Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy - Required Lists, Schedules, Statements and Fees

Bankruptcy Petition and Schedules

When considering a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing, you should review and organize your financial information including pay stubs, bank accounts and bills for at least six (6) months before the filing. Bankruptcy Form B200 sets forth the documents and schedules that will need to be prepared and filed with the bankruptcy petition. As you read through the list, you should consider whether you will prepare the schedules on your own or will need the help of a well qualified bankruptcy attorney.

Required Financial Disclosure

In order to complete the required Bankruptcy Forms, including the debtor's petition, the statement of financial affairs and the schedules, the debtor must provide:

1. A list of all creditors and the amount and nature of their claims;
2. The source, amount, and frequency of the debtor's income;
3. A list of all of the debtor's property; and
4. A detailed list of the debtor's monthly living expenses (food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, transportation, medicine, etc.)

Married individuals must report this information for their spouse whether or not they are filing a joint petition. Even when only one spouse is filing, the income and expenses of the non-filing spouse must be reported so that the bankruptcy court can properly evaluate the household's financial position.