Georgia bankruptcy law education and training will teach you how to resolve your clients’ debts by dividing their assets among their creditors. This allows each creditor to achieve some measure of equality under the law. A filing under Chapter 7 is called liquidation and involves the sale of the debtor's non-exempt property. A bankruptcy proceeding under Chapters 11, 12 or 13 allows the debtor to use future earnings to pay off creditors.

The qualifications needed to practice bankruptcy law in GA are determined at the state level and also will be affected by the specific type of bankruptcy that the client requires. There are three general phases in obtaining an education in bankruptcy law:

1. Formal education. An attorney who practices GA bankruptcy law will typically need at least a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school in Georgia. An advanced degree such as a Masters of Law (L.L.M) will further help distinguish you from your colleagues.
2. Membership in professional organizations. Practicing attorneys will want a membership in one of the many associations dedicated to bankruptcy law in Georgia.
3. Legal specialization. Bankruptcy attorneys in Georgia can become designated specialists in bankruptcy law by meeting the state's specific requirements.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a law school that specializes in educating Georgia bankruptcy lawyers

There are a variety of universities in Georgia that provide a concentration in bankruptcy law. These schools are equipped to offer a solid education on the current bankruptcy laws in Georgia.

I recommend: In addition to offering bankruptcy coursework, Emory University School of Law publishes the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, the only bankruptcy journal in the United States run by students. Georgia State University College of Law offers several bankruptcy courses, including basic bankruptcy, basic consumer bankruptcy and bankruptcy and tax seminar.

Find professional forums for Georgia bankruptcy attorneys

Professional online forums can provide a daily educational opportunity for bankruptcy attorneys in Georgia. These include information on recent changes in bankruptcy law and advice on building a practice.

I recommend: The Georgia Bankruptcy Law Blog is dedicated to discussions on bankruptcy law in Georgia. Ginsberg Law Offices provides extensive information on filing for bankruptcy in Georgia and also maintains an informative blog on bankruptcy.

Obtain a specialization in bankruptcy law in GA

Georgia allows attorneys who practice certain areas of the law, such as bankruptcy, to be certified as specialists. A bankruptcy attorney in Georgia will need to know Georgia's specific requirements for a specialization in bankruptcy.

I recommend: The Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia provides self-study videos for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit in a variety of categories, including bankruptcy. The American Bankruptcy Institute hosts regular seminars on bankruptcy law in Georgia that provide CLE credit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attorneys also will want to join professional organizations that are dedicated to the practice of Georgia bankruptcy laws. These associations provide a number of resources essential for the practicing bankruptcy attorney, including contact information for important courts, assistance with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements and links to bankruptcy laws.

Learn all you can about bankruptcy laws in Georgia before you begin to make a decision about filing for bankruptcy. Understand what the ramifications will be to your life and your business when filing for bankruptcy in Georgia.

No one starts a business thinking it will fail. Things, however, do change, and there may come a time when exercising your bankruptcy options in Georgia becomes the best course of action for yourself and your business. Before filing for bankruptcy, keep in mind the following:

1. Know what you’re going to do with your life and your business once the bankruptcy is complete.

2. Take note on how Georgia bankruptcy law is going to affect life going forward--from starting a new business to how it will affect your credit rating.

3. Examine the decisions that were made that led to your bankruptcy filing. Take note so you won’t repeat the same mistakes again.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the exemptions you have under GA bankruptcy law

Know the exemptions you have available under bankruptcy law in Georgia. For example, Georgia only provides homestead exemptions up to $10,000 and only allows you to keep personal property up to $3,500.

I recommend: Review the chart at GeorgiaBankruptcy.com showing all of the exemptions that are available under Georgia bankruptcy law. Bankruptcy Information has a chart with all of the available exemptions in Georgia and links to other Georgia bankruptcy information, such as the needed forms and Georgia bankruptcy courts.

Review the process of bankruptcy in Georgia

Filing for bankruptcy changed drastically with the passage of the 2005 bankruptcy laws. With the changes, it is much harder to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, and the process itself has become more expensive. Take the time to understand what the new process means for you and your business so you can make an informed decision on whether filing for bankruptcy protection is right for you.

I recommend: Learn about the Georgia bankruptcy process with an easy to understand explanation at Lawyers.com. The Bankruptcy Site has a wealth of information on the bankruptcy process.

Hire a Georgia bankruptcy attorney to get you through the process

An experienced attorney is a necessity when filing for bankruptcy. There are plenty of high quality Georgia bankruptcy lawyers to choose from. Find one that is a good fit for you and your business.

I recommend: The Law Office of Scott B. Riddle is one of many Georgia bankruptcy law firms that focus on bankruptcy law. AttorneyPages has a wealth of information on Georgia bankruptcy attorneys and has a database that is searchable by city or county.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review your assets and debt before filing for bankruptcy with your Georgia bankruptcy lawyers. Property that you can't claim as an exemption may be sold to pay off to your creditors. Claim all property that you are eligible to keep as exempt or the exemptions will not be given.