Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms: Your Complete Guide to Filing

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires completing about 23 official forms. Together, these forms make up your bankruptcy petition. Each form serves a specific purpose. You’ll list your debts, assets, income, and expenses. Most of the information comes from documents you already have.

What Documents Do You Need To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

You need to submit a detailed packet of forms to the court. The forms packet you submit is called your bankruptcy petition.

Chapter 7 requires about 23 official forms. Some are several pages long. These forms are the same across the U.S. because they’re federal forms. You can download them for free from the U.S. Court’s website.

If you need help completing your forms, speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free. An attorney will guide you through the process step by step.

Many bankruptcy courts also require additional local forms. These are specific to your district. You can find these at your local courthouse.

What’s Included in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition?

Bankruptcy petitions have three main components:

• A voluntary petition with basic information about you
• Schedules that provide detailed financial information including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses
• Statements that dive deeper into specific areas of your financial history

These forms work together to provide a complete picture. The bankruptcy court, your trustee, and your creditors will review them.

Required Forms for Every Chapter 7 Case

Every Chapter 7 bankruptcy case requires these forms:

• Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy
• Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information
• Schedule A/B: Property
• Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt
• Schedule D: Secured Debts
• Schedule E/F: Unsecured Debts
• Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
• Schedule H: Your Codebtors
• Schedule I: Your Income
• Schedule J: Expenses
• Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules
• Statement of Financial Affairs
• Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income
• List of Creditors (Creditor Matrix)

Here’s what each form covers and why it matters.

Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

Official Form 101 starts your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. It collects basic information about you. You’ll indicate the type of bankruptcy you’re filing. You’ll note whether your debts are mostly consumer debts.

The form also asks about your pre-bankruptcy credit counseling course. You’ll note that you’ve completed the course and attached the certificate. Or you’ll explain if you qualify for a rare exemption.

Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities

Official Form 106Sum gives a bottom-line overview of your finances. It summarizes totals from your schedules. The form includes the value of your property, total debts, income, and expenses.

Think of it as a cover sheet for your schedules. You’ll fill this out after completing your other forms.

Schedule A/B: Property

Official Form 106A/B is where you list everything you own. Part 1 is for real estate like a house or land. Part 2 is for everything else.

In bankruptcy, anything you own is considered an asset. You’ll also estimate how much each item could be sold for.

Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt

Official Form 106C is one of the more complicated bankruptcy forms. You tell the bankruptcy trustee which belongings are protected by exemptions.

You’ll list any property from Schedule A/B that’s covered by an exemption. Include the state or federal law that protects it.

Schedule D: Secured Debts

Official Form 106D is where you list debts backed by property. These are called secured debts. The creditor can take the property if you don’t pay.

Common examples include mortgages and car loans. Later, in your Statement of Intention, you’ll explain your plans for these debts.

Schedule E/F: Unsecured Debts

Official Form 106E/F is where you list all your unsecured debts. Unsecured debts are not backed by property. Examples include credit cards and medical bills.

Some debts like taxes or child support are priority debts. These go in Part 1. Other unsecured debts go in Part 2. Part 3 is for listing collection agencies or lawyers involved in collecting debts.

Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases

Official Form 106G is where you list any active leases or long-term contracts. Examples include renting a home, leasing a car, or a cellphone contract. If you don’t have any, you just check “no” and move on.

Schedule H: Your Codebtors

Official Form 106H is required even if you don’t have any codebtors. If no one else is responsible for your debts, you’ll answer “no.” You’ll indicate whether you’ve lived in a community property state.

If you do have codebtors like a spouse or cosigner, you’ll list them.

Schedule I: Your Income

Official Form 106I is where you list all sources of income. Include wages from a job or income from a business. Include government benefits like Social Security or unemployment.

All income must be included. The court needs a clear picture of your financial situation.

Schedule J: Expenses

Official Form 106J works alongside Schedule I. You list your monthly expenses here. Include rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other living costs.

For most Chapter 7 filers, expenses either match or exceed income. If your Schedule J shows significant leftover income, you might need Chapter 13 instead.

Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules

Official Form 106Dec is where you sign to confirm everything is accurate. None of the other Chapter 7 forms include a signature line.

By signing it, you’re declaring under penalty of perjury. You understand there could be serious legal consequences if information is false.

Statement of Financial Affairs

Official Form 107 includes financial details not covered in your schedules. The form asks about your income from the past few years. You’ll disclose any legal actions involving you.

This helps the court get a complete picture of your financial history.

Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income

Official Form 122A-1 is the first part of the means test. The form calculates your average monthly income. It determines if you’re below the income limit for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

If you are, you’ll check a box indicating no “presumption of abuse.” You’re eligible to file under Chapter 7.

Creditor Matrix

The creditor matrix is a list of all your creditors and their addresses. You submit it along with your bankruptcy forms. It’s essentially a set of address labels.

The court uses it to quickly notify your creditors about your case. Check with your local bankruptcy court for the required format.

Supplemental Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms

Sometimes the court needs more information based on your unique situation. Supplemental forms fill in the gaps.

If these forms apply to you, they aren’t optional. They cover specific scenarios that don’t apply to everyone.

Fee-Related Applications

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy comes with a $338 court filing fee. If your household income is less than 150% of federal poverty guidelines, you can request a waiver.

Use Official Form 103B to request a fee waiver. Submit this form along with your bankruptcy paperwork.

If you don’t qualify for a waiver but can’t pay upfront, use Official Form 103A. You can pay the filing fee in installments. You’ll make a small down payment and have up to three payments.

Statement About Your Social Security Number

Official Form 121 provides the court with your full Social Security number. If you’re working with a lawyer, they’ll typically handle this.

If you file it yourself, keep it separate from other paperwork. You want to protect your personal information.

Statement of Intention

Official Form 108 is required if you have secured debts or unexpired contracts. The form lets creditors and the court know your plans.

You’ll indicate if you’re keeping the property and continuing payments. Or you’ll note if you’re surrendering it. File this form with the rest of your Chapter 7 paperwork.

Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation or Exemption

If your household income is greater than the median income for your state, you’ll need Official Form 122A-2. You show the bankruptcy court that you don’t have disposable income.

You file Official Form 122A-1Supp if you’re exempt from the means test. Exemptions apply if your debt is primarily non-consumer debt or based on military service.

Schedule J-2: Expenses for Separate Household

If you’re married and filing with your spouse but don’t live together, you’ll file Official Form 106J-2. The form documents expenses for separate households.

Forms for Eviction Situations

Use Official Form 101A if you’re behind on rent and your landlord has a judgment. The form lets the court know if you can catch up on rent.

Official Form 101B applies if you’re trying to stay in your home for more than 30 days. The form outlines your intentions regarding the eviction.

Common Local Forms

Local forms vary by bankruptcy district. The best place to find information is your local bankruptcy court’s website.

Here are a few common examples:

• Declaration About Your Income: Some districts require you to submit paycheck stubs directly to the court with a cover sheet.
• Creditor Matrix and Verification: All courts require your creditor matrix in a specific format. You’ll sign a verification page confirming the list is complete.
• Pro Se Declaration: If you’re filing without an attorney, some districts require a separate Pro Se Declaration.

Always check your district’s requirements. Make sure you’re submitting the correct forms in the right format.

Key Takeaways About Chapter 7 Forms

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires completing several forms. These forms provide a full picture of your financial situation. Most of the information is easy to gather with documents you already have.

Paycheck stubs and tax returns contain most of what you need. The key is to be honest, thorough, and organized. Speaking with a bankruptcy attorney can help ensure you complete everything correctly.