What are the procedures of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
First, the eligible debtor should receive the required credit counseling. Next, the debtor, through his or her attorney, files a Chapter 7 Petition listing all assets, liabilities, and exempt property, as well as monthly income, expenses, a Means Test, and several other documents. Spouses can file a joint petition. The debtor then needs to provide certain documentation to the Court, Bankruptcy Trustee, or both, by certain dates, and then appear about a month later at a brief hearing before the Bankruptcy Trustee at which the Trustee, among other things, seeks to confirm what is in the Petition and asks questions to see if there are any available assets. The debtor is then required to take a Debtor Education Course and file a certificate of completion. Then, a few months later, if all goes well, a discharge is issued by the Court.
