CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PETITION

Comprehensive Drafting Template – North Carolina Districts

(Eastern, Middle, or Western District; select as appropriate)

[// GUIDANCE:
1. This template synthesizes the Official Bankruptcy Forms into a single, consolidated working draft so counsel can prepare a complete Chapter 7 filing packet for North Carolina debtors.
2. Federal law mandates use of the Official Forms; this template adds strategic guidance, placeholders, and North-Carolina-specific notes to streamline counsel’s workflow.
3. Double-check local rules (EDNC, MDNC, or WDNC), standing orders, and any district-specific trustee guidelines before finalizing.
4. Bracketed text ➔ replace or delete.
5. Do not file this document as-is. Adapt it to the Official Forms’ formatting requirements prior to filing.
]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Voluntary Petition (Official Form 101 or 201)
IV. Schedules Summary Sheet
V. Individual Schedules A/B–J
VI. Exemption Schedule C – NC-Specific Guidance
VII. Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107)
VIII. Declaration About Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form 106Dec)
IX. Creditor Matrix & Verification
X. Means Test (Official Form 122A-1 & 122A-2)
XI. Certificate of Credit Counseling & Related Certifications
XII. Signature / Verification Block
XIII. Exhibits & Local Forms
XIV. Filing Checklist & Service Matrix

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

United States Bankruptcy Court
[District Name (Eastern/Middle/Western) of North Carolina]
In re: [Full Legal Name(s) of Debtor(s)] Case No.: _-_
[Any d/b/a, f/d/b/a] Chapter 7
SSN / ITIN: *--[Last 4] (Voluntary Petition)

Effective Filing Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Voluntary Petition for Relief under Chapter 7 of Title 11, United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”).

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of internal drafting and cross-reference (not filed with the court):

“Bankruptcy Code” – Title 11, United States Code.
“District” – The United States Bankruptcy Court for the [Eastern/Middle/Western] District of North Carolina.
“Debtor” – The individual(s) seeking relief herein.
“Petition Date” – The date this Petition is filed with the Clerk.
“Trustee” – The Chapter 7 trustee appointed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 701.

III. VOLUNTARY PETITION

(Off. Form 101 – Individuals; Off. Form 201 – Non-Individuals)

A. Part 1 – Personal Information
1. Name(s): [FIRST M. LAST]
2. All prior names used in last 8 years: [LIST / NONE]
3. Address: [STREET, CITY, NC ZIP]
4. County: [COUNTY]

B. Part 2 – Jurisdiction & Prior Bankruptcy
• Chapter elected: 7
• Prior cases within 8 years: [CASE NO(S). / NONE]
• Pending cases with spouse/affiliate: [DETAIL / N/A]

C. Part 3 – Business/Non-Consumer Debt Declaration (if any)

D. Part 4 – Statistical/Administrative Information
• Estimated assets: [RANGE]
• Estimated liabilities: [RANGE]
• Nature of debts: [Consumer / Business]

E. Part 5 – Debtor Certification re Credit Counseling

F. Part 6 – Signature / Attorney Information
• Attorney Firm: [NAME]
• Bar No.: [NC BAR ###]
• Address / Phone / Email
• Signature blocks (Debtor & Counsel)

IV. SCHEDULES SUMMARY SHEET

(Official Form 106Sum)

List each Schedule (A/B–J) with aggregate totals. Placeholder table:

V. INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULES

A. Schedule A/B – Property
• Real Property ➔ [ADDRESS, FMV, Nature of Ownership]
• Personal Property ➔ categories w/ liquidation values.

B. Schedule C – Exempt Property (see Section VI).

C. Schedule D – Secured Creditors
• Creditor, Collateral, Amount Owed, Lien Type.

D. Schedule E/F – Unsecured Priority & Non-Priority Claims
• Tax debts, domestic support, trade debt, credit cards, etc.

E. Schedule G – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases
• [LANDLORD NAME], [LEASE DETAILS], assume/reject status.

F. Schedule H – Codebtors
• [NAME, ADDRESS, CASE NO. if any].

G. Schedule I – Current Income
• Employer, gross/net figures, household contributions.

H. Schedule J – Current Expenditures
• Housing, utilities, food, transport, medical, etc.

VI. EXEMPTION SCHEDULE C — NORTH CAROLINA-SPECIFIC NOTES

[// GUIDANCE: North Carolina has opted out of federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(2); debtors must use state exemptions plus any applicable non-bankruptcy federal exemptions (e.g., Social Security).]

