We gratefully appreciate the assistance of many individuals in the writing and production of this Handbook. Members of the Chapter 7 Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee of United States Trustees and particularly the Chapter 7 Handbook Working Group have worked hard and well to issue this edition of the Chapter 7 Handbook.

Although it is not feasible to acknowledge the efforts of all the people to whom thanks are due for their labor, we recognize W. Clarkson McDow, Jr., United States Trustee, Region 4, Columbia, South Carolina, and Chair of the Chapter 7 Subcommittee, for providing leadership in the development of this new Handbook. Acknowledgment and appreciation for the considerable work in the preparation of this edition of the Handbook also are given to: Kenneth C. Meeker, Assistant United States Trustee, Region 21, Orlando, Florida, and Chair of the Chapter 7 Handbook Working Group; Sandra J. Forbes, Assistant Director for Review and Oversight, Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST); and members of the 1997 and 1998 Chapter 7 Subcommittees: J. Christopher Marshall, United States Trustee, Region 1, Boston, Massachusetts; Richard W. Simmons, United States Trustee, Region 7, Houston, Texas; M. Scott Michel, former United States Trustee, Region 11, Chicago, Illinois; Barbara G. Stuart, United States Trustee, Region 12, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Adrianne Kalyna, former United States Trustee, Region 14, Phoenix, Arizona; Harry A. Sherr, United States Trustee and J. Patrick Boyl, Assistant United States Trustee, Region 15, San Diego, California; Marcy J.K. Tiffany, former United States Trustee, Region 16, Los Angeles, California; Peter H. Carroll, III, Assistant United States Trustee, Region 17, Fresno, California; Pamela J. Griffith, Assistant United States Trustee, Region 18, Portland, Oregon; and Barbara A. Shangraw, United States Trustee, Region 19, Denver, Colorado.

Special acknowledgment for their continuing contributions throughout the period this edition was being prepared goes to Suzanne M. Hazard, Chief, Chapter 7 Branch, Office of Review and Oversight, EOUST, and again to Pamela J. Griffith, Assistant United States Trustee, Region 18, Portland, Oregon.

Additionally, we recognize and thank many panel trustees from the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT) for their valuable assistance and perceptive suggestions for this Handbook.

This Handbook should well serve to update and enhance the administration of chapter 7 cases.