Legal Packet

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IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

FOR THE [NORTHERN / SOUTHERN] DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI

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In re: ) Chapter 7

)

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], ) Case No.: _______________

)

Debtor. ) (If known)

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VOLUNTARY PETITION

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1. NAME OF DEBTOR (if individual, enter Last, First, Middle):

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Also known as: [ANY ALIASES OR PRIOR NAMES]

1. ALL OTHER NAMES USED BY THE DEBTOR IN THE LAST 8 YEARS:

[LIST ANY OTHER NAMES, INCLUDING MAIDEN NAME, MARRIED NAME,

TRADE NAMES, OR NICKNAMES USED FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES]

1. ADDRESS:

Mailing Address: [STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY], MS [ZIP CODE]

Location of Principal Assets (if different): [ADDRESS OR "SAME"]

1. TYPE OF DEBTOR:

[X] Individual (includes Joint Debtors)

[ ] Corporation

[ ] Partnership

[ ] Other: _______________

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS:

[ ] None (Consumer/Personal)

[X] Healthcare

[ ] Retail

[ ] Real Estate

[ ] Other: _______________

1. CHAPTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE UNDER WHICH THE PETITION IS FILED:

[X] Chapter 7

1. FILING FEE:

[X] $338.00 filing fee paid with petition

[ ] Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments attached

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EXHIBIT A/B: ASSETS

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1. REAL ESTATE:

[ ] None

Property 1:

• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Type: [SINGLE FAMILY / CONDO / LAND / OTHER]
• Ownership: [FEE SIMPLE / JOINT TENANCY / OTHER]
• Current Value: $[AMOUNT]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]

1. VEHICLES:

Vehicle 1:

• Year/Make/Model: [YEAR MAKE MODEL]
• Current Value: $[AMOUNT]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]

1. PERSONAL PROPERTY:

• Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
• Checking accounts: $[AMOUNT] — [BANK NAME]
• Savings accounts: $[AMOUNT] — [BANK NAME]
• Household goods and furnishings: $[AMOUNT]
• Clothing: $[AMOUNT]
• Jewelry: $[AMOUNT]
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA): $[AMOUNT]
• Other: [DESCRIBE]

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EXHIBIT C: LIABILITIES

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1. SECURED CLAIMS:

Creditor 1:

• Name: [CREDITOR NAME]
• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Account Number: [LAST 4 DIGITS]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]
• Collateral: [PROPERTY SECURING THE DEBT]

1. UNSECURED CLAIMS:

Creditor 1:

• Name: [CREDITOR NAME]
• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Account Number: [LAST 4 DIGITS]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]
• Type: [CREDIT CARD / MEDICAL / PERSONAL LOAN / OTHER]

[LIST ALL UNSECURED CREDITORS]

1. TOTAL UNSECURED DEBT: $[TOTAL AMOUNT]

TOTAL SECURED DEBT: $[TOTAL AMOUNT]

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EXHIBIT D: SCHEDULE OF INCOME

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1. EMPLOYMENT:

Occupation: [OCCUPATION]

Employer Name: [EMPLOYER NAME]

Employer Address: [ADDRESS]

How long employed: [YEARS/MONTHS]

1. CURRENT MONTHLY INCOME:

• Gross wages/salary: $[AMOUNT]
• Net income after payroll deductions: $[AMOUNT]
• Other income (specify): $[AMOUNT]
• Total monthly income: $[AMOUNT]

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EXHIBIT E: SCHEDULE OF EXPENSES

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1. CURRENT MONTHLY EXPENSES:

• Rent or mortgage: $[AMOUNT]
• Utilities: $[AMOUNT]
• Food: $[AMOUNT]
• Transportation: $[AMOUNT]
• Insurance: $[AMOUNT]
• Medical/dental: $[AMOUNT]
• Clothing: $[AMOUNT]
• Other: $[AMOUNT]
• Total monthly expenses: $[AMOUNT]

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STATEMENT OF INTENTION

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1. INTENTIONS REGARDING SECURED PROPERTY:

[ ] I intend to retain the property and continue payments

[ ] I intend to surrender the property

[ ] I intend to redeem the property

[ ] Not applicable

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MEANS TEST DECLARATION

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1. I declare that I have completed the Chapter 7 Statement of Currently

Monthly Income (Official Form 122A-1) and:

[ ] My current monthly income is less than the applicable median family

income for Mississippi, and I am not required to complete the means

test calculation.

