If hiring an attorney is not possible, download Local Bankruptcy Form 100 (for individuals) or Local Bankruptcy Form 200 (for partnerships, corporations, etc.) which provides a list of all the forms necessary for each chapter and detailed instructions on how to assemble the petition packets.

A petition packet is made up of two kinds of required forms, Official Forms (OFs) and Local Bankruptcy Forms (LBFs).

• Official Forms (Voluntary Petition, Schedules A - J, Statement of Financial Affairs, etc.) can be obtained electronically from the U.S. Courts website. Click here to access Official Forms.
• Local Bankruptcy Forms (Individual Debtor’s Application to Pay Fees in Installments, Chapter 12 and 13 Plans, etc.). Click here to access Local Bankruptcy Forms.

A Certificate of Credit Counseling Briefing must also be filed with your petition, but it is not part of the petition packet. To obtain this certificate, you must complete credit counseling briefing with an approved agency within 180 day before filing your petition.  For a list of approved agencies, see the U.S. trustee's website.