**UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON**

VOLUNTARY PETITION – CHAPTER 7

(Comprehensive Attorney Template – Washington Version)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use by licensed counsel preparing Chapter 7 filings in the Western or Eastern District of Washington. It integrates the required federal Official Forms, Washington-specific exemption schedules, and local-rule certifications. Replace every bracketed “[PLACEHOLDER]” with client-specific data and delete all guidance comments before filing.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions (Integrated Form Index)
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants & Continuing Obligations
6. Default, Dismissal, & Conversion Mechanics
7. Risk Allocation & Discharge Framework
8. Dispute Resolution & Jurisdiction
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block
11. Attachments & Exhibits Index

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

1.1 Title.
Voluntary Petition for Individuals (Official Form 101) OR Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals (Official Form 201) – Chapter 7.

1.2 Debtor Identification.
• Debtor Legal Name: [DEBTOR FULL LEGAL NAME]
• