Debt & Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can be the best solution for consumers who are struggling with overwhelming debt, offering them a chance for a fresh financial start. Many consumers who could benefit from bankruptcy, however, never file due to various barriers to access, including the cost of filing. Others don’t file because the current relief available for some debt problems is inadequate, such as for student loans. NCLC works to increase access to bankruptcy for low-income consumers and expand the relief available.

Recent

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Digital Library: Extensive Bankruptcy Rules Changes Now In Effect

December 3, 2024

Digital Library: When (and When Not) to File Bankruptcy

October 14, 2024

Suggested Amendment to Bankruptcy Rule 3001(c) Submitted to Bankruptcy Rules Committee

September 11, 2024

New Process to Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy

February 15, 2024

USA Today: Can medical bankruptcy help with medical bills?

May 9, 2023

Amicus Brief from Public Citizen, NCLC, and NACA in Support of Respondent in LAC Du Flambeau v. Coughlin Supreme Court Case

March 30, 2023

Digital Library: New Supreme Court Ruling–When Is a Bankruptcy Debtor on the Hook for Partner’s Fraud?

March 2, 2023

Justice Department Announces New Director of the U.S. Trustee Program

January 19, 2023

Advocates Cautiously Optimistic About Administration’s Plan to Improve Student Loan Bankruptcy 

November 17, 2022

Comments & Letters

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NCLC Comments to DOJ Regarding Policy Initiatives Concerning the Ability of Americans in Financial Distress to Access the Bankruptcy System

January 7, 2022

NCLC Comments to the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules Concerning Proposed Changes to the Mortgage Claim Rule

February 15, 2022

Suggested Amendment to Bankruptcy Rule 3001(c) Submitted to Bankruptcy Rules Committee

September 11, 2024

Comments to the U.S. Department of Education on Evaluating Undue Hardship Claims in Adversary Actions Seeking Student Loan Discharge in Bankruptcy Proceedings

May 18, 2018

Reports

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Non-Debtor Release Prohibition Act 2021

October 25, 2021

Sentenced to a Life of Debt: It Is Time for a Reassessment of How Bankruptcy Law Intersects with Fines and Fees to Keep People in Debt

February 16, 2022

Clearing the Path to a New Beginning  

October 7, 2020

Guide to the HAVEN Act

November 5, 2019

Final Report of the ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy

February 1, 2019

United States Consumer Bankruptcy Law Attorney Fee Survey States Report: 2017-2018

January 19, 2020

Why Homeowner Assistance Fund Programs Should Be Accessible to Homeowners in Bankruptcy

July 1, 2021

Issue Briefs

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New Process to Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy

February 15, 2024

Why Homeowner Assistance Fund Programs Should Be Accessible to Homeowners in Bankruptcy

July 1, 2021

Summary of COVID Bankruptcy Relief Provisions

March 31, 2021

Sample Request for Information Under RESPA to Obtain Identity of Mortgage Owner

January 1, 2014

Testimony

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Testimony of NCLC Attorney John Rao at the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on “Oversight of Bankruptcy Law and Legislative Proposals” 

July 25, 2019

Press Releases & News

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New Report: A 50-State Review Finds Many States Lacking Hospital Financial Assistance Programs

January 14, 2019

New Report: Using Bankruptcy to Discharge Criminal Justice Debt 

October 8, 2020

Digital Library: Extensive Bankruptcy Rules Changes Now In Effect

December 3, 2024

Digital Library: When (and When Not) to File Bankruptcy

October 14, 2024

USA Today: Can medical bankruptcy help with medical bills?

May 9, 2023

Digital Library: New Supreme Court Ruling–When Is a Bankruptcy Debtor on the Hook for Partner’s Fraud?

March 2, 2023

Justice Department Announces New Director of the U.S. Trustee Program

January 19, 2023

Advocates Cautiously Optimistic About Administration’s Plan to Improve Student Loan Bankruptcy 

November 17, 2022

Ipse Dixit Podcast: Andrea Bopp Stark & Geoffrey Walsh on Carceral Bankruptcy

October 4, 2022

Training Materials

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Pro Bono Bankruptcy Training Program Material

From the NCLC Digital Library

Bankruptcy Basics

Bankruptcy Basics guides readers through the chapter 7 filing process and provides helpful tips along the way, including filled-in and annotated sample initial filing forms.

Read Chapter One