Bankruptcy Petition - Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 VOLUNTARY PETITION PACKAGE

United States Bankruptcy Court – [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Core Petition Forms & Schedules
4. Chapter 13 Plan (Official Form 113 – FL Local Version)
5. Representations, Certifications & Declarations
6. Default & Remedies (Post-Confirmation)
7. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
8. General Provisions
9. Execution Blocks & Notarial Certificates
10. Exhibits & Addenda (Local Rules/Trustee Guidelines)

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

Title:
VOLUNTARY PETITION FOR INDIVIDUALS FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY UNDER CHAPTER 13

Debtor(s):
• Debtor 1: [LEGAL NAME]  SSN: [-*-____]
• Debtor 2 (if joint): [LEGAL NAME]  SSN: [-*-____]

Counsel:
[LAW FIRM NAME] – Florida Bar No. [___]
Address: [___] Phone: [___] Email: [___]

Effective Filing Date: [DATE]
Jurisdiction/Venue: United States Bankruptcy Court, [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA] (28 U.S.C. §§ 1408-1409)
Governing Law: Title 11, United States Code (“Bankruptcy Code”) and Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (“FRBP”)
Automatic Stay: 11 U.S.C. § 362 (invoked upon filing)

2. DEFINITIONS

The following capitalized terms are used consistently throughout this Petition Package:

1. “Bankruptcy Code” – Title 11, U.S. Code.
2. “Court” – The United States Bankruptcy Court for the [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA].
3. “Debtor” – The individual(s) commencing this Chapter 13 case.
4. “Petition Date” – The date the Voluntary Petition is filed with the Clerk.
5. “Plan” – The Chapter 13 Plan submitted under 11 U.S.C. §§ 1321-1322 and Official Form 113, as modified by Local Rule.
6. “Trustee” – The duly appointed Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for this district.
7. “Local Rules” – The Local Rules of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA], as amended.
8. “Trustee Guidelines” – Published case-administration guidelines of the Chapter 13 Trustee applicable to this district.
9. “Automatic Stay” – The injunction described in 11 U.S.C. § 362.
10. “Confirmation Order” – The Order of the Court confirming the Plan under 11 U.S.C. § 1325.

3. CORE PETITION FORMS & SCHEDULES

A. Official Form 101 – Voluntary Petition
  • Filing Fee $313; choose “Paid in Full,” “Installments,” or “Waiver Requested.”
  • Nature of Debts: “Primarily Consumer.”
  • Chapter Selected: “13.”
  • Statistical/Administrative Information: [COMPLETE PER FORM].

B. Official Form 121 – Statement About Social Security Numbers
  • [INSERT FULL SSN ON COURT-SEALED VERSION.]

C. Creditor Matrix Verification
  • [PLACEHOLDER for list upload].
  • Verification Declaration included.

D. Schedules (Official Forms 106 A/B–J)

1. A/B – Property
  2. C – Claim of Exemptions (apply Florida Statutes §§ 222.01-.25 & Fla. Const. art. X, § 4)
  3. D – Secured Claims
  4. E/F – Unsecured Priority/Non-Priority Claims
  5. G – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases
  6. H – Codebtors
  7. I – Current Income
  8. J – Current Expenditures

E. Statement of Financial Affairs – Official Form 107
F. Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income & Calculation of Commitment Period/Form 122C-1
G. Means Test Calculation/Form 122C-2 (if required)
H. Certificate of Credit Counseling (11 U.S.C. § 109(h))
I. Disclosure of Attorney Compensation – Form 2030
J. Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (if applicable)
K. Verification of Creditor List

4. CHAPTER 13 PLAN – OFFICIAL FORM 113 (ADAPTED FOR FLORIDA)

A. Plan §1 – Notices
  • Address any nonstandard provisions in §8.
  • Flag any request to value collateral (§3.2) or avoid liens (§3.4).

B. Plan §2 – Plan Payments and Length
  • Payment Amount: $[___] per [month/bi-weekly] for [___] months; total $[___].
  • Wage Deduction Order? [Y/N]
  • Additional Lump-Sum Payments: [DETAIL / “None”].
  • Liquidation Value Test compliance affirmed (11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(4)).

C. Plan §3 – Treatment of Secured Claims

1. §3.1 – Mortgage Payments (conduit vs. direct pay per Local Rule ☐).
  2. §3.2 – Request to Determine Secured Status (cram-down) – [DETAIL].
  3. §3.3 – Pre-petition arrearage cure – [CREDITOR NAME / AMOUNT].
  4. §3.4 – Lien Avoidance – cite 11 U.S.C. § 522(f).

