Schedule J — Your Expenses
Official Form 106J is required with every bankruptcy petition. It captures your current monthly household expenses. Paired with Schedule I (income), it shows the trustee your monthly cash flow. The wizard walks you through every line of the form and generates a court-ready PDF — free, no signup required.
Debtor information
Enter your name and case number exactly as they appear on your bankruptcy petition. If you don’t have a case number yet, leave it blank.
e.g., spouse (42), child (10), child (8)
Common questions
What is Schedule J in bankruptcy?
Schedule J (Official Form 106J) reports your current monthly household expenses alongside Schedule I (income). The trustee uses both to evaluate cash flow and, in Chapter 7, whether surplus income exists.
Do I list my mortgage payment on Schedule J?
Yes — your full monthly mortgage or rent payment goes on the first line. Do not deduct escrow amounts; list the total payment.
What if my expenses vary month to month?
Use your 6-month average. For annual or quarterly bills, divide by 12 to get the monthly figure.
Can expenses exceed income on Schedule J?
Yes. Negative cash flow is common in Chapter 7 filings. In Chapter 13, you need positive disposable income to fund the plan.
Means test (Form 122A-1) — free
Before Schedule J, confirm you qualify for Chapter 7. The means test compares your household income to the state median. If you’re below, no presumption of abuse arises.
Open means test wizardCase Pass — $149
All bankruptcy forms, schedules, the means test, statement of intention, and unlimited follow-up questions for one case, 12 months.
Compare plansNot legal advice. SynthCounsel is not a law firm. Bankruptcy law varies and individual circumstances matter — consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney or a bankruptcy petition preparer before filing.