- 1). Obtain credit counseling from a federally-approved credit counseling agency. The Bankruptcy Act of 2005 requires all debtors to attend a credit counseling session within 180 days before the date they file for bankruptcy. You can find a list of approved credit counselors on the U.S. Department of Justice website.
- 2). Download bankruptcy forms from the Maryland District Bankruptcy Court website. Download the bankruptcy petition, schedules A through J, summary of schedules, Exhibit D form, Statement of Social Security number, Chapter 13 Plan and Statement of Financial Affairs. You don't need the Monthly Income and Means Test and Statement of Intention forms unless you are also filing Chapter 7.
- 3). Complete the bankruptcy petition. Provide your name and contact information and indicate whether you are filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Check off the "Exhibit D" box and fill out and attach Exhibit D, which states that you completed credit counseling. Do not include your Social Security number on this form; instead provide it on the Statement of Social Security Number form. Sign and date the petition.
- 4). Complete Schedules A through J as appropriate. List all income, assets and property on these schedules. Transfer totals to the summary of schedules and to the Chapter 13 Plan. Report on the Chapter 13 Plan form how much you are capable of repaying each month.
- 5). Complete the Statement of Financial Affairs. Answer questions 1 through 18 to the best of your ability. If you own a business, you must also answer questions 19 through 25. Answer all questions honestly and sign the form.
- 6). Sign a form stating that you prepared the bankruptcy petition without the aid of an attorney. Also sign a notice to consumer debtors.
- 7). Type a mailing list of your creditors, also known as a matrix. Single space each creditor's name, address and phone number; skipping a space between creditors. Type only on one side of the paper; attach additional pages if necessary. When you have completed the list, visit the website for the Maryland District Court and print a copy of the Matrix Verification Form. Sign and date this form and attach it to the matrix and your petition.
- 8). Make a copy of the bankruptcy paperwork for each of your creditors and mail it to them. Download a certificate of service form from the Maryland District Court website for each creditor. Fill out and sign this form to show you sent the copy.
- 9). File your paperwork with the Maryland District Bankruptcy Court. As of 2011, you must pay a filing fee of $274 when you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you can apply to pay it in installments or for a fee waiver.
- 10
Check your mail for a notice from the Bankruptcy Court confirming that you filed for Chapter 13. The notice will provide the name of your bankruptcy trustee as well as the date and time of your first meeting with creditors. Send a copy of your most recent tax return to the trustee. You must also send a copy to any creditor who asks for it. - 11
Attend your first meeting with creditors and answer honestly and to the best of your ability any questions the bankruptcy trustee asks you. - 12
Check your mail for a notice stating that your Chapter 13 bankruptcy has been approved. The notice will tell you how much you must pay each month, for how long you must pay it and where to pay it. Make all structured repayments on time to discharge your bankruptcy.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -