This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Emil J. Fleysher following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Emil J. Fleysher, the Founding Partner, has 15+ years of legal experience as a bankruptcy attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
At Fleysher Law Bankruptcy and Debt Attorneys, our Florida bankruptcy lawyers understand that the Chapter 7 bankruptcy forms you need might seem complex at first. Bankruptcy under Chapter 7 offers a fresh start for individuals burdened by debt and seeking relief through bankruptcy. You may eliminate many unsecured debts while keeping essential property through exemptions. This legal option helps individuals who are unable to repay their debts.
Filing for bankruptcy requires attention to official bankruptcy forms. The bankruptcy court and bankruptcy clerk rely on these documents to review your financial situation. Mistakes can delay your bankruptcy case or lead to dismissal. The bankruptcy trustee and bankruptcy judge use these forms to evaluate your eligibility.
Our team at Fleysher Law Bankruptcy and Debt Attorneys has helped numerous Florida residents successfully file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We have extensive experience handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases throughout the state of Florida. We guide you through the bankruptcy process and ensure your bankruptcy filing meets all requirements.
Bankruptcy forms serve as your financial disclosure to the court. Through these documents, you show your assets, debts, income, expenses, and recent financial transactions. The local bankruptcy court needs this information to verify that you qualify for Chapter 7 relief.
The main categories of required bankruptcy forms include:
Each form works together to create a complete picture of your finances for the bankruptcy trustee. Your bankruptcy discharge depends on accurate paperwork.
Failing to complete forms correctly can have serious legal consequences. The bankruptcy court may dismiss your case or deny your discharge. That's why working with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer makes the difference between success and failure.
The petition and schedules form the foundation of your bankruptcy case. These core documents tell the bankruptcy trustee who you are, what you own, and what you owe. They're the first documents reviewed when you file Chapter 7, making them critical to your filing.
These forms collect detailed information about your finances, including:
The court uses this information to determine if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We help our clients complete these forms with precision to avoid delays.
The voluntary petition (Form 101) acts as the cover page for your entire bankruptcy filing. This form officially requests bankruptcy protection and provides basic information about you. It's the first document in your bankruptcy paperwork and starts your case.
Key sections of this form include:
Many people make mistakes by forgetting to list all prior addresses or business names. Others file in the wrong bankruptcy district. We ensure your voluntary petition is complete and filed with the proper court clerk to avoid rejection.
Schedule A/B requires you to list all real and personal property you own. This includes your home, vehicles, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and bank accounts. The bankruptcy trustee reviews this form carefully to identify assets that might be sold to pay creditors.
Schedule C is where you claim exemptions to protect your property. Florida residents can choose between state and federal law exemptions, with Florida's homestead exemption being particularly generous. This form determines which property you can protect from liquidation in bankruptcy. We help you maximize your exemptions under Florida law to protect as much property as possible.
The statement of financial affairs provides the bankruptcy court with your recent financial history. This detailed form covers your income sources for the current and previous two years. It also includes recent payments to creditors, property transfers, and other financial documents.
Key sections include:
The form looks back several years for certain transactions to prevent hiding assets before filing. We make sure our clients understand the lookback periods and properly disclose all required information.
The means test, which is based on your average monthly income, determines your eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is not available to everyone; if your earnings exceed certain thresholds, you may need to file under Chapter 13 instead.
The calculation for the test starts with your average monthly earnings from all sources over the six months leading up to your filing. Your monthly net income is compared to Florida's median income for households of your size. If your monthly income is below the median, you automatically qualify for Chapter 7. If it's above, you'll need to complete the full means test to show you lack sufficient disposable income.
Local rules may require you to submit other documents that support your filing. These documents include information about secured creditors and your repayment plan. The court may also review your credit history and statistical information to assess your case.
Form 122A-1 guides you through the initial means test calculation step by step. The first part requires you to list all income sources from the six months before filing, including:
The court calculates your current monthly income by averaging these six months. Your credit report may also be reviewed as part of this process.
If your income exceeds Florida's median, you'll complete Form 122A-2. This form allows for deductions like taxes, secured debt payments, and health insurance. After these deductions, if you still have significant disposable income, the court may presume you're abusing the bankruptcy code.
Florida's median income varies by household size and is updated regularly. As of 2025, the median annual income figures are:
These figures serve as crucial benchmarks in your Chapter 7 eligibility.
Being below these thresholds creates a straightforward path to Chapter 7. If your income exceeds these amounts, you'll need to complete the full means test with all applicable deductions. Even with higher income, many Florida residents still qualify for Chapter 7 after accounting for allowed expenses. We analyze your specific financial situation to determine your best bankruptcy options.
