Are you prepared to handle consumer bankruptcy claims? A solid understanding of fundamental bankruptcy law and procedures is essential to your confidence and effectiveness as a bankruptcy practitioner. Order today to learn the technical skills needed to provide immediate protection to clients and help them establish financially stable futures.

• Introduction to the Bankruptcy Code and Rules
• Conducting the Initial Client Interview
• The Basics of Chapter 7 and the Means Test
• The Basics of Chapter 13
• Ensuring Ethical Conduct
• Bankruptcy Forms and Filing Process
• Automatic Stay Litigation in a Nutshell

Continuing Education Credits:   

Continuing Legal Education

Credit Hrs    State    Credit Approval Expiration

* denotes specialty credits

INTRODUCTION TO THE BANKRUPTCY CODE AND RULES
9:00 - 9:45, Robert M. Sweere

• Various Bankruptcy Proceedings
• Eligibility
• Exemptions

CONDUCTING THE INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEW
9:45 - 10:35, Angela D. Acree

• Bankruptcy Alternatives
• How to Conduct and Analyze Intake Interviews
• Must-Ask Questions in Follow-Up Interviews
• Rules for Setting Up Retainer Agreements
• Creating Correspondence Faster
• Helping Your Client Determine Which Chapter to File
• Clarifying Key Differences Between Chapters for Clients

THE BASICS OF CHAPTER 7 AND THE MEANS TEST
10:50 - 11:45, Angela D. Acree

• Information to Obtain From Debtors
• The Means Test
• Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Property
• When to File Petition and Related Documents
• The Trustee's Role
• Automatic Stay
• What to Expect From Creditors' Meetings
• Spot Problems When Liquidating Remaining Assets
• Control Distribution to Creditors and Discharge of Bankruptcy

THE BASICS OF CHAPTER 13
12:45 - 1:45, Ted Tinsman

• Compare and Contrast Chapter 13 and Chapter 7
• Automatic Stay Provisions
• The Trustee's Role as Administrator
• Tips for Creating and Filing Repayment Plans
• Easy Ways to Establish Priority of Claims
• Avoid Mistakes When Confirming or Rejecting Plans
• When Conversion to Chapter 7 is Applicable
• Enforce and Modify Plans
• Uncover Broader Discharge Options

ENSURING ETHICAL CONDUCT
1:45 - 2:45, Ted Tinsman

• Specific Provisions of the Bankruptcy Code on Ethics
• Sanctions in Bankruptcy Proceedings
• Ethics of Conflicts of Interest

BANKRUPTCY FORMS AND FILING PROCESS
3:00 - 3:45, Robert M. Sweere

• Choose the Right Forms (Sample Forms Included)
• What Schedules to File
• Checklist of Filing Procedures
• Do's and Don'ts When Filing Petitions
• Pros and Cons of Electronic Filing

AUTOMATIC STAY LITIGATION IN A NUTSHELL
3:45 - 4:30, Robert M. Sweere

• The Real Purpose of the Automatic Stay
• Creditors Strategies for Terminating or Obtaining Relief From the Stay.
• Determine Violations of the Stay
• How the Stay Affects the Statutes of Limitation
• Helpful Sample Forms

ANGELA D. ACREE is the owner of Bankruptcy Clinic, L.L.C., where she focuses her practice in bankruptcy and FDCPA. She is admitted to practice in Missouri, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. Ms. Acree received her B.S. degree, cum laude, from the University of Houston; her M.B.A. degree from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri; and her J.D. degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. Ms. Acree has held past positions with the Springfield Municipal Court as a municipal judge (2003 - 2010) and with the Greene County Prosecutor's Office as senior assistant prosecutor (2000 - 2002). She currently is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College Alumni.

ROBERT M. SWEERE is a sole practitioner who focuses his practice in the fields of bankruptcy, civil litigation, real estate, domestic relations, probate, estate planning and appeals. Mr. Sweere has tried hundreds of cases and has handled more than 27 appeals which resulted in published opinions. He was an assistant Greene County prosecuting attorney from 1979 through 1981 and has been in private practice since that time. Mr. Sweere received his B.S. degree, with honors, from Iowa State University. He graduated from the Vanderbilt University School of Law. He was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1976 and practiced in Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Sweere is a member of The Missouri Bar and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association (Family Law Committee).

TED TINSMAN is an attorney in the law firm of Smith Montgomery & Associates PC, where he focuses his practice in bankruptcy (personal and small business). Mr. Tinsman received his B.S. degree from Lincoln University in 1989 and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law, in 1992. Mr. Tinsman has presented bankruptcy education seminars for The Missouri Bar for several years. He is a member of The Missouri Bar and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com