The Bankruptcy Code is federal law, which is also referred to as Title 11 of the United States Code. It provides help for individuals or businesses in financial difficulty while, at the same time, dealing with their creditors evenhandedly. The Bankruptcy Code is divided into several chapters. Each of the chapters provides a different set of options for dealing with debt. Most cases are filed under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. The text of the Bankruptcy Code is available in law libraries, or on the internet at:

www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/11/