Robert Peterson, Attorney at Law

Bankruptcy Interview Questions

Type of Bankruptcy Sought:

Chapter 7 (Debt elimination) Yes/No

Chapter 13 (Debt consolidation) Yes/No

Other Chapter? ___________________


Are you currently on active duty in the uniformed services?  Yes/No


Income and Means Test:

Disabled Veteran

1. Are you a Disabled Veteran whose debt was incurred during active duty or while performing homeland security activity? Yes/no



Reservist or National Guard Member

2. Are you a Reservist or National Guard member and called to active duty after September 11, 2001 for a period of at least 90 days? Yes/no

a. If yes, did you remain on active duty? Yes/ no

b. If yes, were you released from active duty less than 450 days before bankruptcy was filed? Yes/ No

i. If yes, list the date released from active duty________________

3. Are you a Reservist or National Guard member performing homeland defense activity for a period at least 90 days? Yes/No

a. Are you still performing homeland defense? Yes/No

b. Did you perform homeland defense terminating less than 540 days before bankruptcy case was filed? Yes/No

i. If yes, list the date of termination of homeland defense __________________

Non-Consumer Debts

4. Are your debts mostly Non-Consumer Debts (see list below)? Yes/No

Non-Consumer Debts include: Most tax debts; business or commercial debts; Insurance liabilities; Mortgages for investment or commercial purposes.

Consumer Debts include: personal, family or household debts; mortgage on your home; medical bills; student loans; credit cards; personal loans; car loans; loans for household goods.

Budget and Credit Counseling

5. Did you receive budget and credit counseling within the last 180 days? Yes/no

a. If yes, list name of agency and attach copy of certificate_______________________

b. If no, are urgent circumstances involved that would allow a waiver? (Realize that courts usually deny requests for waiver.) Yes/no

Interview Questions for Means Test

6. How many people in your household (not number of dependents- can include parents, grandparents, friends, or other relatives)? _____



7. Are you married? Yes/No

a. If yes, will you be filing jointly with your spouse? Yes/No

b. If yes, are you and your spouse legally separated? Yes/No

c. If yes, do you and your spouse live in separate households? Yes/No



8. List Dependents’ name, age, and relationship:



Your Income

9. Your occupation? _____________________________________

10. How long have you been employed? ________________

11. Your employer’s name? _________________________________________

12. Your employer’s address? __________________________________________

13. Your age? ___________

14. Your gross wages, salary and commissions from all jobs (Monthly income)? _____________

15. Your overtime wages per month? ____________________

16. Your taxes and social security payroll deductions? ____________________

17. Your insurance payroll deductions?__________________________

18. Your union dues and uniforms payroll deductions? ___________________________

19. Other payroll deductions? (specify) __________________________________________

20. Your gross receipts from operation of business or farm or profession? ______________

21. Your ordinary and necessary expense for operation of business, farm or profession? ___________

22. Your Gross receipts from real estate? ___________________

23. Your ordinary and necessary expense for operation of real estate? ________________

24. Your net income from real estate? ________________________________

25. Your interest and dividends? _____________________

26. Alimony or support you receive?_____________________________

27. Social Security or other government assistance you receive (specify)? _________________

28. Your income from pension or retirement? _________________________

29. Your unemployment? ____________________________

30. Your other income? _____________________________



Your Spouse’s Income

31. If married:

a. Your spouse’s occupation? ____________________________________

b. How Long Spouse has been employed? _____________

c. Your spouse’s employer’s name? ______________________________________

d. Your spouse’s employer’s address? _____________________________________

e. Your spouse’s age? _____________

f. Spouse’s gross wages, salary, and commissions from all jobs (monthly) _________________

g. Spouse’s overtime wages per month? _________________________

h. Spouse’s taxes and social security payroll deductions? ___________________

i. Spouse’s insurance payroll deductions? ___________________________

j. Spouse’s union dues and uniform payroll deductions? _________________________

k.. Spouse’s other deductions (specify)? ______________________________________

l. Spouse’s gross receipts from operation of business or farm or profession? _________

m. Spouse’s ordinary and necessary expenses for operation of business, farm or profession? ________________________

n. Spouse’s gross receipts from real estate? ________________

o. Spouse’s ordinary and necessary expense for operation of real estate? _______________

p. Spouse’s net income from real estate? _________________________

q. Spouse’s interest and dividends? ______________________________

r. Spouse’s alimony or support received? ___________________________

s. Spouse’s social security or other government assistance (specify)? ________________

t. Spouse’s income from pension or retirement? ___________________________

u. Spouse’s unemployment? ____________________________________

v. Spouse’s other income (specify)? _____________________________



32. Describe any changes of more than 10% in any of the above income categories that you anticipate to occur within the year following your bankruptcy. _________________________



