As an individual considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, what is the mandatory pre-filing requirement? What are the essential documents I need to file to start my case? Finally, where on this website can I find and download the local bankruptcy forms?
Navigate to dcb.uscourts.gov. Locate and navigate to the 'Understanding Bankruptcy' section. From the 'Understanding Bankruptcy' section, navigate to the 'What Do I Need to File?' page. On the 'What Do I Need to File?' page, find and click the 'GENERAL FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR DEBTORS' link. On the 'General Filing Requirements for Debtors' page, identify the mandatory pre-filing credit counseling requirement and the list of essential documents needed to commence an individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. Return to the 'What Do I Need to File?' page. Identify the specific link or section for downloading local bankruptcy forms.
State that pre-petition credit counseling is a mandatory requirement for individual debtors, with a warning that failure to obtain it will lead to case dismissal unless statutory exceptions apply. List the essential documents needed to start an individual bankruptcy case as: a completed petition, a mailing matrix and list of creditors, a Statement of Your Social Security Numbers, and the filing fee (or a properly executed application for installment payments or waiver). Identify the location for local bankruptcy forms as the 'Court's Local Forms' link found on the 'What Do I Need to File?' page.