[DISCLAIMER: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this template does not create an attorney–client relationship. Practitioners must verify all information, adapt all bracketed placeholders, and ensure compliance with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.), the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia, and any standing orders of the assigned judge or Chapter 7 trustee before filing.]

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

In re:
    [DEBTOR LEGAL NAME]
    [Last 4 digits of SSN: _xxx-xx-_]
    [Joint Debtor Legal Name, if any]
    [Last 4 digits of SSN: _xxx-xx-___]
Debtor(s).

Case No.: _______
Chapter 7

VOLUNTARY PETITION (CHAPTER 7)
(ATTORNEY DRAFTING VERSION – OFFICIAL FORM 101/201 INTEGRATED)

[// GUIDANCE: This template mirrors the structure of Official Forms 101 (individual) and 201 (non-individual) together with all required schedules, statements, and local DC requirements. Replace each bracketed field, remove inapplicable sections, and attach the completed official PDF forms generated by the Court’s filing system or approved petition-preparation software. This draft serves as a master checklist and narrative compilation for attorney review.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Petition Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties (Declarations)
V. Covenants & Post-Petition Duties
VI. Default & Remedies (Non-Compliance Consequences)
VII. Risk Allocation & Discharge Parameters
VIII. Dispute Resolution Framework
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block & Verification
Appendices
– Exhibit A: Schedule Checklist
– Exhibit B: DC Exemption Schedule (Sample)
– Exhibit C: Creditor Matrix Format Guide

I. DOCUMENT HEADER
1. Title; Parties; Jurisdiction.
1.1 Title. Voluntary Petition for Relief Under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Petition”).
1.2 Parties. [DEBTOR NAME] (the “Debtor”) and, if applicable, [JOINT DEBTOR NAME] (the “Joint Debtor,” and together with Debtor, “Debtors”).
1.3 Jurisdiction & Venue. Filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334 & 1408 and 11 U.S.C. § 301.
1.4 Effective Filing Date. Upon electronic docketing by the Clerk (the “Petition Date”).

2. Recitals.
   A. Debtor is eligible to be a debtor under 11 U.S.C. § 109.
   B. Debtor desires to liquidate under Chapter 7 and obtain a discharge of eligible debts.
   C. Debtor has completed all pre-petition requirements, including the credit-counseling briefing mandated by 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).

II. DEFINITIONS
“Bankruptcy Code” – Title 11 of the United States Code.
“Bankruptcy Court” – The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia.
“Petition Package” – This Petition and all Schedules, Statements, and Local Forms required by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007 and Local Rule 1007-1.
“Trustee” – The Chapter 7 trustee appointed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 701.
[Add any additional defined terms used throughout the document.]

III. OPERATIVE PETITION PROVISIONS
3. Petition for Relief. Debtor hereby petitions for relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, electing liquidation.
4. Exhibits & Schedules Incorporated. The following are hereby incorporated by reference and filed contemporaneously, each fully executed and completed:
a. Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Form 106Sum or 206Sum).
b. Schedules A/B through J (Forms 106A/B-106J or 206A/B-206H).
c. Declaration About Debtor’s Schedules (Form 106Dec or 202).
d. Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107 or 207).
e. Statement of Intention (Individual only – Form 108).
f. Means Test (Individual – Form 122A-1 & 122A-2, if required).
g. Creditor Matrix complying with LCvR 1007-2.
h. DC-specific Exemption Schedule (see Exhibit B).
i. Certificate of Credit Counseling (Form pursuant to § 109(h)).
j. Local Forms 4 & 5 (Verification of Matrix; Declaration Re: Electronic Filing).
[// GUIDANCE: Remove any schedule not required for non-individual debtors.]

5. Filing Fee. Debtor will (check one):
   ☐ Pay in full upon filing; or ☐ File an Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments (Form 103A) / Waiver (Form 103B).

6. Exemption Election. Debtor elects:
   ☐ Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522(d); or
   ☐ District of Columbia exemptions under D.C. Code §§ 15-501 et seq.
   [// GUIDANCE: Debtor must take one system in its entirety; confirm maximization of exempt value.]

