What to gather
An organized starting point for Chapter 7 preparation in the Eastern District of Michigan. Not every item applies to every client; additional case-specific documents may be required.
Download, gather, return securely
Download Document Checklist PDF
Upload everything through the office-approved encrypted portal through the secure upload form, never by ordinary email. Keep originals and use copies unless counsel requests otherwise. Tell us promptly if a record is unavailable rather than leaving it unexplained.
Organized by category
Identity & SSN proof
Government-issued photo ID or driver’s license; SSN card or other evidence of SSN. Last 4 digits only in questionnaire fields. Full court statement is handled separately and securely. Never email SSNs or ID photos.
Income & means test
Gather pay stubs and other income records for the six FULL calendar months before a potential filing to support the means-test calculation, plus current changes, severance, unemployment, disability, Social Security, support received and household contributions. This six-month preparation request is different from section 521(a)(1)(B)(iv)’s 60-day employer-payment-evidence rule. EDMI LBR 1007-1(f) directs counsel to transmit that 60-day material to the case administrator at least 7 days before the first meeting date and no later than 45 days after filing; clients upload to counsel’s secure portal, not ordinary email.
Banking, investments & budget
Bank, brokerage and credit-card statements, account registers, bonds and stock records for one year before filing, to the extent in your possession or readily available under EDMI LBR 2003-2(b). Include the statement covering the filing date, all accounts and closed-account records. Gather one year of support for income and expenses under LBR 2003-2(a), including bills, receipts and canceled checks where available.
Tax returns & refunds
Federal income tax return or transcript for the most recent tax year ending before the case for which a federal return was filed, with attachments. Section 521(e)(2)(A)(i) generally requires delivery to the case administrator no later than 7 days before the first meeting date. Gather state returns, earlier returns, refund and tax-debt records if relevant or requested; tell counsel if no return was filed. Do not assume a universal two-year federal Chapter 7 rule.
Retirement & benefits
Current 401(k), pension, IRA, annuity and other retirement/investment statements; plan identification, ownership and records of rollovers, withdrawals, loans or inherited accounts; benefit award letters and deposit records.
Home, land & other real estate
Deeds, recorded mortgages, unrecorded deeds, land contracts and leases for the six-year pre-filing period, current property-tax statements, appraisals and available recent valuations under LBR 2003-2(b). Include land, vacant lots, rental property, timeshares and shared interests, not only the home where you live. Gather mortgage statements and payoff information.
Vehicles & secured loans
Titles for currently owned vehicles, boats, mobile homes and other titled assets, originals if available otherwise copies; current secured-creditor statements, loan/lease contracts, insurance, payoff amounts and default notices. LBR 2003-2(b) applies regardless of when a currently owned titled asset was acquired.
Leases & ongoing contracts
Residential and other leases, vehicle leases, rent-to-own agreements, service contracts and related default, eviction or termination notices. Include deposits, co-signers and any person sharing the obligation.
Bills, lawsuits & collection
All creditor bills, collection letters, judgments, liens, garnishment writs, foreclosure/repo/shutoff notices, hearing and sale dates, personal guarantees and known disputed debts. Include medical, payday, credit-card, rent, utility, tax, educational and family obligations; do not rely solely on credit reports.
Insurance & support obligations
Life insurance policies owned by or insuring you, casualty policies and other relevant coverage; divorce judgments, property settlements, support/alimony orders and arrears records. Provide each domestic-support holder’s name, address and phone securely. Identify documents proving joint debt if claiming an entireties exemption. These categories appear in LBR 2003-2.
Business records, if applicable
Business financial statements and tax returns for three years and business bank statements for six months under LBR 2003-2(b), to the extent available. Add formation/ownership documents, assets, inventory, receivables, payroll, leases, guarantees and business debt details. Identify any prior or closed business.
Other interests, transfers & case requests
Records of gifts, transfers, payments to relatives, trusts, lawsuits you could bring, inheritances, insurance proceeds, prior bankruptcy cases and other property interests. Preserve keys to nonexempt buildings/vehicles if relevant; do not mail keys or originals without specific instructions. Further written case-specific requests and actual court notices may add requirements.
Upload documents securely
Use our active encrypted Cognito form for documents, photo ID, SSN proof and completed PDF questionnaires. Notification emails do not contain your confidential documents or answers.
Upload documents securelyNever email Social Security numbers, IDs or financial documents. Write only the last four SSN digits in questionnaire fields; provide identity proof through this secure form.
The separate verified SSN statement required by Rule 1007(f) and Official Form 121 is handled securely for the court; last-four-only questionnaire intake does not replace it.
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