1. Homestead Exemption
   • Up to $[PLACEHOLDER] in equity for principal residence.
   • Placeholder statutory reference: N.C. homestead provision.

2. Motor Vehicle Exemption
   • Equity cap: $[PLACEHOLDER].

3. Wild-Card / Any Property
   • Up to $[PLACEHOLDER] if homestead unused.

4. Tools of Trade, Personal Injury Awards, Retirement Plans, etc.

[// GUIDANCE: Confirm amounts against the latest triennial adjustment published by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts.]

VII. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS (Official Form 107)

A. Income (current year + prior 2 years)
B. Payments to Creditors within 90 days (preferences)
C. Lawsuits, garnishments, repossessions, foreclosures
D. Gifts & Charitable Contributions > $600
E. Losses (fire, theft, gambling)
F. Payments to Insiders
G. Bank Accounts Closed
H. Safe-Deposit Boxes
I. Property Held for Another
J. Environmental Information (if applicable)

VIII. DECLARATION ABOUT DEBTOR’S SCHEDULES

(Official Form 106Dec)

“I declare under penalty of perjury…”
Signature lines for each Debtor.

IX. CREDITOR MATRIX & VERIFICATION

• Separate PDF/TXT per local rule specs.
• Alphabetized by creditor name; include full mailing address.
• Verification: signed unsworn declaration conforming to 28 U.S.C. § 1746.

X. MEANS TEST – CHAPTER 7

(Official Forms 122A-1 & 122A-2)

• Part 1: Current Monthly Income
• Part 2: Means Test Calculation / Presumption of Abuse
• Part 3: Signature.

[// GUIDANCE: Utilize current IRS/NCC data; update for cases filed on or after the Petition Date.]

XI. CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT COUNSELING & RELATED CERTIFICATIONS

A. Pre-filing Credit Counseling Certificate (within 180 days)
B. Statement of Intent (Official Form 108) – indicate whether to reaffirm, redeem, or surrender collateral.
C. Debtor’s Electronic Noticing Request (if applicable).

XII. SIGNATURE / VERIFICATION BLOCK

Dated: [MM/DD/YYYY]

/s/ [Debtor 1]___ /s/ [Debtor 2]___
[Typed Name] [Typed Name]

/s/ [Attorney Name]___ Date: ___
[NC Bar #] | [Firm] | [Phone] | [Email]
Counsel for Debtor(s)

XIII. EXHIBITS & LOCAL FORMS

1. Form 119 – Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice (if used).
2. Local Rule 4002-1 Documentation Checklist (NC District-specific).
3. Employer Wage Statement Waiver (if applicable).
4. Proposed Order Reinstating Terminated Utility Service (optional).

XIV. FILING CHECKLIST & SERVICE MATRIX

☐ Voluntary Petition (signed)
☐ Schedules A/B–J + Summary
☐ Statement of Financial Affairs
☐ Declaration About Schedules
☐ Creditor Matrix (PDF/TXT + Verification)
☐ Certificate of Credit Counseling
☐ Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income (Means Test)
☐ Statement of Intent
☐ Filing Fee $338 or Application to Pay in Installments / Waiver
☐ Local District Cover Sheet (if required)
☐ Service of Notice to Secured Creditors re Intent (post-filing)

[// GUIDANCE: Assemble into one PDF exactly as ordered by the Clerk’s CM/ECF docket event. File any redacted attachment pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037.]

IMPORTANT RISK-MANAGEMENT NOTES

• Automatic Stay: Be prepared to respond to lift-stay motions; docket critical deadlines (341 Meeting, reaffirmation deadlines, redemption periods).
• Means Test Failure Contingency: If presumption of abuse arises, evaluate conversion vs. dismissal strategy.
• Exemption Objections: Calendar 30-day period post-341 Meeting for trustee/creditor objections under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4003(b).
• Reaffirmation Agreements: Ensure compliance with 11 U.S.C. § 524(k); obtain timely court approval when required.

FINAL DISCLAIMER

This template is furnished for informational purposes to licensed attorneys. It is not a substitute for individualized legal advice. Verify all statutory references, Official Form revisions, and local rule requirements current as of the Petition Date.