Expenses- Do not include payments for debts that will be discharged

Home

33. Monthly Rent (including lot rent for mobile home) __________________

a. Are real estate taxes included? Yes/no

b. Is property insurance included? Yes/ No


34. Are you planning to continue to make payments on your mortgage after bankruptcy? Yes/no

35. Mortgage Company Name_______________________

36. Property Description________________________________________________

37. Monthly payment __________________

38. Total amount in missed or unpaid back payments ____________________

39. Total amount in arrears _________________________



Utilities (Monthly)

40. Electric and heating fuel ____________

41. Water and sewer _______________

42. Telecommunication (telephone, cell phone, pager, call waiting, caller id, internet) ________

43. Other utility (specify) __________________



Other

44. Home maintenance (repair and upkeep) ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________

45. Food ________________

46. Clothing ________________

47. Laundry and dry cleaning _____________________

48. Health care: medical and dental expense _________________________

49. Transportation (not car payment) _________________________

50. Recreation including clubs and entertainment, newspapers, magazines ____________________

51. Charitable contributions _____________



Insurance (Monthly)

52. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance ____________

53. Term life insurance ________________

54. Whole life insurance _________________

55. Disability insurance ___________________

56. Health insurance _____________________

57. Auto insurance _____________________

58. Other insurance ______________________



Taxes

59. Real estate taxes not included in mortgage ____________

60. Other taxes not deducted from wages ________________



Car Payments (for cars keeping after bankruptcy)

61. Name of auto loan company __________________________

62. Year and make of car ____________________________

63. Monthly payment _____________________________

64. Total in missed or unpaid back payments _______________

65. Does the payment include taxes or insurance? Yes/no



Other Future Payments (Don’t include debts discharged in bankruptcy)

66. Name of creditor ________________________

67. Description of property_____________________

68. Monthly payment __________________________

69. Total amount in missed or unpaid payments ___________________

70. Does the payment include taxes or insurance? Yes/No



Other Monthly Expenses

71. Child care (not education expenses) ____________

72. Alimony, maintenance and support paid to others __________

73. Payments for additional dependents not living at your home ______________

74. Health savings account expenses ___________________

75. Amounts paid for care and support of elderly, chronically ill, or disabled members of family or household ___________________________

76. Amount you pay to maintain safety of family under Family Violence Prevention Act or other federal law _______________________

77. Amount you pay for education of your children under 18 for elementary and secondary school (max can be $137.50 per child) _______________________

78. Education expense required for employment or for physically or mentally challenged dependent child __________________________

79. Other expenses (specify) _____________________

80. Total of all expenses listed _____________

81. Total of all income on income pages ____________

82. Excess income (Income minus expenses) _______________



83. If married, what amounts of spouse’s monthly income is not regularly contributed to household expenses? (Include payments made for: child and spousal support of others, care or maintenance of other persons not your dependents, spouse’s own tax obligations, spouse’s own medical bills, spouse’s own car payments, spouse’s own separate real estate, spouse’s own judgments, spouse’s own education) ______________________________



Prior Bankruptcy

84. Prior Bankruptcy Case Filed in the Last 8 years? Yes/ no

a. If yes, location filed? ____________________

b. If yes, Case number? _________________________

c. If yes, date? _____________________________



85. Is there a pending bankruptcy case filed by your spouse, partner or affiliate? Yes/No

a. If yes, Name of Debtor________________________

b. If yes, Location ______________________________

c. If yes, Date _______________________________

d. If yes, Case Number _________________________

e. If yes, relation _____________________________

f. If yes, Judge ________________________________



86. Name and Address of co-Debtors _________________________________________



Your Past Income from Employment or Business

87. Your current Income From January 1st to today __________________ Year ____________ Source __________________

88. Your last year’s income __________________________________ Year ___________ Source ________________

89. Your income Year before Last _____________________________ Year ___________ Source _________________

Your Past Income from Other Sources excluding Employment or Business

90. Your Current income from January 1st to today _________________ Year ___________

Source ____________________

91. Your Last year’s income _____________________________ Year ____________ Source ________________________

92. Your Income Year Before Last _____________________________ Year ____________ Source _______________________


Your Spouse’s Income
(If filing jointly)

