In an effort to capitalize on the rash of bankruptcies in modern times given the uncertain economic direction of our nation, a plethora of sources have sprung up in recent years beckoning consumers to make use of their personal bankruptcy information services.
Many of these unofficial sources that profess to offer professional-caliber advice are websites that yield this information for free, and while this does not imply that their information is patently false, it also does not necessarily mean that these outlets are all that trustworthy. Even if these personal bankruptcy information resources are more accurate, individual debtors may have other issues with these Internet-based guides.
Some bankruptcy petitioners may generally not be comfortable using computers, or otherwise may find it difficult to read for long periods of time on computer screens. Bankruptcy books, on the other hand, do not need to be plugged into the wall to be of use to the prospective bankruptcy filer. They may also be more easily digested and understood in their printed form.
Here are some kinds of bankruptcy books and what to look for in a print publication containing personal bankruptcy information:
Noting how dense the language of the law may be with regard to bankruptcy proceedings, the best bankruptcy books for consumers are going to be those that are understood and well used by their owners. As such, even if a particular text is not wholly comprehensive when it comes to filing for bankruptcy and the statutes behind it, the basic personal bankruptcy information found within may be more valuable to the average reader because it speaks in a language he or she can understand.
One element of good bankruptcy books that is essential for first-time filers and other novices is the inclusion of a glossary of important bankruptcy terms that defines them specifically in terms of bankruptcy law. For example, such a lexicon would be apt to explain the role of the “trustee”.
The types of texts as described above are indeed largely informative. After all, some may make the case that there is little “razzle and dazzle” when it comes to bankruptcy law. Nevertheless, some bankruptcy books do not serve a general audience, and must be written in a more professional manner. As such, these works will generally feature legal language as it reads (or will be transliterations of bankruptcy codes themselves), and thus, will be geared more towards attorneys.
Certainly, the most confidence-inspiring bankruptcy books will be those advertised by reputable, familiar bankruptcy agencies and services. The American Bar Association, for one, regularly publishes new editions of its guide to credit and bankruptcy information, considering itself a “one-stop shop” of sorts for the customer. Pamphlet-style versions of the Bankruptcy Code and Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure are also updated annually and are available used from bookstores at low prices.
Those who purchase these publications should keep in mind, though, that they are not to be considered a reliable replacement for true legal representation. In other words, these bankruptcy books are a means of finding out some basic personal bankruptcy information, not a be-all-end-all.