7. Prior Bankruptcy Cases. List all cases filed within 8 years.
   [PLACEHOLDER TABLE]

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES (DECLARATIONS)
8. Accuracy of Information. Debtor declares under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the Petition Package is true and correct.
9. Eligibility. Debtor has not within 180 days been a debtor in a dismissed case due to willful failure to appear or comply with court orders (11 U.S.C. § 109(g)).
10. Credit Counseling. Debtor received an approved briefing within 180 days prior to filing OR qualifies for a statutory exemption.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
11. Cooperation with Trustee. Debtor shall:
a. Produce financial records pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(3);
b. Appear at the § 341 Meeting of Creditors;
c. Surrender non-exempt assets as directed.
12. Post-Petition Financial Reporting. Debtor shall promptly amend schedules for newly acquired property or changes in financial condition until the case closes.
13. Domestic Support Obligations. If applicable, Debtor shall remain current on ongoing DSO payments and provide trustee with recipient information.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
14. Failure to Comply. Non-compliance with § 521 obligations may result in automatic dismissal without discharge (11 U.S.C. § 521(i)) or denial of discharge under § 727(a)(3)-(6).
15. Revocation of Discharge. Any intentional misrepresentation may subject Debtor to an action to revoke discharge under § 727(d) and potential criminal liability under 18 U.S.C. § 152.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION & DISCHARGE PARAMETERS
16. Scope of Discharge. Upon entry of discharge order, personal liability for pre-petition debts is discharged except as provided in 11 U.S.C. § 523.
17. Automatic Stay. Under § 362, all collection actions are stayed as of the Petition Date, subject to secured creditors’ rights to seek relief from stay.
18. Liability Caps. Discharge functions as the primary limitation of liability for qualifying debts; non-dischargeable debts remain enforceable.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
19. Governing Law. Federal Bankruptcy Code and Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure govern.
20. Forum Selection. Exclusive jurisdiction lies in the Bankruptcy Court.
21. Arbitration. Not applicable; core bankruptcy matters cannot be compelled to arbitration absent court order.
22. Jury Waiver. Limited jury availability in bankruptcy proceedings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1411.
23. Injunctive Relief. Automatic stay constitutes statutory injunctive relief.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS
24. Amendments. Debtor may amend schedules as of right before the case is closed; notice to Trustee and affected parties required per Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1009.
25. Severability. If any provision herein conflicts with the Bankruptcy Code, the Code shall govern and the offending provision shall be severed.
26. Integration. This Petition Package, together with all referenced forms and exhibits, constitutes the entire filing submission.
27. Electronic Signatures. Signatures captured electronically are deemed original for all purposes pursuant to Local Rule 5005-1.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK & VERIFICATION
I declare under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this Petition Package is true and correct.

Date: __

Debtor Signature: ____
Printed Name: _________

Joint Debtor Signature (if any): ___
Printed Name: ____

Attorney for Debtor: ____
DC Bar No.: __
Firm: [LAW FIRM NAME]
Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
Telephone: () -
Email: ______

[Notary block only if local practice or paper filing requires.]

APPENDIX – EXHIBIT A
Schedule & Form Checklist (DC Chapter 7)
1. Voluntary Petition (Form 101/201)
2. Statement About Social Security Numbers (Form 121)
3. Creditor Matrix (text-file format per LCvR 1007-2)
4. Summary of Assets & Liabilities (106Sum/206Sum)
5. Schedules A/B–J or 206 series
6. Declaration About Debtor’s Schedules (106Dec/202)
7. Statement of Financial Affairs (107/207)
8. Statement of Intention (108) – individuals only
9. Means Test (122A-1/2) – individuals only
10. Certificate of Credit Counseling
11. Payment Advices Cover Sheet (local form, if pay stubs not attached)
12. Verification of Creditor Matrix (Local Form 4)
13. Declaration Re: Electronic Filing (Local Form 5)
14. Filing Fee Payment Form 103A/103B (if applicable)

APPENDIX – EXHIBIT B
District of Columbia Exemption Schedule (Sample Table)
[// GUIDANCE: Practitioner must verify current exemption amounts.]

APPENDIX – EXHIBIT C
Creditor Matrix Format Guide
1. One creditor per line, no punctuation except commas in city/state separation.
2. All caps, left-justified, no special characters.
3. Max 40 characters per line, max 5 lines per address.

[// GUIDANCE: After finalizing, generate the official petition and schedules using approved software (e.g., Best Case, CINcompass) to ensure bar-coded accuracy, then electronically file through CM/ECF. Retain wet-ink signatures per Local Rule 5005-1 for three years.]