- 1). Prepare a comprehensive list of all of your debts. Include on this list the names of your creditors, the amount due each, the addresses of the creditor and your account numbers with your creditors.
- 2). Gather statements from the past quarter (three months) from all of your financial accounts. This includes savings and checking accounts as well as any investments that you own.
- 3). Obtain copies of pay stubs for the past three months. You must verify your income in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing.
- 4). Organize your federal income tax returns for the past three years. These returns will be used to document your income and other earnings.
- 5). Obtain a computer software program or hard copy forms to use to prepare your petition for bankruptcy and any associated documents. You can find these software programs at most major office supply stores as well as at software retailers. Hard copy forms also can be found at many office supply stores. In some states, the bankruptcy court will have a packet of standard form documents necessary for a filing.
- 6). Complete the petition for bankruptcy, including the matrix of creditors. This list will contain the comprehensive information that you compiled regarding all of your creditors.
- 7). Consider preparing a motion, which will be included on any software application or amongst the hard copy standard forms, seeking court permission to pay your filing fee in installments. Because you are not paying attorney fees, the court is likely to grant your request.
- 8). Contact the clerk of the bankruptcy court and find out how many additional copies beyond the originals of the petition and related materials that you need to file with the court.
- 9). Go to the clerk of the bankruptcy court at the United States Courthouse in your area. File the bankruptcy petition and related documents together with the required copies. Make sure that you keep at least one extra copy for yourself. Have the clerk "file stamp" that copy so that you have a record of when the case was filed.
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