Each bankruptcy district in Florida has its own local forms and rules, in addition to the standard official bankruptcy forms. These local requirements can affect how documents must be formatted and what additional information you need to provide.
Florida has three bankruptcy districts:
Each district has different local forms. For example, the Southern District requires a Local Form 1019.1 for real property, while the Middle District has specific wage deduction forms. Our team at Fleysher Law is well-versed in the requirements of all Florida bankruptcy courts. We ensure your paperwork complies with both federal law and local bankruptcy court rules.
Schedule G executory contracts require you to list all executory contracts and unexpired leases. An executory contract is any agreement where both parties still have obligations to perform, such as:
The bankruptcy court needs to be aware of these ongoing obligations to determine how they'll be handled.
When listing these on Schedule G, you must decide whether to "assume" (keep) or "reject" (cancel) each contract or lease. If you reject a lease, you may walk away from future obligations. The other party can file unsecured claims for damages. If you assume it, you'll need to stay current on payments.
Student loan debt requires special attention in your bankruptcy forms. Unlike most unsecured debts, student loans are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy unless you can prove "undue hardship"—a difficult standard to meet.
When reporting student loan debt on your bankruptcy forms, you must:
Although these debts typically survive bankruptcy, proper reporting is crucial to ensure their effective management. Our bankruptcy attorneys can provide guidance on the impact of student loans on your situation and assess your eligibility for the uncommon hardship discharge.
Completing a financial management course is mandatory for receiving your bankruptcy discharge. This requirement is separate from the required credit counseling course you must take before filing for bankruptcy. The financial management course teaches budgeting skills to help you maintain financial stability after bankruptcy.
Steps to complete this requirement:
This form must be submitted before you can receive your discharge. We connect our clients with approved agencies that offer these courses online, by phone, or in person.
Reviewing your bankruptcy forms before submission can prevent costly delays. Many bankruptcy courts now offer test forms online to check for common errors before filing. This helps you catch mistakes that might lead to rejection.
Common errors include:
We thoroughly review all bankruptcy paperwork before filing. Our experience helps spot and fix potential issues. This thorough review process helps ensure that your bankruptcy case proceeds smoothly from the outset.
Some bankruptcy cases require other bankruptcy forms beyond the standard set. These special circumstances might include:
Examples include Form 106D for secured claims, where you hold claims secured by property as collateral. Form 106J-2 must be completed to report separate household expenses if you have a non-filing spouse. The Statement of Intention is required for secured debts, such as car loans or mortgages. If you have an eviction judgment against you, specific sections of Form 101A must be completed. Our bankruptcy lawyers handle both standard and complex cases.
Proper organization of your bankruptcy paperwork makes the filing process smoother and more efficient. We wholeheartedly encourage research and preparation before your consultation. Creating a system for your documents helps you meet deadlines and ensures nothing gets missed.
Documents to organize include:
When consulting with our bankruptcy attorneys, bringing these financial statements speeds up the preparation of your forms. We provide our clients with a detailed checklist to prepare for their free consultation.
Bankruptcy petitions get rejected for several common reasons. Understanding these pitfalls can save you time and frustration when filing for bankruptcy.
Reasons for rejection include:
To ensure your filing is accepted, double-check all forms for completeness. Verify that information is consistent across all documents. Obtain credit counseling from an approved agency before filing. Make sure you've included the correct filing fee or fee waiver application. Our experience with bankruptcy issues helps prevent rejection problems.
At Fleysher Law, our team specializes in personal bankruptcy cases throughout Florida. We help individuals filing for bankruptcy with both chapter 7 and chapter 13 cases. Our court clerk's experience and knowledge of the bankruptcy code ensure proper filing of all documents. We understand the stress of financial problems and can guide you through the legal consequences of bankruptcy.
Ready to take the first step? Contact our Florida bankruptcy lawyers today for a free consultation. Call us and let us help you understand your options and start building a brighter financial future free from overwhelming debt. The online articles on our website also provide additional resources about the bankruptcy process.
Emil specializes in consumer bankruptcy, debt settlement, and mortgage modification, offering a holistic approach to solving mortgage and debt problems. Emil listens to clients, understands their circumstances and goals, and helps them make the right choices by presenting all options and contingencies.
He is dedicated to helping South Floridians regain their financial freedom from overwhelming debt caused by high interest credit cards, bad mortgage loans, and uninsured medical expenses.
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