Question what is needed to file

[irishtemper]

Do I need to provide just my previous years tax return when filing for bankruptcy or can they go back more than 1 year?

What else do I need to provide?

[justbroke]

Are you filing pro se? If so, check your local Bankruptcy Court's Website for specifically what needs to be in your petition package!

Here's an example of a Case Opening Checklist (Check your local Court to see if they have a similar one)

1. Petition with original signature(s) of Attorney and Debtor(s) (All Chapters)
2. Exhibit “A” (Chapter 11 Corporation)
3. Filing Fee (All Chapters)
4. List of 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors (Chapter 11)
5. Summary of Schedules (All Chapters)
6. Schedule A - Real Property (All Chapters)
7. Schedule B - Personal Property (All Chapters)
8. Schedule C - Property Claimed as Exempt (All Chapters)
9. Schedule D - Creditors Holding Secured Claims (All Chapters)
10. Schedule E - Creditors Holding Unsecured Priority Claims (All Chapters)
11. Schedule G - Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (All Chapters)
12. Schedule H - Co-debtors (All Chapters)
13. Schedule I - Current Income of Individual Debtor(s) (All Chapters)
14. Schedule J - Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s) (All Chapters)
15. Unsworn Declaration under Penalty of Perjury Concerning Debtor’s Schedules (All Chapters)
16. Statement of Financial Affairs (All Chapters)
17. Statement of Intention (Chapter 7)
18. Matrix in compliance with Local Rule (All Chapters)
19. List of 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors Matrix (Chapter 11)
20. Attorney’s Disclosure of Compensation (All Chapters)
21. Chapter 13 Plan (Chapter 13)

A couple of things not listed above are "60 Days of Payroll Advices/Statements" and "Most Recent Tax Return". (Noting that you need to file all your tax returns and be current in your filing of the same.)

Also, there may be LOCAL FORMS that you must submit. For example, in my District, there's a Statement of Social Security Number.

Always ask the Clerk of the Court for the Checklist and for any special, esoteric, local forms.

[irishtemper]

I am thinking of filing myself but if it is resonable, I will get an attorney. I think I can get a waiver for the filing fees, I am on disability and get $1,599 a month. most of the money goes to rent and utilities.

[justbroke]

You should at least purchase the electronic or paperback version of the NoLo Chapter 7 guide. There's a coupon code (A416) that will give you $10, so making it abour $8 for the eBook. Without the coupon it's about $20.