[ ] My current monthly income exceeds the applicable median family income

for Mississippi, and I have completed the means test calculation

(Official Form 122A-2), which shows that I qualify for Chapter 7.

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DECLARATION

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I declare under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this

petition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and

belief.

Executed on: _______________

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[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Debtor (Signature)

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[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME - PRINTED]

Debtor (Print Name)

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MISSISSIPPI BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTIONS

(Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-1 et seq.)

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Mississippi allows debtors to choose between Mississippi state exemptions

and federal bankruptcy exemptions (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)). Choose whichever

benefits you more.

MISSISSIPPI STATE EXEMPTIONS:

1. HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION (Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-21):

• Up to 160 acres of land (or 1/4 acre in city/town) used as residence
• No dollar limit — exemption based on acreage, not value
• Must be occupied as principal residence

1. PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS (Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-1):

• Wearing apparel necessary for debtor and family
• Beds, bedsteads, and bedding for debtor and family
• Household and kitchen furniture up to $10,000
• One automobile up to $10,000 in value
• Tools of the trade up to $10,000
• Books, pictures, and musical instruments up to $1,000
• Provisions for 60 days

1. RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS:

• ERISA-qualified retirement plans (401k, pension, profit-sharing)
• IRAs and Roth IRAs
• Public employee pensions
• Teachers' Retirement System

1. PUBLIC BENEFITS:

• Workers' compensation
• Unemployment compensation
• Social Security benefits
• Veterans' benefits
• Public assistance

1. LIFE INSURANCE:

• Proceeds if beneficiary is surviving spouse or child
• Cash surrender value up to $10,000

1. WAGES:

• Earned but unpaid wages for 30 days
• Professional earnings up to $2,000

1. OTHER EXEMPTIONS:

• Alimony and support to extent necessary for support
• Wrongful death and personal injury awards
• Tax refunds from earned income credit

FEDERAL EXEMPTIONS (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)):

If you choose federal exemptions:

1. HOMESTEAD: Up to $27,900 in real or personal property used as residence
2. VEHICLE: Up to $4,450 in one motor vehicle
3. HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Up to $14,875 total ($700 per item)
4. JEWELRY: Up to $1,875
5. TOOLS OF TRADE: Up to $2,825
6. WILDCARD: Up to $1,475 plus up to $13,950 of unused homestead exemption

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FILING INSTRUCTIONS

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MISSISSIPPI BANKRUPTCY COURTS:

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 900 Jefferson Avenue
• Oxford, MS 38655
• Phone: (662) 234-3351
• Website: http://www.msnd.uscourts.gov

Aberdeen Division:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 215 West Commerce Street
• Aberdeen, MS 39730

Greenville Division:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 120 South Washington Avenue
• Greenville, MS 38701

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 1512 22nd Avenue
• Gulfport, MS 39501
• Phone: (228) 863-4450
• Website: http://www.mssd.uscourts.gov

Jackson Division:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 501 East Court Street
• Jackson, MS 39201

FILING FEES:

• Chapter 7 Filing Fee: $338.00
• Credit Counseling Course: ~$15-50
• Debtor Education Course: ~$15-50

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Voluntary Petition (Official Form 101)
2. Schedules A/B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J
3. Summary of Schedules (Official Form 106Sum)
4. Declaration (Official Form 106Dec)
5. Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107)
6. Chapter 7 Means Test Forms (122A-1, 122A-1Supp, 122A-2 if applicable)
7. Credit Counseling Certificate
8. Pay stubs for 60 days prior to filing
9. Tax returns for most recent year

CREDIT COUNSELING REQUIREMENT:

You must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days

BEFORE filing. Approved providers include:

• Debtorcc.org
• Access Counseling
• Money in Motion

DEBTOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

You must complete a debtor education course AFTER filing but BEFORE

receiving your discharge.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

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This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not

constitute legal advice. Bankruptcy law is complex and the consequences of

filing are significant. You should consult with a licensed attorney before

filing for bankruptcy.

Mississippi exemption amounts are subject to change. Verify current exemption

amounts with the Mississippi Code or a qualified attorney.

This template does not replace the need to complete all required Official

Bankruptcy Forms, which are available at www.uscourts.gov/forms.