Chapter 7 Documents Checklist: What You Need To File Bankruptcy

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy means gathering detailed financial records. You need paperwork showing your income, debts, property, and expenses.

Pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements help you fill out bankruptcy forms accurately. Some documents go to the court. Others go to your trustee.

Being organized prevents delays and mistakes. You can file with confidence when you know what to collect.

Required Documents for Filing Chapter 7

You must gather specific documents to support your bankruptcy forms. Some get submitted to the court with your case.

Others go to your bankruptcy trustee after filing. Without proper paperwork, getting your discharge becomes harder.

Not every document applies to every filer. Only gather what matches your situation.

Never been divorced? You don’t need a divorce decree. Review this list and focus on your circumstances.

Income Documents

Chapter 7 eligibility depends primarily on income. You need proof of what you earn.

Tax Returns

Provide federal tax returns from the past two calendar years. State returns may be requested too.

No copies available? Request a free transcript from the IRS website. Tax returns confirm your income history.

Weren’t required to file? Write a short statement explaining why. Sometimes filers earned too little to file.

Pay Stubs

You need proof of income from at least 60 days before filing. Many trustees prefer 6-7 months of pay stubs.

Filing jointly? Include your spouse’s income. Unemployed filers don’t need stubs. Multiple jobs? Include all employers.

Your income completes Schedule I and the Statement of Financial Affairs. These are required bankruptcy forms.

Don’t send Social Security statements, 1099s, or W-2s to court. The trustee may request these later.

Profit and Loss Statements

Business owners and self-employed filers need recent profit and loss statements. Include income and expense records.

These documents show actual earnings after business costs. Accurate reporting matters for your case.

Credit Counseling and Financial Education Certificates

Two courses are required for Chapter 7. Complete the first before filing. Complete the second after filing.

Before filing: Take a credit counseling course from an approved agency. Complete it within 180 days of filing.

You’ll receive a certificate to submit with your bankruptcy forms. File it within 14 days or risk dismissal.

After filing: Take the debtor education course after your case is filed. Get your second certificate.

File this certificate within 60 days of your 341 meeting. Without it, you won’t receive your discharge.

Take courses online, by phone, or in person. Verify the provider is approved for your state.

Other Essential Documents

Identification: Bring proof of identity to your 341 meeting. Most people bring a driver’s license or passport.

You also need proof of your Social Security number. Acceptable alternatives include state ID, student ID, or resident alien card.

Social Security verification: Your Social Security card works best. Alternatives include Medicare cards, IRS tax notices, or W-2s.

Retirement account statements: Gather recent statements for 401(k)s, IRAs, or pension plans. Show your balance and account number.

Most retirement accounts are protected in Chapter 7. Documentation confirms your accounts qualify for protection.

Education savings accounts: Provide records for 529 plans or Coverdell ESAs. Trustees review balances, beneficiaries, and recent activity.

Request a recent statement from your plan provider. Keep records organized and accessible.

Helpful Supporting Documents

Beyond required documents, you need records to complete bankruptcy forms accurately. Gather these materials before starting your petition.

Debt Information

Bills and creditor statements: Collect statements from credit cards, store cards, and medical providers. Every creditor matters.

Can’t find statements at home? Download copies from billing company websites.

Collection notices: Save all collection notices. Note the debt’s original source.

Debts get sold to collection agencies. You should receive transfer notices. Keep them organized.

Legal notices: Gather documents from lawsuits, garnishments, or court orders. Child support, alimony, and fines must be reported.

Party to civil actions? List them on bankruptcy forms. Having case documents ensures accuracy.

Credit reports: Get free credit reports weekly. Bankruptcy filing is a good time to request one.

Credit reports confirm creditors and debts. Check for errors. Disputing mistakes improves your credit score.

Expense Information

Expenses are what you spend monthly, not past-due debts. Your old cellphone bill is debt. Your current monthly bill is an expense.

List expenses on your bankruptcy forms. Gather these records:

Utility and service bills: Common expenses include heating, cooling, garbage, phones, internet, and TV services.

Get a copy of each bill. Request last year’s statement history. Many companies provide records online.

Car loan statements: Need loan contracts and payment records. Request copies from your loan company.

Many Chapter 7 filers keep their car in bankruptcy. Documentation helps protect your vehicle.

Mortgage or rental statements: Get your most recent mortgage or home equity loan statement. Include rental agreements.

Courts consider taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. Check credit card statements for home expenses.

Bank statements: Collect all statements with your name and CD certificates. Download from banks or request copies.

The trustee reviews statements for expenses, assets, and joint accounts. Information must match your forms.

Medical and childcare receipts: Ongoing medical expenses need documentation. Gather receipts from the past year.

Childcare necessary for work? Collect those receipts too. Accuracy matters for your case.

Religious and charitable statements: Tithe or donate regularly? Get yearly statements from organizations.

Entertainment statements: Some entertainment expenses count. Gather receipts for movies, memberships, subscriptions, and kids’ activities.

Forgot an expense after filing? You’ll need to amend your forms. Be thorough the first time.

Asset Information

Assets are property you own. Personal property, real estate, and ownership interests all qualify.

Part-owner in a business or vehicle? That interest counts as an asset. Document everything you own.

Vehicle titles: Get titles for all vehicles in your name. Ownership documentation is essential.

Life insurance: Trustees want statements showing cash value and named beneficiaries. Request documentation from your insurer.

Stocks, bonds, and investments: Provide proof of investments, institution names, and current values.

Divorce decree: Divorced in the past 10 years? Your trustee wants the decree.

Decrees help trustees verify form accuracy. Keep your copy accessible.

Property tax bills: Own your home? Get property tax bills showing debt and expenses.

Call your town clerk for copies. Tax appraisal values don’t prove bankruptcy property value.

Real property value proof: Real property means houses or land. Get a market analysis from an agent.

Hire a real estate appraiser for accurate values. You can discuss appraisals with your trustee.

Personal property value proof: Determine fair market value for cars, boats, RVs, and manufactured homes.

Kelley Blue Book works for vehicles. Fine art and expensive jewelry need formal appraisals.

Understanding Forms vs. Documents

Bankruptcy forms are official paperwork filed with the court. Bankruptcy documents are real-life records proving form information.

Forms tell your financial story. Documents prove it. Here’s how they differ.

Bankruptcy Forms

Bankruptcy forms are official court paperwork for starting your Chapter 7 case. Your bankruptcy petition includes these forms.

Key forms include the Voluntary Petition, Statement of Financial Affairs, and schedules. Schedules detail income, expenses, property, and debts.

The means test determines Chapter 7 qualification. Every Chapter 7 case requires these forms.

Find forms and instructions free on the U.S. Courts website.

Bankruptcy Documents

Bankruptcy documents are real-life records completing required forms. They’re puzzle pieces building your financial picture.

Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and bills support form information. They prove accuracy.

Some documents get filed with the court. Others go to your bankruptcy trustee. Some aren’t required but help tremendously.

Organization makes filing easier. Gather documents before starting your bankruptcy forms.

Ready to start your Chapter 7 case? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to discuss your specific document needs and filing strategy.