The Modern Bankruptcy System: Law, Strategy, and Application

Course Description

This Bankruptcy 101 course provides a practical overview of U.S. Bankruptcy law, including its historical development, core legal concepts, the pros and cons of Bankruptcy, and the structure of the modern Bankruptcy system. Participants will learn how Federal Bankruptcy law operates in conjunction with State law and local practice, with an emphasis on the automatic stay, discharge of different types of debts, exemptions protecting assets, and the roles of key players. The course surveys Chapters 7 and 13 primarily, with some focus on Chapter 11, highlighting who each chapter serves and how cases typically proceed. Designed for Attorneys, Paralegals, Financial Professionals, and Creditors who interact with financially distressed individuals or businesses. The program also emphasizes real-world application and common practice pitfalls.

Syllabus

1. What bankruptcy is—and is not
2. Who benefits from understanding bankruptcy
3. How bankruptcy fits into the broader legal system
4. Federal law with state law influence and local practice
5. Balancing debtor relief with creditor fairness