Past Income from Employment or Business

93. Spouse’s current income from January 1st to today ___________________ Year _______ Source _____________________________

94. Spouse’s last year’s income ____________________________ Year ___________ Source ____________________________

95. Spouse’s income year before last _______________________ Year _____________ Source ___________________________

Past Income from Other Sources excluding employment or business

96. Spouse’s current income from January 1st to today ____________________ Year ________ Source __________________________

97. Spouse’s last year income __________________________ Year ______________ Source ___________________

98. Spouse’s income year before last ___________________ Year ________________ Source _____________________



Miscellaneous Questions

99. List all payments on loans, installment purchases of goods or services, and other debts, aggregating more than $600 to any creditor, made within 90 days immediately preceding the commencement of this case. _________________________________

100. Debtor whose debts are not primarily consumer debts: List all payments $5000 or more made within 90 days immediately preceding the commencement of this case to any one creditor. _____________________________________________________

101. List all payments made within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case to or for the benefit of creditors who are or were insiders. (only for corporations) _______________________________________

102. List all suits and administrative proceedings to which the debtor is or was a party within one year immediately preceding the filing of this bankruptcy case. ___________________________________________________________

103. Describe all property that has been attached, garnished or seized under any legal or equitable process within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. ____________________________________________________________

104. List all property that has been repossessed by a creditor, sold at a foreclosure sale, transferred through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or returned to the seller, within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. _______________________________________________________________

105. Describe any assignment of property for the benefit of creditors made within 120 days immediately preceding the commencement of this case. (Only for corporations) ________________________________________________________________

106. List all property which has been in the hands of a custodian, receiver, or court-appointed official within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. (Only for corporations) _________________________________________________________________

107. List all gifts or charitable contributions made within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case except ordinary and usual gifts to family members aggregating less than $200 in value per individual family member and charitable contributions aggregating less than $100 per recipient. _________________________________________________________

108. List all losses from fire, theft, other casualty or gambling within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case or since the commencement of this case. ________________________________________________________________

109. List all payments made or property transferred by or on behalf of the debtor to any persons, including attorneys, for consultation concerning debt consolidation, relief under the bankruptcy law or preparation of a petition in bankruptcy within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. _________________________________________________________________

110. List all other property, other than property transferred in the ordinary course of the business or financial affairs of the debtor, transferred either absolutely or as security within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. (only for corporations) ________________________________________________________________________

111. List all financial accounts and instruments held in the name of the debtor or for the benefit of the debtor which were closed, sold, or otherwise transferred within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. Include checking, savings, or toerh financial accounts, certificates of deposit, or other instruments; shares and share accounts held in banks, credit unions, pension funds, cooperatives, associations, brokerage houses and other financial institutions. ____________________________________________________


112. List each safe deposit or other box or depository in which the debtor has or had securities, cash, or other valuables within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. ____________________________________________________________

113. List all setoffs made by any creditor, including a bank, against a debt or deposit of the debtor within 90 days preceding the commencement of this case. (Only for corporations) __________________________________________________________________________

114. List all property owned by another person that the debtor holds or controls. __________________________________________________________________

115. If the debtor has moved within the two years immediately preceding the commencement of this case, list all premises which the debtor occupied during that period and vacated prior to the commencement of this case. (address and dates of occupancy) ____________________________________________________________________

116. If the debtor resides or resided in a community property state, commonwealth, or territory (including Alaska, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin) within the six-year period immediately preceding the commencement of the case, identify the name of the debtor’s spouse and of any former spouse who resides or resided with the debtor in the community property state. __________________________________________________________________________

117. List the name and address of every site for which the debtor has received notice in writing by a governmental unit that it may be liable or potentially liable under or in violation of an Environmental Law. Indicate the governmental unit, the date of the notice, and, if known, the Environmental Law. (only for corporations) __________________________________________________________________________

118. List the name and address of every site for which the debtor provided notice to a governmental unit of a release of Hazardous Material. Indicate the governmental unit to which the notice was sent and the date of the notice. (only for corporations). _____________________________________________________________________________

119. List all judicial or administrative proceedings, including settlements or orders, under any Environmental Law with respect to which the debtor is or was a party. Indicate the name and address of the governmental unit that is or was a party to the proceeding and the docket number. (only for corporations). ___________________________________________________

120. If the debtor is an individual, list the names, addresses, taxpayer identification numbers, nature of the businesses, and beginning and ending dates of all businesses in which the debtor was an officer, director, partner, or managing executive of a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or was a self-employed professional within the six years immediately preceding the commencement of this case, or in which the debtor owned 5% or more of the voting or equity securities within the six years immediately preceding the commencement of this case.

