Your Day in Bankruptcy Court

Your Day in Bankruptcy Court includes:

• Program Overview
• Introduction to Bankruptcy
• Glossary
• Pretest and Answer Key
• Agenda for Courthouse Event
• Discussion Guide
• Four Scenarios:
  1. First-Job Euphoria,
  2. Truck Today Gone Tomorrow,
  3. Student Loan Syndrome,
  4. A Question of Credit Card Fraud

Wise financial management and knowledge of the bankruptcy system are valuable assets to the modern citizen. Congress recognized financial literacy as a national priority in The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act), P.L. 108-59, signed into law on December 4, 2003.

The bankruptcy community has long recognized the importance of public outreach. In recent years, bankruptcy judges have developed or participated in a wide range of education programs. The Office of Public Affairs of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts created an umbrella for these programs with a national initiative that gives high school students their day in bankruptcy court. Judges in many circuits host high school students every year at local courts.

The Office of Public Affairs consulted with bankruptcy judges, clerks, staff attorneys, teachers, and students to develop the courthouse experience for high school students. The program incorporates key concepts of programs sponsored by different bankruptcy judges around the country and includes scenarios from Bankruptcy: Don't Let it Happen to You, produced by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. The purpose of the initiative is to teach educators and students about bankruptcy court as well as expose them to the considerations for and consequences of filing for bankruptcy protection.

Some additional resources that may be of interest follow:

• Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE)