TEMPLATE – CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PETITION PACKAGE
Jurisdiction: United States Bankruptcy Court – District of Massachusetts
Governing Law: United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. (“Bankruptcy Code”)
[// GUIDANCE: This master template organizes every required Official Form, schedule, statement, and local-rule certification into one cohesive, court-ready package. It is intentionally formatted so counsel may (i) copy-paste individual forms into the CM/ECF e-filing system or (ii) convert the entire document to a fillable PDF set. All bracketed items must be customized before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions (Voluntary Petition)
- Schedules A/B–J & Summary of Assets/Liabilities
- Statement of Financial Affairs (SOFA)
- Means Test Forms (122A-1 & 122A-2)
- Massachusetts Exemption Schedule (Schedule C)
- Representations & Warranties (Declarations)
- Covenants & Debtor Duties
- Default & Remedies (Dismissal/Denial of Discharge)
- Risk Allocation (Automatic Stay & Discharge)
- Dispute Resolution & Jurisdiction
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
- Exhibits & Local Forms Checklist
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
Title:
VOLUNTARY PETITION FOR CHAPTER 7 RELIEF
[Debtor Full Legal Name] (the “Debtor”)
[Joint Debtor Full Legal Name] (if applicable, the “Joint Debtor”)
Recitals:
A. Debtor, residing or having its principal place of business at [ADDRESS], desires to commence a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
B. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1408.
C. Debtor elects to proceed under the federal exemptions/state exemptions (select one) available in Massachusetts.
Effective Date: Upon electronic filing with the Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Petition Package:
“Bankruptcy Court” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts.
“Bankruptcy Rules” means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the District of Massachusetts.
“Petition Date” means the date this Voluntary Petition is filed.
“Trustee” means the Chapter 7 trustee appointed under 11 U.S.C. § 701.
“Automatic Stay” has the meaning set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 362.
“Discharge” has the meaning set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 727.
[// GUIDANCE: Keep definitions alphabetized; reference them consistently throughout.]
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS (VOLUNTARY PETITION)
(Modeled on Official Form 101 for individuals or Form 201 for non-individuals. Remove inapplicable fields.)
3.1 Debtor Information
a. Name: [FIRST, MIDDLE, LAST / LEGAL ENTITY]
b. All other names used in the last 8 years: [LIST / NONE]
c. Social Security / ITIN (last four digits) or EIN: [###-##-#### / ##-#######]
d. Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP, COUNTY]
e. Type of debtor: ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ Partnership ☐ LLC ☐ Other ______
f. Chapter of Bankruptcy Code: Chapter 7 (Liquidation)
3.2 Attorney Information
Name: [COUNSEL NAME], BBO No. [NUMBER]
Firm: [LAW FIRM], Address, Phone, Email
3.3 Venue Certification
Debtor certifies that (i) domicile, residence, or principal place of business has been in Massachusetts for at least 180 days immediately preceding the Petition Date, or (ii) Debtor’s principal assets are located in this District.
3.4 Prior Bankruptcy Cases (last 8 years)
Case No(s)., District, Filing Date, Disposition: [LIST / NONE]
3.5 Pending Bankruptcy Cases Concerning Debtor’s Affiliates
[LIST / NONE]
3.6 Statistical/Administrative Information
a. Estimated number of creditors: ☐ 1-49 ☐ 50-99 ☐ 100-199 ☐ 200-999 ☐ 1,000 +
b. Estimated assets: ☐ $0-$50k ☐ $50k-$1M ☐ $1M-$10M ☐ $10M +
c. Estimated liabilities: ☐ $0-$50k ☐ $50k-$1M ☐ $1M-$10M ☐ $10M +
3.7 Certification Concerning Credit Counseling
Debtor received credit counseling on [DATE] and attaches the certificate; OR qualifies for a waiver under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h)(3)/(h)(4).
3.8 Signature of Debtor & Counsel
(See Execution Block, § 14.)
4. SCHEDULES A/B–J & SUMMARY OF ASSETS/LIABILITIES
[// GUIDANCE: Use Official Forms 106A/B–106J for individual debtors or 206A/B–206H for non-individuals; remove any inapplicable references.]
4.1 Schedule A/B – Property
• Real Property: [ADDRESS, FAIR MARKET VALUE, SECURED CLAIMS]
• Personal Property: [CASH, BANK ACCOUNTS, VEHICLES, ETC.]
4.2 Schedule C – Property Claimed as Exempt (Massachusetts)
• Statutory Basis: 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A) & applicable Massachusetts exemption statutes.
• Itemization: [HOMESTEAD, MOTOR VEHICLE, TOOLS OF TRADE, ETC.]
4.3 Schedule D – Secured Creditors
4.4 Schedule E/F – Priority & Non-Priority Unsecured Claims
4.5 Schedule G – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases
4.6 Schedule H – Co-Debtors
4.7 Schedule I – Current Income of Individual Debtor(s)
4.8 Schedule J – Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s)
4.9 Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Form 106Sum/206Sum)
5. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS (SOFA) – Official Form 107/207
Provide complete historical disclosures for:
• Gross income (3 years)
• Payments to creditors (> $600 within 90 days)
• Lawsuits, garnishments, seizures
• Repossessions, foreclosures
• Gifts, charitable contributions
• Losses, transfers, insiders, financial accounts closed, etc.
[// GUIDANCE: Omissions or inaccuracies here are the most common basis for denial of discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(4). Double-check all entries.]
6. MEANS TEST FORMS – 122A-1 & 122A-2 (Individuals Only)
6.1 Form 122A-1 (Statement of Current Monthly Income)
6.2 Form 122A-2 (Means Test Calculation)
[// GUIDANCE: For median income thresholds, consult the most recent DOJ/USTP tables for Massachusetts effective on the Petition Date.]
7. MASSACHUSETTS EXEMPTION SCHEDULE (Schedule C Supplement)
Debtor elects:
☐ Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)
☐ Massachusetts exemptions under M.G.L. ch. 235 § 34 et seq. & ch. 188 (homestead)
[PLACEHOLDER TABLE – customize values]
| Asset Description | Statutory Basis | Exemption Limit | Claimed Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Residence | Mass. Homestead | $500,000 | $[ ] |
| Motor Vehicle | M.G.L. ch. 235 § 34(2) | $7,500 | $[ ] |
| … | … | … | … |
8. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES (DECLARATIONS)
8.1 Accuracy of Petition Package
Debtor declares under penalty of perjury that the information provided herein is true, correct, and complete.
8.2 Eligibility
Debtor is eligible for relief under Chapter 7 pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 109.
8.3 Previous Discharge
Debtor has not received a Chapter 7 discharge within 8 years preceding the Petition Date (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8)).
8.4 No Abuse
Filing of this case is not in bad faith and does not constitute an abuse of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 707(b)).
Survival: The representations in §§ 8.1-8.4 survive the closing of this case or conversion to another chapter.
9. COVENANTS & DEBTOR DUTIES
Debtor shall:
a. Cooperate with the Trustee, including appearing at the § 341(a) meeting of creditors.
b. Surrender to the Trustee any non-exempt estate property on demand.
c. Provide tax returns, pay advices, and other financial documents as required by the Bankruptcy Rules and Trustee guidelines.
d. Inform the Court of any change in address within 14 days.
10. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
10.1 Events of Default
a. Failure to appear at § 341(a) meeting without excuse.
b. Failure to file required documents or pay filing fee installments.
c. Knowing or fraudulent misstatement in this Petition Package.
10.2 Remedies
Upon default, the Bankruptcy Court may dismiss the case, deny discharge, or impose other sanctions under 11 U.S.C. §§ 105, 707, 727.
10.3 Cure
Debtor may cure a clerical or document-filing default within 14 days of notice from the Clerk or Trustee, unless otherwise ordered.
11. RISK ALLOCATION
11.1 Automatic Stay
Effective on the Petition Date, the Automatic Stay pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362 enjoins creditor collection activity.
11.2 Discharge & Liability Cap
Upon entry of a discharge order, Debtor’s personal liability for pre-petition dischargeable debts is permanently enjoined (11 U.S.C. § 524).
11.3 Non-Dischargeable Debts
Debtor acknowledges that certain debts (e.g., most taxes, domestic support, student loans, fraud-based claims) may remain enforceable.
12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & JURISDICTION
12.1 Governing Law
This case is governed by the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules, and the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the District of Massachusetts.
12.2 Exclusive Forum
All disputes arising under or relating to this Petition Package shall be resolved exclusively by the Bankruptcy Court, subject to appellate review under 28 U.S.C. §§ 158, 1291.
12.3 Arbitration / Jury Trial
Arbitration is not available. Jury trial rights, if any, are subject to the limited availability and consent provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 157(e).
13. GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Amendments
Debtor may amend schedules and statements in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 1009(a) by filing a signed amendment and serving affected parties.
13.2 Severability
If any provision of this Petition Package is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.
13.3 Integration
This Petition Package, together with all Official Forms and attached exhibits, constitutes the entire submission required for commencing this Chapter 7 case.
13.4 Electronic Signatures
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (“CM/ECF”) procedures, facsimile or typed “/s/ [NAME]” signatures are deemed originals for all purposes.
14. EXECUTION BLOCK
I declare under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this Petition Package is true and correct.
Date: ______
Debtor: _____ [PRINT NAME]
Signature: _________
Joint Debtor (if any): _____
Signature: _________
Counsel for Debtor: _____
Signature: /s/ [ATTORNEY NAME], BBO No. [NUMBER]
[Notary Block – use only if local rule or specific form requires traditional notarization.]
15. EXHIBITS & LOCAL FORMS CHECKLIST
☐ Certificate of Credit Counseling (11 U.S.C. § 109(h))
☐ Statement of Social Security Number (Official Form 121 – file non-publicly)
☐ Creditor Mailing Matrix – formatted per MLBR requirements
☐ Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income (122A-1)
☐ Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation (122A-2) – if applicable
☐ Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Local Form, if attorney-filed)
☐ Pay Stubs/Income Records for 60 days pre-petition or Statement of No Income
☐ Filing Fee Installment Application / Fee Waiver (if applicable)
[// GUIDANCE: Review the District’s “Checklist for Chapter 7 Filings” issued by the Clerk. File any missing item within 14 days to avoid dismissal (Bankr. Rule 1007(c)).]
[// GUIDANCE:
1. VERIFY ALL FIGURES – Incorrect exemptions or means-test numbers are common pitfalls.
2. DOUBLE-CHECK PREVIOUS FILINGS – An undisclosed prior case can bar the automatic stay.
3. CLIENT INTERVIEW – Conduct a last-minute asset/liability sweep to capture recent changes.
4. LOCAL PRACTICE – Some Massachusetts trustees require tax returns 7 days pre-341 meeting.
5. CM/ECF – Load each Official Form as a separate PDF for best docket clarity.]
Disclaimer: This template provides general legal information and is intended for use by qualified attorneys. It does not create an attorney–client relationship with OpenAI or the template’s author. Practitioners must adapt all provisions to the facts of each case and confirm compliance with current federal, state, and local rules before filing.