How to File Bankruptcy Without an Attorney

Filing bankruptcy without a lawyer — called "pro se" filing — is legal and increasingly common. More than 800,000 Americans file bankruptcy each year, and many handle the process themselves. Here's a step-by-step overview of how the process works when you file pro se.

Step 1: Determine Which Chapter to File

The two most common options for individuals are Chapter 7 (quick liquidation, 3–6 month timeline) and Chapter 13 (3–5 year repayment plan, keeps assets). Your eligibility depends partly on income — the means test determines whether Chapter 7 is available to you.

Easy-Case's free screener analyzes your income, household size, and situation in about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Complete Credit Counseling

Before you can file, you must complete a credit counseling course from a court-approved provider. The course:

• Is available online or by phone
• Takes about 1–2 hours
• Costs roughly $10–$50 (fee waivers often available)
• Must be completed within 180 days before your filing date

You'll receive a certificate of completion that must be filed with your petition. Learn more about credit counseling.

Step 3: Gather Your Financial Documents

The bankruptcy forms require detailed financial information. Collect:

• Last 6 months of pay stubs (all sources of income)
• Last 2 years of federal tax returns
• Last 3–6 months of bank statements (all accounts)
• All debt statements: credit cards, medical bills, loans, mortgage, car loans
• Titles or deeds for any real estate or vehicles you own
• Recent appraisals or estimated values for significant property

Step 4: Complete Your Petition and Schedules

The bankruptcy petition is a package of official forms that tells the court and trustee about your financial situation. Key forms include:

• Voluntary Petition (B101): Basic identifying information, chapter selection, type of debts
• Schedule A/B: All property you own
• Schedule C: Property you're claiming as exempt
• Schedule D/E/F: All your creditors (secured, priority, unsecured)
• Schedule I/J: Your current income and expenses
• Statement of Financial Affairs: Recent transactions, lawsuits, payments to creditors
• Means Test (B122A or B122C): Income calculation for eligibility

Easy-Case fills all of these forms automatically from your interview answers — you don't need to find or complete each form manually.

Step 5: File With the Bankruptcy Court

Once your petition is complete, file it with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for your district. You'll pay the court filing fee ($338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13) at this time, or apply for a fee waiver or installment plan.

Filing can be done in person at the courthouse or, in many districts, electronically. Easy-Case's petition packet is formatted for your district.

Step 6: Attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors

About 3–6 weeks after filing, you'll attend a short meeting called the 341 meeting. The bankruptcy trustee will ask you to confirm information from your petition under oath. Creditors may attend but rarely do for simple cases. The meeting usually lasts 5–10 minutes.

Step 7: Complete the Debtor Education Course

After filing, you must complete a second course — a "debtor education" or "personal financial management" course — before your discharge can be issued. This is different from the pre-filing credit counseling course. It typically takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50.

Step 8: Receive Your Discharge

In Chapter 7, the court issues a discharge order roughly 60–90 days after your 341 meeting, assuming no objections. In Chapter 13, discharge comes after you complete your full repayment plan (3–5 years).

See the full timeline for details by chapter.

How Easy-Case Automates the Hard Parts

Easy-Case guides you through every question in plain language, fills all required forms from your answers, checks for completeness, and generates a complete court-ready PDF packet — including district-specific local forms. The goal is to make pro se filing as straightforward as filing your taxes online.

Learn whether you need a lawyer or start with the free screener to see which chapter may fit your situation.