What Documents You Need to File Bankruptcy in Chicago

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy in Chicago, one of the first questions that comes to mind is probably: what paperwork do I actually need? Gathering the right documents before you file can make the process go much more smoothly. While every situation is different, there is a core set of materials that the court will expect you to have in order.

Pulling Together Your Financial Records

Before anything gets filed with the court, you will need a clear picture of where you stand financially. That means collecting recent pay stubs, tax returns from the last two years, bank statements, and records of any other income sources. You will also want documentation of what you own, including vehicle titles, real estate deeds, and retirement or investment account statements. If you have outstanding loans, credit cards, or medical bills, gather those statements as well, since every creditor needs to be listed in your filing.

The Official Court Forms

The United States Courts maintain a complete set of Official Bankruptcy Forms that must be used when filing a case. These include the Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Official Form 101), the Schedules of Assets and Liabilities, and the Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107). For Chapter 7 filers, there is also the Means Test Calculation (Official Forms 122A-1 and 122A-2), which compares your income against the state median to determine eligibility.

The key forms and documents the court requires generally include:

Voluntary Petition (Official Form 101)
Schedules A/B through J covering property, exemptions, creditors, income, and expenses
Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107)
Statement About Your Social Security Numbers (Official Form 121)
Means Test Calculation for Chapter 7 filers (Official Forms 122A-1 and 122A-2), or the equivalent income statement for Chapter 13 (Official Form 122C-1)
Credit counseling certificate from an approved agency (required within 180 days before filing, per 11 U.S.C. § 109(h))
Government-issued photo ID
Filing fee payment or a fee waiver/installment application

A Step Many People Overlook

One document that surprises some filers is the credit counseling certificate. Under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h) of the Bankruptcy Code, anyone filing for personal bankruptcy must complete a credit counseling course from an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program before they file. The course is typically available online and takes only a short time to complete. After the bankruptcy is filed, a separate debtor education course is also required before a discharge can be granted. Both of these are mandatory steps, not optional ones.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Connect With a Chicago Bankruptcy Attorney

Knowing what documents you need is a solid starting point, but making sure everything is properly prepared and filed is where having the right support matters. Our Chicago bankruptcy attorneys can review your specific circumstances and help ensure that your paperwork is complete and accurate before anything goes to the court. At Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC, we are here to walk you through the process from start to finish. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Sources:

uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/bankruptcy-forms

uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title11-section109&num=0&edition=prelim