IMPORTANT PRACTICE NOTE
A Chapter 7 case may ONLY be commenced in the United States Bankruptcy Court by filing the Official Bankruptcy Forms promulgated under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9009. The template below is a lawyer–oriented WORKSHEET PACKAGE that mirrors every required federal form, integrates Montana-specific exemptions and local procedural rules, and supplies practical drafting prompts. Completed worksheets are intended to be transcribed verbatim into the current Official Forms for filing. Do NOT file this worksheet itself.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition – Montana

Professionally-Drafted Worksheet & Preparation Package
(For Individual Debtors — Non-Business Case)

[// GUIDANCE: Delete any bracketed text before finalizing. All monetary fields are USD unless otherwise noted.]

Table of Contents

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Core Petition Worksheet (Official Form 101)
4. Schedules Summary Sheet
5. Schedule A/B – Property
6. Schedule C – MT Exemptions
7. Schedule D – Secured Claims
8. Schedule E/F – Priority & Unsecured Claims
9. Schedule G – Executory Contracts & Leases
10. Schedule H – Codebtors
11. Schedule I – Income
12. Schedule J – Expenses
13. Statement of Financial Affairs (SOFA) – Form 107
14. Statement of Intention – Form 108
15. Verification & Declaration
16. Creditor Matrix & List of 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors
17. Means Test Calculation – Form 122A-1/2
18. Local Rule Certifications & Trustee Guidelines (MT)
19. General Provisions & Disclosures
20. Execution Block

1. Document Header

Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy under Chapter 7
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana
Case No.: [To be assigned by Court]
Date Filed: [____]

Debtor 1: [FIRST MIDDLE LAST | SSN XXX-XX-_]
Debtor 2 (Spouse, if filing): [FIRST MIDDLE LAST | SSN XXX-XX-]
All Other Names used in last 8 years: [_]
Address: [STREET, CITY, MT ZIP]
County of Residence: []
Mailing Address (if different): [____]

Attorney for Debtor(s): [LAW FIRM NAME, BAR #]
Address / Phone / Email: [____]

Jurisdiction: 28 U.S.C. § 1334(b); automatic reference to Bankruptcy Court (D. Mont. L.R. 3.1).
Governing Law: Title 11, U.S. Code; Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure; Local Rules, District of Montana.

2. Definitions

“Bankruptcy Code” – Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.
“Automatic Stay” – Injunction arising upon filing under 11 U.S.C. § 362.
“Exempt Property” – Property claimed exempt under 11 U.S.C. § 522 and Mont. Code Ann. §§ 25-13-601–26-13-616.
“Means Test” – The current monthly income test under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b).
“Trustee” – The interim Chapter 7 trustee appointed under 11 U.S.C. § 701.
[Add additional terms as needed.]

3. Core Petition Worksheet (mirrors Official Form 101)

A. Filing Status
1. ☐ Individual ☐ Joint Debtor (Spouses)
B. Chapter Selection: ☑ Chapter 7 (Liquidation)
C. Prior Bankruptcy Cases filed in past 8 years: [Case #, District, Date]
D. Pending Bankruptcy Cases concerning affiliates: [☐ None | Details]
E. Statistical/Administrative Information
• Estimated # of Creditors: [<50 / 50-99 / 100-199 / 200-999 / 1,000-over]
• Estimated Assets: [☐ $0-$50k | ☐ $50k-$100k | …]
• Estimated Liabilities: [same ranges]
F. Nature of Debts: ☑ Consumer ☐ Business
G. Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income attached? ☑ Yes
H. Exhibit D (credit-counseling certificate) attached? ☑ Yes
I. Venue Certification – Debtor has resided, domicile, or principal assets in Montana for 180 days immediately preceding the filing or for a longer portion than any other district. See 28 U.S.C. § 1408.

[// GUIDANCE: Cross-check each checkbox with the final PDF generated by your filing software.]

4. Schedules Summary Sheet (Official Form 106 Summary)

Total Assets (from Sched. A/B) ………………… $[_]
Total Liabilities (from Scheds. D + E/F) …… $[_]
Total Exemptions Claimed (Sched. C) ………… $[____]
[Software will compute automatic categories—ensure consistency.]

5. Schedule A/B – Property

List all interests in real and personal property.

A. Real Property
1. Residence: [Legal Description per deed] … FMV $[_] … Secured Lien $[_]

B. Personal Property (attach additional sheets if needed)
1. Cash on hand ................................................... $[_]
2. Checking/Savings/Deposits ............................ $[]
3. Household goods ............................................ $[_]
4. Vehicles (Year/Make/Model/VIN) .................. $[]
5. Retirement or pension accounts .................. $[_]
6. Tax refunds owed .......................................... $[_]
7. Other causes of action .................................. $[____]

[// GUIDANCE: Provide “as-is” liquidation values; do NOT reduce by liens or exemptions here.]

6. Schedule C – MT Exemptions

Elect State exemptions (Montana opts out of federal set, see 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)).

Example entries:
• Homestead – up to $378,560 equity, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-32-104
• Motor Vehicle – $4,000 equity per debtor, § 25-13-615(1)(e)
• Wearing Apparel – $600 total, § 25-13-614(1)(b)
• Tools of Trade – $3,000, § 25-13-608(1)
• Pension/Retirement – Generally fully exempt under § 31-2-106

[// GUIDANCE: Confirm current dollar limits each July 1; update with Montana Supreme Court inflation adjustments.]

7. Schedule D – Secured Claims

8. Schedule E/F – Priority & Unsecured Claims

A. Priority (§ 507) – e.g., Domestic Support $[_]; Taxes $[_]
B. Non-Priority Unsecured – Credit Cards, Medical, Deficiency balances, etc.

