Forms You Must File in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

If you're an individual who intends to prepare and file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy without a lawyer's assistance, or if you'd like to learn more about the forms involved in the Chapter 7 filing process, this guide is for you—especially if you find the process somewhat overwhelming, which is understandable. Rest assured that using the official resources provided and paying careful attention to detail is the secret to completing the Chapter 7 forms successfully.

Filing Chapter 7 Forms: The Process

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy begins when a debtor files a comprehensive packet of bankruptcy forms that provide the court and creditors with a complete picture of their financial situation, including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses.

Chapter 7 eliminates qualifying debts through a process that usually takes approximately four months. Unlike Chapter 13, Chapter 7 doesn't involve repaying creditors through a lengthy repayment plan.

Where to Find Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms

Every Chapter bankruptcy court uses the same set of standardized forms. The forms are fillable and downloadable, making it easy to complete, print, and sign them before filing. You can access all the required forms from the U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Form webpage.

Caution. Ensure the forms you're using are current by downloading forms from the U.S. Courts webpage only. Forms from other sites could be inaccurate and out-of-date, which could lead to issues or delays in your case.

Why Correctly Completing and Filing Chapter 7 Forms Matters

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal process that significantly impacts the rights and obligations of you and your creditors. Completing the forms accurately is essential for complying with bankruptcy laws, but it also ensures the review process is smooth and without incident.

The Trustee's Review

The forms are verified for accuracy by the trustee appointed to your case before the 341 meeting, the hearing you'll attend a few weeks after filing your case. The trustee also looks for assets to distribute to creditors and will inquire about any potential issues at the 341 meeting. Also, the trustee will look for signs of bankruptcy fraud. If found, the consequences can be severe, including case dismissal, fines, or imprisonment.

Avoid Amending Forms

That's not to say you won't be allowed to fix an inadvertent problem by amending the petition. But doing so takes time and can be stressful. You can reduce the possibility of complications by preparing the forms carefully, and knowing your forms are completed thoroughly will help you navigate the 341 meeting with confidence.

Caution. This resource provides general information on completing Chapter 7 bankruptcy forms. Because every individual's financial situation is unique, it is not a substitute for legal help. Consulting a bankruptcy lawyer is the most prudent way to ensure the best possible outcome for your specific case.

The Forms Individual Chapter 7 Debtors Absolutely Must File

Understanding what each form requires and completing them accurately with diligence is a significant step that will help ensure a smooth Chapter 7 process. You must file the following forms listed below (unless you're filing an emergency petition, which we discuss further below).

Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

This document officially starts your bankruptcy case. It provides basic information about you, your debts, and your assets. You'll need identifying information, such as your name and address, the bankruptcy chapter you're filing, and whether you've completed the prebankruptcy course.

• Tips. Use the exact spelling of your name on your photo ID on the petition. Also, double-check your address—it's where the court will send important notices and bankruptcy information.
• What's needed. Identification, such as a driver's license, government ID card, or passport; prebankruptcy credit counseling course certificate.
• Download Form 101. Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information

This form provides an overview of your financial state by summarizing the data in your schedules.

• Tip. Don't complete this form until you've finalized other schedules.
• What's needed. Completed Schedules A/B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, and J.
• Download Form 106Sum. A Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information

Schedule A/B: Property

You must list all property and assets on this form, including items of little value, so be exhaustive. The proper valuation method for personal property is "replacement value," or the amount it would cost to purchase a similar item in similar age and condition from a retailer, not the original cost or the resale value. For example, a ten-year-old couch's replacement value would be the amount you'd spend to buy a ten-year-old couch in similar condition.

You'll want to use appraisals and estimates to value property for homes, cars, and other valuable items. Estimates from Realator.com, Zillow.com, or NADA.com are typically fine, but you might need a professional appraisal if the value is difficult to establish.

• Tip. You aren't required to list every spoon and pot holder individually. You can group items into categories like "small appliances," "bed and bath linens," and "gardening tools." Don't forget to include possessions in storage spaces and bank deposit boxes.
• What's needed. Property deeds; vehicle titles or registrations; bank statements (checking, savings); investment account statements (stocks, bonds, mutual funds); retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension); appraisals or estimates (for homes, cars, valuable items like jewelry, art, collections); life insurance policies; household goods inventory; business-related documents (ownership interest and value).
• Download Form 106A/B. Schedule A/B: Property

Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt

On this form, you claim the property you're allowed to keep by listing the appropriate exemption law. Understanding how to use exemption laws is crucial to avoid property loss in Chapter 7. Bankruptcy exemptions vary greatly by state, and some states allow debtors to choose to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the state exemptions. Be sure you're using the correct exemption set, and, if you have a choice, the set that best protects your property.

