Bankrupt in Seattle

I spent Friday and Saturday at the Northwest Bankruptcy Institute in downtown Seattle. The accommodations and my trip up were somewhat different - I took the train to and from Seattle, and stayed at a fellow lawyer's house.

Both were good decisions. With gas as expensive as it is, taking the train isn't that much more expensive, and much more relaxing. (Although the train hit traffic on the way up and was delayed for an hour.)

Likewise, Vinnie and Peggy had something good for me - they've turned their attic into a small apartment with a separate entrance, and have people visiting Seattle they know stay there. It was more comfortable than a hotel, especially the bed - there was a futon there, and I fell asleep immediately. I usually have a problem falling asleep on too-soft hotel mattresses.

The focus of much of the conference this year was on the new bankruptcy legislation Congress just passed. Nobody except for credit card companies likes it; both judges and bankruptcy trustees thought it was unnecessary and poorly written. (Probably the most vehement of them was the trustee who was sitting at our table during Friday lunch.

Several of the Portland lawyers and myself went out for dinner and drinks Friday night, and we swapped war stories and complained about the new laws. It's going to be a busy next six or so months...

Update: More information about the changes to bankruptcy law here.