US Bankruptcy Court, DRI Surveys

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Bankruptcy Checklist for Legal Clinic

Checklist for situations that can create problems that pro se debtors may not understand without the help of a lawyer.

1. Your name:

2. I have equity in my home (the value of my home is worth more than the mortgage(s) and unpaid taxes).

Yes
No

3. I am currently involved in a lawsuit, either being sued or suing someone else.

Yes
No

4. I have a reason to sue another person, business or company (Ex.: malpractice, personal injury, money owed).

Yes
No

5. I have a judgment against me

Yes
No

6. I have a pending employment or EEOC claim.

Yes
No

7. I have a workers' compensation claim.

Yes
No

8. I am entitled to receive an insurance payment.

Yes
No

9. I am facing fines from local or state entities.

Yes
No

10. I am filing (or already filed) a Chapter 13 case.

Yes
No

11. There is a lien on my driver's license or my license has been suspended.

Yes
No

12. I have outstanding student loans.

Yes
No

13. I had tax obligations assessed against me or I owe taxes to the IRS.

Yes
No

14. I am over two months behind in my car payments.

Yes
No

15. I had a garnishment filed against me.

Yes
No

16. I own real property (not including my home)

Yes
No

17. I rent out part of my house or run a business out of a part of my house.

Yes
No

18. I own property with someone other than my spouse.

Yes
No

19. My name is on the deed of someone else's property or on the title of someone else's car or truck.

Yes
No

20. I expect an inheritance within six months of filing (or within five years of filing if a Chapter 13 case).

Yes
No

21. I already filed for bankruptcy and received a Rule 2004 notice, depostiion notice, or request for documents.

Yes
No

22. I have personal property worth more than $5,000.

Yes
No

23. I've owned a business within the last 12 months.

Yes
No

24. I have or own an interest in a partnership, corporation or trust.

Yes
No

25. I owe past-due child support or alimony.

Yes
No

26. I have a limited understanding of English.

Yes
No

27. I transferred an automobile, truck, boat, personal watercraft within the last four years.

Yes
No

28. I removed my name from a bank account in the last four years.

Yes
No

29. I own real estate somewhere else in the world.

Yes
No

If you answered "yes" to one or more questions, you may have legal issues that will be difficult, if not impossible, to resolve without the help of an attorney. A mistake could cause you to lose property or your bankruptcy discharge.