How to Survive and Prosper after a Financial Misfortune: A Complete Guide to Your Legal Rights after Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Repossession, and Eviction
Every year, it is estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau that more than 700,000 people file for bankruptcy. Another 1-2 million must deal with foreclosure, repossession, or eviction. In 2007 alone, it is estimated that a record number of homeowners were subject to foreclosures and the light has not yet appeared at the end of the tunnel. For these individuals and millions more who are on the brink of financial misfortune, this book has been written to provide that light, a guide that will help...
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Foreword: Moving Past Crippled Debt 11\ Introduction 17\ Chapter 1 Common Types of Financial Misfortune 23\ Overcoming the Debts Associated with Illness 23\ Taking Charge of Job Loss 27\ Conquering the Costs of Divorce 35\ Enduring the Financial Implications of Unexpected Death 43\ How to Ensure You Remain Financially Secure 43\ How to Overcome the Financial Implications of Unexpected Death 52\ Rising Above Judgment: Another Source of Financial Disaster 55\ Making Sense of Civil Calamity 61\ Chapter 2 The Basics of Bankruptcy 67\ What is Bankruptcy? 67\ Who Can File for Bankruptcy? 68\ How Bankruptcy Works 69\ What to Do Before You Can File for Bankruptcy 70\ What is the Definition of a Bankruptcy Discharge? 71\ Top Five Bankruptcy Questions 72\ The Myths Associated with Bankruptcy 73\ Types of Bankruptcy: Chapter 7 74\ Types of Bankruptcy: Chapter 13 76\ What Type of Bankruptcy is Right for You? 81\ The Means Test 82\ Types of Bankruptcy: Chapter 11 88\ Types of Bankruptcy: Chapter 12 88\ Summary 94\ Detailed Descriptions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Laws 95\ What Can You Keep? 98\ Should You File Jointly or Singly? 100\ How Bankruptcy Affects Your Debts & Property 101\ Alternatives to Bankruptcy 102\ Negotiating with the IRS 105\ Do You Need a Lawyer? 106\ Important Things to Keep in Mind After You File for Bankruptcy 110\ Summary 112\ Chapter 3 The Fundamentals of Foreclosure 113\ What is Foreclosure? 113\ The Dos and Don'ts of Foreclosure 114\ Descriptions of the U.S. Foreclosure Laws 122\ Interest 126\ Summary 131\ Chapter 4 Your Housing Options 133\ Look Again at Your Resources 134\ Selling Your Home 137\ Finding New Housing Options 140\ Know Your Rights as a Renter 143\ The Fair Housing Act 145\ Tips to Impress the Landlord 145\ Signing the Lease 147\ Steer Clear of Scammers 150\ Redemption: Buying Back Your Home 153\ Summary 154\ Chapter 5 The Real Facts on Repossession 155\ What is Repossession? 156\ How the U.S. Repossession Laws Can Affect You 156\ Repossession Companies 158\ Repossession of Automobiles 158\ Other Repossessions 160\ How To Get Your Possessions Back 161\ Ways to Prevent or Overcome Repossession 164\ Summary 165\ Chapter 6 Overcoming Eviction 167\ Detailed Descriptions of the U.S. Eviction Laws 168\ Is Eviction Legal? 170\ Illegal Evictions 172\ How to Work Out a Solution with the Landlord 174\ Eviction Through Foreclosure 178\ How to Find a New Place to Live 179\ Ways to Prevent or Overcome Eviction 180\ Summary 180\ Chapter 7 How to Rebuild Your Credit 181\ Why Your Credit Score is Essential 181\ Tips for Improving Your Credit Score 185\ Reviewing Your Credit Report 188\ Who May Access Your Credit Report? 188\ Reviewing Your Report 190\ There is No Quick Fix 192\ Taking Other Important Financial Measures 194\ Summary 197\ Chapter 8 How to Take Control of Your Debt 199\ Finding Out if You Have Too Much Debt 200\ Smart Ways to Eliminate Your Debt 201\ Making Sense of Taxes 212\ Considering Debt Consolidation 216\ Setting a Budget 218\ Ask Yourself Why You Overspend 222\ How to Cut Living Expenses 224\ Smart Tips: Save Money Every Day 228\ Make Saving Automatic 236\ Create an Emergency Fund 236\ Summary 238\ Chapter 9 How to Overcome the Social Stigma of Financial Misfortune 239\ Financial Discrimination 239\ How to Shuck the Social Stigma 242\ Getting Support 244\ Summary 245\ Chapter 10 Striding Toward the Future 247\ Creating a Plan for Tomorrow 247\ Invest in Your Future 249\ Decide on Your Investment Style 255\ Choose Your Asset Allocation 260\ Rely on the Power of Compounding 261\ Keep Inflation in Mind 261\ Plan Your Estate 262\ The Facts About Life Insurance 267\ Health Insurance Fundamentals 269\ Summary 270\ Conclusion: Onward and Upward 271\ The Seven Steps of the Journey Ahead 271\ You Can Do It 273\ Appendix A Financial Freedom Checklist 275\ Appendix B Bankruptcy Court Fee Schedule 279\ Appendix C Foreclosure Assessment Form 285\ Appendix D Sample Eviction Form 289\ Appendix E Sample Statutory Will Form 293\ Appendix F Sample Monthly Budget 299\ Appendix G Letters Expressing Financial Hardship and Declaring Fault 301\ Appendix H Sample Small Claim's Court Fee Chart 311\ Glossary of Terms 315\ Bibliography 327\ About the Author 331\ Index 333
