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Filing Without an Attorney

Individuals who are thinking of filing a bankruptcy petition without an attorney should visit the Federal Judiciary's national web site

Bankruptcy Basics - Information and Videos

Deputy clerks cannot give legal advice or help parties fill out documents that are to be filed with the court.
We urge parties to hire an attorney. They may also contact the agencies below for legal advice or assistance in finding an attorney or filling out court documents. In addition, parties that meet certain requirements may qualify to receive legal assistance at a reduced cost.

Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Information
To be eligible to file for bankruptcy relief on or after September 16, 2009, individuals are required to obtain pre-bankruptcy credit counseling. Also, individuals filing for bankruptcy relief on or after that date are required to complete a personal financial management instructional course (debtor education) in order to receive a discharge.

ONLINE TOOL

eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney. Click here to learn more about this online tool

The following resources are included to assist you. Also, you may view local rules and “Bankruptcy Basics”.

  1. Required Lists, Schedules, Statements and Fees (Form 2000)
  2. Court Fees
  3. Voluntary Petition (Form 101), Schedules (Form 106), Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)
  4. Notice to Individual Consumer Debtor (Form 2010)
  5. Statement of Social Security Number (Form 121)
  6. Chapter 7 Individual Debtor’s Statement of Intention (Form 108)
  7. Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means Test Calculation (Forms 122A-1 and 122A-2) (For Use in Chapter 7 Only)
  8. Census Bureau Median Family Income by Family Size
  9. Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income (Form 122C-1) (For Use in Chapter 13)
  10. Louisiana Exemptions
  11. Statement of Current Monthly Income (Form 122B) (For Use in Chapter 11)
  12. Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (Form 103A)
  13. Application For Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee (Form 103B)
  14. Poverty Guidelines
  15. Reaffirmation Agreement (Form 2400)
  16. Request to Reschedule 341(a) Meeting of Creditors and Consent to Extend Deadlines

Debtor's Duties under Section 521

Debtors should be aware of their duties under Section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code to file certain documents. Failing to do so could result in the dismissal of the bankruptcy case. If individual chapter 7 or 13 debtors do not file certain information required by Section 521(a)(1) within 45 days after the filing of the petition, the case will be automatically dismissed on the 46th day after the date of the filing of the petition.