D. Plan §4 – Priority Claims (e.g., taxes, domestic support).
E. Plan §5 – Non-Priority Unsecured Claims – Estimated Dividend [___] %.
F. Plan §6 – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases – assume/reject schedule.
G. Plan §7 – Vesting of Property of the Estate – [“Upon Confirmation” OR “Upon Discharge”].
H. Plan §8 – Non-Standard Provisions
  • [INSERT ONLY IF NECESSARY – must be specifically highlighted].

I. Signatures – Debtor(s) & Debtor’s Attorney.

5. REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS & DECLARATIONS

1. Petition Certification – Debtor declares under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. § 1746) that information is true and correct.
2. Credit Counseling Certification – Debtor received counseling within 180 days pre-petition (11 U.S.C. § 109(h)).
3. Attorney Certification – Counsel has no knowledge indicating the petition is inaccurate and has informed Debtor of duties (FRBP 1007, 11 U.S.C. § 527).
4. Payment Advices Declaration – Debtor has provided copies of the last 60 days’ pay advices to the Trustee or declares no such documentation exists.
5. Domestic Support Obligation (DSO) Declaration – Debtor [does/does not] owe DSO; if owed, payee and address listed.
6. Tax Return Submission – Debtor shall provide the most recent federal tax return to the Trustee no later than 7 days before §341 Meeting (11 U.S.C. § 521(e)(2)).
7. Electronic Filing Declaration (if filed via CM/ECF).

6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES (POST-CONFIRMATION)

A. Event of Default

1. Failure to make any Plan payment within 30 days of due date.
  2. Failure to provide annual tax returns or refunds as required.
  3. Failure to maintain insurance on secured collateral.

B. Notice & Cure
  • Trustee or affected creditor shall serve written Notice of Default with 14-day cure period (Local Rule ☐).

C. Remedies
  • Upon unresolved default, Trustee or creditor may file Motion to Dismiss or Motion for Relief from Stay.
  • Creditor rights preserved per 11 U.S.C. §§ 362(d), 1307(c).

7. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & GOVERNING LAW

1. Governing Law – Bankruptcy Code, FRBP, and Local Rules of the [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA].
2. Forum – U.S. Bankruptcy Court, [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA]; exclusive jurisdiction retained post-confirmation for Plan modification or discharge issues (28 U.S.C. § 1334).
3. Arbitration – Not applicable; matters are core proceedings (28 U.S.C. § 157(b)).
4. Jury Trial – Limited; any jury demand subject to Court approval in accordance with applicable law.
5. Injunctive Relief – Automatic Stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 remains in effect unless modified.

8. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Amendments – Debtor may amend schedules or Plan in compliance with FRBP 1009 & 3015.
2. Waiver – No waiver of protections under the Bankruptcy Code unless expressly stated in writing and approved by the Court.
3. Severability – If any provision is unenforceable, remaining provisions remain effective.
4. Integration – This Petition Package, together with officially filed forms and any Court-approved amendments, constitutes the entire Chapter 13 filing.
5. Electronic Signatures – Permitted under Administrative Orders of the [DISTRICT OF FLORIDA] and CM/ECF procedures.
6. Successors – Plan provisions bind the Debtor, Trustee, and all creditors upon confirmation.

9. EXECUTION BLOCKS

A. Debtor(s):

_____________________________________________        Date: __________________
[DEBTOR 1 NAME], Debtor

_____________________________________________        Date: __________________
[DEBTOR 2 NAME], Joint Debtor (if any)

B. Debtor’s Attorney:

_____________________________________________        Date: __________________
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
Florida Bar No. [___]

C. Verification of Creditor Matrix (Sample):

I, [Debtor Name], declare that the attached list of creditors is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge.

_____________________________________________        Date: __________________
[DEBTOR SIGNATURE]

D. Notarial Acknowledgment (if required for local forms):

State of Florida           )
County of ☐        )  SS.

Subscribed and sworn before me on this ____ day of __________, 20__, by _____________________, who is personally known to me or produced ___________________ as identification.

________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Florida
Commission No.: _________________

10. EXHIBITS & ADDENDA

A. Exhibit A – District-Specific Chapter 13 Plan (clean form).
B. Exhibit B – Standing Trustee’s “Checklist of Documents Required Prior to §341 Meeting.”
C. Exhibit C – Local Rule Excerpts:
  • LBR 1007-1 (Document Filing Deadlines)
  • LBR 3015-1 (Plan Requirements & Confirmation Process)
  • LBR 3070-1 (Trustee Payments)
D. Exhibit D – Sample Wage Deduction Order.
E. Exhibit E – Debtor’s Certification Regarding DSO (Post-Petition).

END OF TEMPLATE

This template is intended for use by licensed attorneys. It integrates federal statutory requirements (e.g., 11 U.S.C. §§ 109, 521, 1322, 1325), the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and Florida-specific Local Rules and Trustee procedures. Practitioners must update all placeholders, verify citation accuracy, and conform to any subsequent amendments before filing.