• Tip. You must live in the state for at least two years to use its exemptions. Learn about using exemptions after moving to a new state.
• What's needed. Federal or state exemption statutes; property appraisals and valuations.
• Download Form 106C. Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt

Schedule D: Creditors Who Hold Claims Secured by Property

This schedule is where you'll disclose secured debts involving a property lien, such as mortgages and car loans, and the property serving as collateral. You'll need the creditor's information and the amount owed.

• Tip. For a debt to be secured, the lien must be properly recorded. The trustee will want proof that the lien was perfected, especially if the secured debt is owed to a friend or family member.
• What's needed. Mortgage statements; car loan statements; other secured loan statements; possibly property deeds and titles to prove liened ownership interest.
• Download Form 106D. Schedule D: Creditors Who Hold Claims Secured By Property

Schedule E/F: Creditors Who Have Unsecured Claims

Priority and nonpriority unsecured creditors are included on this schedule. In other words, all debt in which the creditor doesn't have a lien, including unsecured domestic support and tax arrearages. Credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and other unsecured debts are also listed here. You'll need the creditor's name, the address used on the last correspondence, and debt information.

• Tip. You must list every creditor you owe, even if you would prefer not to include the debt in bankruptcy. It isn't an option. You can voluntarily agree to repay a debt after your case ends.
• What's needed. Bills, including credit card statements, medical bills, personal loan statements, overdue utilities; collection notices and letters; credit reports; tax arrearage notices; domestic support arrearage notices.
• Download Form 106E/F. Schedule E/F: Creditors Who Have Unsecured Claims

Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases

Any contract in which you're currently under is disclosed here. For instance, you'd include a car or equipment lease, or a gym contract.

• What's needed. Lease agreements for your car, equipment, or residence; service contracts for gym memberships, subscription services, and more.
• Download Form 106G. Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases

Schedule H: Your Codebtors

If anyone is jointly liable for your debt, such as a loan cosigner, you'll list them on this form.

• Tip. A Chapter 7 discharge won't eliminate a codebtor's debt payment obligation.
• What's needed. Loan agreements for cosigned loans; credit card statements for joint accounts.
• Download Form 106H. Schedule H: Your Codebtors

Schedule I: Your Income

This schedule details all sources of your income. For this form, you must include all earnings, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, Social Security, disability, and unemployment benefits, pension income, and rental income.

• Tip. Be thorough when reporting income.
• What's needed. Recent pay stubs; tax returns; profit and loss statements if you're self-employed; other income source statements, such as from Social Security, disability, pension, unemployment benefits, or rental income; domestic support or child support orders.
• Download Form 106I. Schedule I: Your Income

Schedule J: Your Expenses

You'll list your current monthly living expenses, such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities, on this form. Use actual amounts, not the standardized figures required by the means test.

• Tip. Don't overestimate expenses because the trustee might require receipts. An overblown expense could even trigger an audit.
• What's needed. Electricity, gas, water, internet, phone, and other utility bills; rent or mortgage statements; health, life, car, and home insurance policies (for premium amounts); food receipts or estimates; gas and vehicle repair receipts, public transport passes, and other vehicle expense documents; childcare expenses; prescription, copay, and other medical expense receipts; other household bills.
• Download Form 106J. Schedule J: Your Expenses

Declaration About an Individual Debtor's Schedules

This is the petition's signature page. On this form, you'll declare that the information provided in your bankruptcy schedules is correct under penalty of perjury.

• What's needed. Completed schedules.
• Download Form 106Dec. Declaration About an Individual Debtor's Schedules

Statement of Financial Affairs for Individuals Filing Bankruptcy

Often informally referred to as the SOFA, this comprehensive form provides detailed information about your financial history spanning up to ten years. You'll list past income, property transfers, lawsuits, foreclosures, gifts, insider payments, bank account closures, and more. The trustee will use the form to identify fraudulent or preferential transfers.

