Until his death in late 2011, Stephen R. Elias was a practicing attorney, active Nolo author, and president of the National Bankruptcy Law Project. He was an important part of Nolo for more than 30 years, and was the author or coauthor of many Nolo books, including Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners. Other titles include Special Needs Trusts: Protect Your Child's Financial Future, How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, and Legal Research: How to Find and Understand the Law. He was also one of the original authors of Nolo's bestselling WillMaker software. Steve held a law degree from Hastings College of Law and practiced law in California, New York, and Vermont before joining Nolo in 1980. He was featured in such major media as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Good Morning America, 20/20, Money magazine, and more.
Articles By Stephen Elias
Learn about common defenses, like servicer mistake, that you might be able to use to fight a foreclosure.
Learn when you can use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to save your home.
Generally, homeowners have to be more than 120 days delinquent before a foreclosure can begin.
To fight a nonjudicial foreclosure, you'll have to start a lawsuit.
A short sale might—or might not—be the answer to avoid a foreclosure. Here's what you need to know about the advantages and risks of short sales.
The instant you file for bankruptcy, all foreclosure proceedings must cease.
Find out about foreclosure notices.
In some states, foreclosures must go through court. In others, it can proceed out of court. Find out what happens in your state.
Timing a bankruptcy filing wisely can have a significant impact on your future.
You may be able to get avoid (get rid of) judgment liens in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
