Once a debtor decides to file bankruptcy, he or she must get all of his or her financial records together to satisfy bankruptcy court requirements. The debtor will need to know every amount due to creditors. The bankruptcy attorney will provide a Bankruptcy Worksheet to retain this information. All questions must be answered, as they will be used in filing the appropriate forms for the bankruptcy court.

The following bankruptcy documents can be filed once the petition has been put on record. However, if time permits, the debtor should file them with the petition:

  • Schedules of assets and liabilities
  • A schedule of current income and expenditures
  • A schedule of executory contracts and unexpired leases
  • A statement of financial affairs
  • Copies of all payment advances or other evidence of payment, if any, received by the debtor from an employer within 60 days before the filing of the petition
  • A record of any interest that the debtor has in an account or program of the type specified in 521(c) of the Code

The court will also require court-approved credit counseling and a personal finance management course. The free Bankruptcy Worksheet is a good place to start for anyone considering the legal issues surrounding personal or business bankruptcy.  Or, you can find a bankruptcy lawyer to help you with credit and bankruptcy legal information so you can decide on the right bankruptcy filing.