• Tip. The form is lengthy, and each question requires careful attention. Read the instructions closely. Many apply only if a transaction occurred during a particular timeframe or was for a certain amount.
• What's needed. Previous two years' tax returns; past year of bank statements; property transfer records; recent creditor payments; records of gifts and donations; closed bank account statements; receipt for prefiling credit counseling course; litigation documents if involved in a lawsuit; business financial records, if applicable.
• Download Form 107. Statement of Financial Affairs for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

Statement of Intention for Individuals Filing Under Chapter 7

This form allows you to explain what you'd like to do with the financed property you're still paying for. Your options include surrendering the property, redeeming it, or reaffirming it.

• Tip. Research the pros and cons of surrendering a vehicle versus reaffirming a car loan. Reaffirming the loan reinstates the contract between you and the lender, allowing you to keep the car. Still, you'll also remain responsible for the debt.
• What's needed. Loan agreements for secured property.
• Download Form 108. Statement of Intention for Individuals Filing Under Chapter 7

Notice Required by 11 U.S.C. §342(b) for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

There is nothing to complete on this form. It's required to ensure the filer is aware of the bankruptcy information on it. Include it with the packet.

• What's needed. Nothing.
• Download Form 2010. Notice Required by 11 U.S.C. § 342(b) for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Petition Preparer's Notice, Declaration and Signature

If you used a bankruptcy petition preparer (a non-attorney who prepares bankruptcy documents), this form discloses their information and fees.

• What's needed. Amount paid to bankruptcy petition preparer.
• Download Form 119. Bankruptcy Petition Preparer's Notice, Declaration and Signature

Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney for Debtor

If an attorney represents you, this form discloses the fees and compensation paid to your attorney for their services in the bankruptcy case.

• What's needed. Retainer agreement; receipts for attorney fees.
• Download Form 2030. Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney For Debtor

Creditor Matrix or List

You'll provide a mailing label list of your creditors using a format determined by your local bankruptcy court. The "Local Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms" section below explains how to find this requirement.

• What's needed. All creditor addresses from statements, collection notices, and credit reports; the court's local rules.
• Download form. Official form not available. Check with the local court for format requirements.

Your Statement About Your Social Security Numbers

You'll provide your full Social Security number for identification purposes. It's listed last because it isn't maintained as part of your bankruptcy petition. For privacy purposes, it isn't published publicly along with your other forms.

• What's needed. Social Security card.
• Download Form 121. Your Statement About Your Social Security Numbers

The Chapter 7 Means Test Forms

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is intended to help lower-income filers without the ability to repay creditors. Chapter 7 qualification requirements differ significantly from Chapter 13, which is designed for income earners who can repay some portion of their debts through a repayment plan.

The Chapter 7 means test involves a two-step evaluation that determines whether your income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If your gross income is sufficiently low, you'll pass after the first portion. If it's too high, you'll take the second portion, which allows you to lower your income by deducting expenses. The third form is for individuals who are entirely exempt from taking the Chapter 7 means test.

Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income

This form is the initial step in the Chapter 7 means test, which determines your eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on your income compared to the median income in your state.

• Tip. Use gross income amounts in your calculations.
• What's needed. Last six months of pay stubs; most recently filed tax return; income statements from all sources; state yearly family income amounts from the U.S. Trustee Program website.
• Download Form 122A-1. Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income

Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation

You'll need this form if your gross income exceeds the allowed amount. This portion of the means test lets you deduct expenses from your income. You'll qualify if the amount remaining isn't enough to make a meaningful payment to creditors through Chapter 13.

• Tip. Be aware that if Schedules I and J demonstrate you have discretionary funds that could be used to pay creditors, the trustee will recommend that your case be converted to Chapter 13 even if you pass this portion of the means test.
• What's needed. Income amounts from all sources for six full months.
• Download Form 122-A2. Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation

Statement of Exemption from Presumption of Abuse Under §707(b)(2)

Some people are exempt from the means test and don't need to take it. Being a disabled veteran or having more business debts than consumer debts are two qualifying exemptions.