121. Identify any business listed in response to the above question that is a “single asset real estate” as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101. (only for corporations). _________________________________________________________________

122. Is the debtor a corporation or partnership or an individual debtor who is or has been, within the 6 years immediately preceding the commencement of this case, any of the following: an officer, director, managing executive, or owner of more than 5% of the voting or equity securities of a corporation; a partner, other than a limited partner, or a partnership; a sole proprietor or otherwise self employed? Yes/ No If yes, answer the subparts below.

a. List all bookkeepers and accountants who within the two years immediately preceding the filing of this bankruptcy case kept or supervised the keeping of books of account and records of the debtor. (only for corporations) ______________________________________________________________

b. List all firms or individuals who within the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of this bankruptcy case have audited the books of account and records, or prepared a financial statement of the debtor. (only for corporations). __________________________________________________________________

c. List all firms or individuals who at the time of the commencement of this case were in possession of the books of account and records of the debtor. If any of the books of account and records are not available, explain. (only for corporations). _________________________________________________________________

d. List all financial institutions, creditors and other parties, including mercantile and trade agencies, to whom a financial statement was issued within the 2 years immediately preceding the commencement of this case by the debtor. (Only for corporations). ________________________________________________________________

e. List the dates of the last two inventories taken of your property, the name of the person who supervised the taking of each inventory, and the dollar amount and basis of each inventory. (only for corporations) _______________________________________________________________________

f. List the name and address of the person having possession of the records of each of the two inventories reported above. (only for corporations). ______________________________________________________________________

g. If the debtor is a partnership, list the nature and percentage of partnership interest of each member of the partnership (only for partnerships). _______________________________________________________________________

h. If the debtor is a corporation, list all officers and directors of the corporation, and each stockholder who directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds 5% or more of the voting or equity sercurities of the corporation. (only for corporations). ____________________________________________________________________

i. If the debtor is a partnership, list each member who withdrew from the partnership within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. (only for partnerships). ______________________________________________________

j. If the debtor is a corporation, list all officers, or directors whose relationship with the corporation terminated within one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. (only for corporations). _________________________________________

k. If the debtor is a partnership or corporation, list all withdrawals or distributions credited or given to an insider, including compensation in any form, bonuses, loans, stock redemptions, options exercised and any other perquisite during one year immediately preceding the commencement of this case. __________________________________

l. If the debtor is a corporation, list the name and federal taxpayer identification number of the parent corporation of any consolidated group for tax purposes of which the debtor has been a member at any time within the 6-year period immediately preceding the commencement of the case. ___________________________________________

m. If the debtor is not an individual, list the name and federal taxpayer identification number of any pension fund to which the debtor, as an employer, has been responsible for contributing at any time within the 6-year period immediately preceding the commencement of the case. ____________________________________________



123. Creditors. List on separate sheet: name of creditor, address, phone number, interest rate, balance, monthly payment, months to repay, whether secured or not, type of debt



124. Court Filing Fee. Are you able to pay the court filing fee? Yes/No

a. If no, enter a reason for a fee waiver _____________________________________________________________________


b. In some cases, the court may allow payments of the court fee. I do not recommend this as you must justify this in front of a judge, and if you miss a payment, your case is dismissed. Would you like to try installment payments? Yes/No



Eviction

125. Are you in the process of eviction and your landlord has gotten a judgment ordering you to vacate residential property? Yes/No

a. If yes, Name of Landlord _______________________________

b. If yes, Address of Landlord ______________________________

c. To stop the eviction, you must give the court a deposit equal to one month’s rent at the time of filing or claim that under the law you are permitted to pay the money owed


Reaffirmation

126. Would you like to reaffirm any of your debts? Yes/no

a. If yes, list the amount of debt you would like to reaffirm ________________

b. If yes, list fees and costs accrued relating to this debt ___________________

c. If yes, list the total amount agreed to reaffirm _________________________

d. If yes, list the name of the creditor __________________________________

e. If yes, list the address of the creditor _________________________________





_________________________________________

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