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Pre-Filing Chapter 7 Documents
When filing chapter 7 bankruptcy, there are a number of documents that need to be completed for the bankruptcy petition.
It is very important that we receive all the necessary documents in a timely manner to review your petition before your appointment date.
Documents You Will Need to Provide
Tax returns
Federal and state income tax returns for the two years prior to the filing of the bankruptcy case.
If you are missing any tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, etc. please let your legal assistant know so we can find ways to help you obtain them.
Pay stubs and proof of income
Please gather together and give to us all of your pay stubs for the last 6 months and then also all of your proof of income for the last 6 months.
Self-employment and other sources of Income: As mentioned above, please inform your legal assistant if you are self-employed, receive income from others, or have other sources of income that may need to be included in the bankruptcy filing.
Bank statements
These are the bank statements or account statements for all accounts in your name for the last 90 days. These may include checking, savings and other types of accounts like Venmo, PayPal, Cash app.
Retirement accounts
A one-page summary or statement for each of your retirement accounts. This can be a current statement or a summary for each account that lists the type of account and the current balance in each account.
Examples may include:
* 401(k) accounts
* IRAs
* Pensions
* Other employer-sponsored retirement plans
Garnishments, wage deductions, lawsuits, or court summons
If you currently have any of the following, please provide copies to our office:
* Wage garnishment or wage deduction paperwork
* Lawsuits
* Court summons
* Collection-related court documents
* Other legal notices concerning your debts
Real estate tax bill
If you own real estate, the value of the property will be determined. your legal assistant can help you obtain the real estate tax bills, as well as obtain property information online.
Business or other income
If you are self-employed or have income from a business, we can assist you in completing a profit/loss statement for your bankruptcy Trustee.
Please advise of any business or other income that you receive.
Child support questionnaire
If applicable, a child support questionnaire will be required as part of your bankruptcy filing.
You will need to provide some basic information such as:
* Who you pay child support to
* The amount of your payments
* How often you make payments
* Where or how you make your payments
Life insurance information
* Employer-provided life insurance
* Life insurance you purchased independently
* Whole life or other cash-value policies
The summary of information concerning life insurance, for example, might include a copy of the policy summary (or the declaration page for the policy). If the insured holds whole life, or cash value policies of any type, for example, then a summary of the information for each of those policies would be required as well. Often the summary or other information provided by the insured includes a value for the policy and an explanation of how the policy was purchased.
Credit counseling certificate
You must have completed a credit counseling course from an approved provider before you can file bankruptcy. We recommend the DebtorCC.org, available online or by phone at 800-610-3920, to complete this document at.
The typical course for credit counseling will have a service charge of $19.99.
As mentioned above, the Credit Counseling Certificate issued after completion of the required course is only valid for a short period of time. We will notify you when it is time to complete this course.
Copies of your credit reports
You can obtain your credit reports free of charge.
Information on how to get online copies of your credit reports, request them by mail, or have them read to you over the telephone is printed on the back of your debt sheet.