• Tip. Use the form's instructions to assess whether you're exempt.
• What's needed. Allowed expense documentation for car loans, tax and domestic support arrearages, dependent care costs, and more; allowed expense amounts from the U.S. Trustee Program website.
• Download Form 122A-1Supp. Statement of Exemption from Presumption of Abuse Under §707(b)(2)

Do You Need to File All Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms?

Yes, you must file all of the required forms. Even if you don't have anything to report on a particular form, you must file it so that the court knows you have nothing to report regarding the specific topic.

For instance, suppose you don't have a mortgage, car payment, or any other secured debt to include on Schedule D. You must still complete the form. If you don't include the form, the court will assume you forgot to file it, not that you didn't have any property to disclose.

The only exception is that you only file as many means test forms as are needed because the outcome of the test determines the means test forms.

Forms You Might Need

In addition to the required forms, you'll find many others that could apply, depending on your particular circumstances. Below, we list common conditional forms and when you might need to file them.

Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You (Form 101A). If you're facing eviction and have a judgment against you, this form provides initial notice to the court about the eviction proceedings.

Statement About Payment of an Eviction Judgment Against You (Form 101B). In a few areas, the state law allows someone with an eviction judgment to pay what's owed and stay in the home. This is the form used to inform the court about any payments made towards an eviction judgment.

Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments (Form 103A). If you can't afford to pay the bankruptcy filing fee in a lump sum, this form allows you to propose a payment plan to the court.

Application to Have Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived (Form 103B). If your income is below a certain threshold and you cannot afford the filing fee, you may apply for a waiver using this form.

Schedule J-2: Expenses for Separate Household of Debtor 2 (Form 106J-2). This form is specifically for married individuals who are filing for Chapter 7 but live in separate households, allowing for separate expense calculations.

Additional Tips for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms

Below you'll find some helpful suggestions sure to ease the Chapter 7 process.

Locate Your Social Security Card

Your Social Security number is required to complete your bankruptcy petition. You'll also need it to identify yourself at the 341 meeting, unless the trustee agrees to accept another form. To ensure you're prepared, order your Social Security card now if you can't find it. It takes time to receive it, and if you don't have it for the 341 meeting, your case will be delayed until you receive it.

Use the Proper Name

Use your name exactly as it appears on the photo ID you intend to use to prove your identity at the 341 hearing (driver's license, government ID card, or passport). If the names don't match exactly, the trustee will likely require you to amend the petition to reflect the spelling on the ID.

Pull Credit Reports and Include All Creditors

It's highly recommended that you obtain copies of your credit reports before completing the forms. Creditors use different credit bureaus, and pulling the reports from all major bureaus will help you identify and list all creditors, including those you might have forgotten.

Notify Debt Collectors and Agencies

Don't expect the original creditor to inform various debt collectors and agencies about your bankruptcy. You can provide notice by including all debt collectors and collection agencies in the "List Others to Be Notified About a Debt That You Already Listed" section at the end of Schedule E/F. Don't list these parties as a separate debt because it will skew your total debt amount.

Protect Privacy

Protect your privacy, as required by bankruptcy law. When listing account numbers on forms, use only the last four digits. If you have minor children, refer to them as "minor child" rather than using their names. Also, when providing documents to the bankruptcy trustee, you should redact (black out) sensitive information like full account numbers and Social Security numbers unless they're required.

Learn How to View Forms

You'll want to become familiar with the online Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system and take the steps necessary to use it. You'll use PACER to view your case's status, as well as who the trustee is, any lawyers involved, and the creditors. All forms, pleadings, motions, and documents filed in the case are also listed in chronological order and can be viewed online. You can also search for other matters by name or case number. Keep in mind that you're allowed a small number of free views per quarter, after which you're charged, so use it only for the things you need.

What Happens Next

Once you file the forms, the automatic stay injunction goes into effect and stops most creditors from pursuing you. This stay is effective on foreclosures, repossessions, most wage garnishments and collection lawsuits, and other collection activities.

Need More Bankruptcy Help?

Did you know Nolo has made the law accessible for over fifty years? We wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, and you can find many more helpful bankruptcy articles on Nolo's bankruptcy homepage. These resources can explain what bankruptcy can do, what you'll want to avoid before filing for bankruptcy, and more. Additionally, information needed to complete the official downloadable bankruptcy forms is on the Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program website.

However, online articles and resources can't address all bankruptcy issues and aren't written with the facts of your particular case in mind. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.