Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy refers to individuals who are filing bankruptcy as opposed to companies or businesses. Considering the circumstances, the laws are a bit different for individuals who face bankruptcy. It should be noted that each state has their own laws concerning bankruptcy as well as there being federal laws governing the process. You should hire the services of a good attorney to help you muddle through the various forms and court hearings that will be necessary depending on the state in which you live. In most cases, the debtor will have to attend a credit counseling class and get certification. This must occur before filing the papers in court for bankruptcy. Because the laws can vary so much from state to state, it is best to get chapter 7 personal bankruptcy information from an attorney in your area. For example, when it comes to exemptions, there are often two lists; the federal exemption list and the state exemption list from which you will have to choose. Chapter 7 is usually the quickest way to file (and finish) bankruptcy but in some cases it can take a while. For the person who has little or no real property, it is a fairly quick process as there is no need to hire a trustee to sell the assets.