Chapter 7 prep, in order.

11 U.S.C. § 109(h) requires the credit-counseling briefing BEFORE filing. Several steps run at the same time — start them early.

• Pre-filing credit counseling certificate

  From an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency, during the 180-day period ending on the filing date (§ 109(h)(1)). The briefing may be by telephone or on the Internet. Provider list at justice.gov/ust/credit-counseling-debtor-education-information.

• Means Test (Form 122A-1) — completed

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  Line 14a (annualized income at or below the median) directs box 1, "There is no presumption of abuse." Line 14b (above the median) directs box 2 and Form 122A-2.

• Pay stubs — received in the 60 days before filing

  11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv) covers payment advices from any employer. Get them from your employer's payroll portal or by request.

• Most recent federal tax return

  Goes to the trustee no later than 7 days before the first date set for the meeting of creditors (§ 521(e)(2)(A)(i)). The trustee may compare it with your Schedule I income.

• Recent bank statements

  All checking + savings accounts. Trustees look for unreported income, asset transfers, and large purchases.

List every asset and every creditor. An asset or creditor left off a schedule causes problems that are hard to undo after filing.

• Schedule A/B — Assets

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  Real property, vehicles, household goods, accounts, retirement, business interests, expected refunds.

• Schedule C — Exemptions

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  Federal vs state exemption choice (where your state allows one) + the law allowing each exemption claimed.

• Schedule D/E/F — Creditors

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  Secured (D), priority unsecured (E), general unsecured (F). Missing creditors = debts NOT discharged.

• Schedule J — Monthly Expenses

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  Every monthly outflow used by the trustee to assess disposable income.

• Statement of Intention (Form 108)

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  For each secured debt: reaffirm, redeem, or surrender. Filed within 30 days after the petition or by the meeting of creditors, whichever is earlier (11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(2)(A)).

• Voluntary Petition (Form 101)

  Court-issued cover form. Get it from uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.

• Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)

  Disclosures of payments to creditors in last 90 days, gifts, lawsuits, business income, etc. Court-issued form.

File everything together. A missing schedule or statement can lead to dismissal.

• Filing fee or fee-waiver request

  The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338 (28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1) 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 up to 4 installments (FRBP 1006(b)).

• File at U.S. Bankruptcy Court for your district

  Find your district at uscourts.gov/court_locator. Some districts allow pro se electronic filing; others require paper.

• Receive case number + automatic stay

  The automatic stay under § 362 stops collection efforts the moment the petition is filed. Notify creditors with your case number — most stop immediately, but write ones who don't.

Two more required steps after the petition is filed.

• 341 Meeting of Creditors

  In a Chapter 7 case the U.S. trustee sets the meeting no fewer than 21 and no more than 40 days after the order for relief (FRBP 2003(a)(1)(A)). The trustee asks questions under oath about your schedules. Bring photo ID and proof of your Social Security number.

• Financial-management (debtor education) course

  Completing a personal financial-management course after filing is a condition of the Chapter 7 discharge (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(11)). Use a USTP-approved provider. Unless the provider notifies the court for you, file the certificate within 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors (FRBP 1007(c)(4)(A)).

• Respond to trustee document requests

  Trustee may request tax returns, bank statements, vehicle titles, retirement account statements. Respond promptly.

• Discharge entered

  The court enters the discharge order (Official Form 318) and sends notice of it. Timing varies by district and by case.