cases, past bills may be paid off at a fraction of their face value.     If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, youll need to research your options. Your options will be affected by issues such as:     the dollar amount of your debt     whether you want to keep operating the business     your personal liability-for example, you may have pledged your home or cash for a loan     the type of property you own; some of your personal property is yours to keep, regardless of your bankruptcy.For more about bankruptcy options for individuals, see Money Troubles: Legal Strategies to Cope With Your Debts, by Robin Leonard (Nolo). Chapter 12: Good Resources for Small Businesses     A. Introduction     The key to getting the help you need is knowing in which knowledge or business practice areas you are weak. Once youve pinpointed areas where you need help, think about how you like to learn. Some people prefer classes and study groups, while others do better reading a book or a magazine. Some people benefit most by seeking out a trusted advisor wholl take the time to analyze their situation and make specific suggestions.     As much as possible, the resources below are presented in time-sensitive order. You will receive faster help from the first source listed, business consultants, than you will from the last source, formal education.     Regardless of how you choose to receive information and help, there are many excellent resources available. As a wise consumer, take care to get your moneys and times worth. Just because some person or publication promises to help you doesnt necessarily mean youll get good results. B. Business Consultants     Business consultants are people who offer advice about how to run other peoples businesses. Most have extensive business experience and want to help people like you succeed. Be careful though-there are some inexperienced and unscrupulous people who call themselves business consultants.     Youll want to select a business consultant based on your needs. The two basic categories consist of:     General business consultants. They look at a business from the owners perspective and try to solve any and all problems the business has. One of the best ways to use a general business consultant is to meet for an hour or two each month and talk about your plans and upcoming projects. Most good consultants can suggest different ways to reach your goals that will save you time and money.     Specialists. These people are experts in specific fields like advertising, marketing, sales or employee benefits. Specialists try to solve limited problems as directed by the owner. For