide for the self-represented debtor in a bankruptcy case, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Mass., April, 2016.
This 95-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 protect your clients' cash and assets under new Massachusetts personal property exemptions, by Robert J. Hobbs and Hon. Carol J. Kenner, NCLC, 2011
Terrific piece that explains changes in exempt property law with examples illustrating when rights should be asserted and plenty of cites to relevant laws.
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.
Massachusetts bankruptcy law
Contains info, frequently asked questions and links to resources for bankruptcy in Massachusetts.
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 litigation, West, loose-leaf.
Covers the fundamentals in detail in this three-volume set.
Bankruptcy practice in Massachusetts, MCLE, loose-leaf.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy : keep your property & repay debts over time, by Cara O'Neill, Nolo, 2020.
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 handbook with forms, West, annual.
Consumer bankruptcy law and practice by Henry J. Sommer, NCLC, 2020
How to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, by Cara O'Neill, Nolo, 2019.
The new bankruptcy : will it work for you? By Cara O'Neill, Nolo, 2020.
A practical guide to consumer bankruptcy, MCLE, 2018
Strategies for creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, 6th ed., by Lynn M. LoPucki, Aspen.
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| Last updated: | June 6, 2022 |
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