General information
Bankruptcy is a way to reduce or eliminate debts. There are different types of bankruptcy and the two that are most frequently used by individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Bankruptcy laws are found in Title 11 of the United States Code.
- Bankruptcy Basics: Debt Collection Defense video from Washington LawHelp
- Debunking Common Bankruptcy Myths in Washington from Navigate Law Group
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Overview from Nolo
- Should I File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? from Washington LawHelp
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Overview from Nolo
Alternatives to filing for bankruptcy:
- Consumer Credit Counseling from Washington LawHelp
- Dealing with Debt from the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
- Beware of Debt Relief Services from Nolo
Forms and instructions
Bankruptcy cases are filed through the federal court system, not through the state courts. The Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington serves the western part of the state including Clark County. The website has court information, forms, court rules, FAQs, and other resources to help people who decide to file for bankruptcy. They also have checklists for these two types of bankruptcy:
Upsolve is a nonprofit that provides instructions for filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Washington:
Free eBooks about bankruptcy
Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble
from the National Consumer Law Center Digital Library
Chapters 25 and 26 pertain to bankruptcy