9. Schedule G – Executory Contracts & Leases

10. Schedule H – Codebtors

11. Schedule I – Income

Debtor 1 Employment: [Employer, Address, Occupation]
Monthly Gross Wages: $[_]
Payroll Deductions: Taxes $[] | Insurance $[_] | 401(k) $[]
Net Income: $[____]

Debtor 2 (if any): [Same fields]

Other Income: Child Support $[_] | Social Security $[_] | Rental $[____]

Total Combined Monthly Income: $[____]

12. Schedule J – Expenses

Rent/Mortgage $[_]
Utilities $[]
Food & Housekeeping $[_]
Transportation $[]
Insurance (non-payroll) $[_]
Childcare $[]
Taxes (not deducted) $[_]
Total Monthly Expenses: $[]

Net Monthly Income (Sched. I minus J): $[____]

[// GUIDANCE: Negative or minimal positive values support §707(b)(3) good-faith factors.]

13. Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107)

Part 1 Income (last 3 years): 2023 $[_]; 2022 $[]; 2021 $[_]
Part 2 Non-business revenue (gifts, gambling, etc.): []
Part 3 Payments to Creditors >$600 in last 90 days: [_]
Part 4 Suits & Administrative Proceedings: [Case #, Court, Status]
Part 5 Repossessions/Foreclosures/Returns: []
Part 6 Assignments for Benefit of Creditors: [_]
Part 7 Gifts/Charitable Contributions >$600 in 2 years: []
Part 8 Losses (fire, theft, gambling) in last year: [_]
Part 9 Payments to Insiders: []
Part 10 Transfers within 2 years: [_]
Part 11 Closed bank or financial accounts: []
Part 12 Safe-deposit boxes: [_]
Part 13 Setoffs: []
Part 14 Environmental Information (if real property): [_]
Part 15 Business-related Questions (if applicable): []
Part 16 Prior addresses (3 years): [_]
Part 17 Spouses/Former spouses within 8 years: [_]

14. Statement of Intention (Official Form 108)

15. Verification & Declaration

Under penalty of perjury, I declare the foregoing is true and correct.

Debtor 1 Signature: ___ Date: _
Debtor 2 Signature: ___ Date: _

16. Creditor Matrix & 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors

[Attach plain-text mailing matrix per Local Rule 1007-2. Provide separate PDF for top 20 if debt >$100k.]

17. Means Test Calculation – Forms 122A-1 & 122A-2

Median Income for Montana (family of [size]) = $[_] (U.S. Trustee data as of [date])
Current Monthly Income (average prior 6 months) = $[_]
Disposable Income (after IRS/National Standards) = $[____]
☑ Presumption of abuse does not arise / ☐ abuse presumption – attach Part 3 explanation.

18. Local Rule Certifications & Trustee Guidelines

A. Certificate of Completion of Credit Counseling – 11 U.S.C. § 109(h)
B. Pay Advices Cover Sheet – LBR 1007-6
C. Domestic Support Obligation Worksheet (if applicable)
D. Tax Return Transmittal to Trustee (provide at least 7 days pre-§341 meeting)
E. Photo ID & Proof of SSN to be presented at §341 meeting (LBR 4002-1)

[// GUIDANCE: Trustee for Missoula, Butte, Great Falls, Billings divisions may issue additional questionnaires; attach as Exhibit “MT-T.”]

19. General Provisions & Disclosures

1. Automatic Stay. Filing this petition operates as a stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a) against most collection activity. Certain exceptions apply (e.g., § 362(b)(2) domestic support).
2. Discharge Eligibility. Debtor must complete post-petition financial-management course (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(11)) and file Official Form 423.
3. Reaffirmation Disclosures. Any reaffirmation agreement must comply with 11 U.S.C. §§ 524(c)–(k) and be filed within 60 days after the first §341 meeting.
4. Redemption. Debtor may redeem tangible personal property intended for personal/household use pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 722.
5. Means-Test Safe-Harbor. If current monthly income is below Montana median, §707(b) presumption is inapplicable.
6. Jurisdiction & Venue. This court has exclusive jurisdiction over core proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2).
7. Dispute Resolution. Contested matters are resolved per Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9014 and local rules; no arbitration permitted. Limited jury trials available only on court order.

20. Execution Block

Prepared By:

[Attorney Name], Esq. (MT Bar #_)
[Law Firm]
[Address]
[Telephone]
Email: [_]

Debtor Acknowledgement:
I have reviewed this entire worksheet and the transcribed Official Forms and they are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Debtor 1: ______ Date: __
Debtor 2: _____ Date: _____

Notary (if required for verification under local practice):
State of Montana, County of __
Subscribed and sworn before me on _, 20_.

Notary Public for the State of Montana
My commission expires: ______

Filing Checklist (attach to inside cover)

1. ☐ Form 101 Voluntary Petition
2. ☐ Schedules A/B–J & Summary
3. ☐ Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Form 106Dec)
4. ☐ Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)
5. ☐ Statement of Intention (Form 108)
6. ☐ Chapter 7 Means Test Forms 122A-1/2
7. ☐ Certificate of Credit Counseling
8. ☐ Pay Stubs/Income Records (last 60 days)
9. ☐ Filing Fee $338 or Application to Pay in Installments/Form 103A
10. ☐ Creditor Mailing Matrix
11. ☐ Notice to Individual Debtor with Primarily Consumer Debts (Form 2010)
12. ☐ Verification of Social Security Number (Form 121)

[// GUIDANCE: Always run the court’s current ECF filing event list; some divisions require the petition package uploaded as a single PDF with bookmarks.]

END OF WORKSHEET PACKAGE