How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? - 12 months and counting

I have been out of work for 12 months and worry about the gap. I am in Detroit, in case local advice matters. I am not sure how much to explain. How did you handle it on your résumé?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.