Looming Bankruptcy Law May Hurt Victims of Hurricane

Looming Bankruptcy Law May Hurt Victims of Hurricane: "The new bankruptcy law that goes into effect Oct. 17 could compound problems for people whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricane Katrina.

The new law will make it harder and more expensive for people to completely wipe out their debts, and consumer groups that oppose the law say it couldn't come at a worse time for Katrina victims. For one thing, they note, many will be unable to provide the paperwork -- tax statements, pay stubs and six months of income and expense data -- required by the new law. Nor will they have the time to attend mandatory credit-counseling courses.


Those groups are pushing Congress to delay the law's implementation date or change the law to guarantee that Katrina's victims will be able to get relief from their bills.

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