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Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a federal statutory right. The official forms are free. The wizards below cover the full pro-se Ch7 filing package — Voluntary Petition page 1 (Form 101), Means Test (122A-1), Schedules I/J/A/B/C/D/E/F, Statement of Financial Affairs (107), Statement of Intention (108), and the fee-path forms (103A installments / 103B waiver). Formatted PDFs in minutes. Free, no signup required.
Page 1 of Form 101 — the debtor caption that appears at the top of every other Ch7 filing. Identity, residence, county, district, prior cases (§ 727 lookback), and fee path with a 180-day venue check.
Calculate your current monthly income from the last 6 months and compare it to your state median — the § 707(b) comparison Form 122A-1 asks about.
For filers above their state median. IRS Standards + § 707(b)(2)(A)(ii) deductions + 60-month disposable income, compared to the § 707(b)(2)(A)(i) safe-harbor thresholds.
Monthly income disclosure. Paired with Schedule J to prove the household budget; trustees compare both against the means test for disposable-income consistency.
Every current monthly household expense — housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, taxes, childcare, debt payments. Paired with Schedule I.
List all property you own: real estate, vehicles, household goods, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and business interests.
Claim property as exempt from the bankruptcy estate. Choose federal or state exemptions and cite the authorizing statute for each asset.
Every creditor: secured (mortgages, car loans), priority unsecured (taxes, support), and general unsecured (credit cards, medical bills).
The trustee-scrutiny disclosure. Prior addresses, 2 years of income, payments to creditors (90d) and insiders (1y), lawsuits, repos, garnishments, transfers (2y fraudulent-transfer window), closed accounts.
Tell the trustee what you plan to do with each piece of secured personal property — reaffirm, redeem, or surrender. Due within 30 days after filing or by the meeting of creditors, whichever is earlier (11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(2)(A)).
Apply to pay the Ch7 ($338) or Ch13 ($313) filing fee in up to 4 installments under FRBP 1006(b)(2). All installments due within 120 days of filing unless the court extends the time for cause.
Apply to waive the Ch7 filing fee entirely under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f)(1). Compares household income to the 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines (150% FPL) — the figure Form 103B asks about.
Yes. Individuals have the right to represent themselves under 28 U.S.C. § 1654. Most districts have a pro se bankruptcy helpdesk — call your local clerk.
The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338: the 28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1) filing fee plus the Judicial Conference's administrative and trustee fees. Form 103B asks the court to waive it; 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f)(1) allows a waiver for an individual whose income is less than 150% of the official poverty line and who cannot pay in installments. Form 103A asks to pay in installments.
No — but a bankruptcy attorney can prevent costly mistakes. If you have significant assets, ongoing lawsuits, or complex secured debts, an attorney is strongly recommended. For straightforward no-asset cases, many people file successfully pro se.
Chapter 7 discharge eliminates most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, deficiency balances). It does not discharge student loans (in most cases), recent taxes, domestic support obligations, or debts from fraud.
Not legal advice. SynthCounsel is not a law firm. Bankruptcy law is federal but has local rules that vary by district — confirm your district’s procedures at uscourts.gov before filing.
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