The world remains horrified at the tremendous destruction caused throughout the Gulf Coast recently by Hurricane Katrina. An unknown number of people are dead and thousands more are homeless, jobless and completely destitute. It may be months before the city of New Orleans is inhabitable again, and in the meantime, most residents of the city will have little or no income. This is a problem, as most people will continue to have payments due for credit cards, auto loans and mortgages. A number of people will probably be forced to file for bankruptcy as their debts continue to pile up with no income to offset them. Unfortunately for them, recently passed legislation may make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to have their debts wiped away through bankruptcy.

The Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law by President Bush last April, makes it more difficult to file for bankruptcy than in the past. New, stricter guidelines, which take effect next month, require proof of income for six months prior to filing as well as credit counseling. The documentation requirements of the new law are fairly strict, and even hold attorneys who represent bankruptcy filers liable for incorrect information filed on their clients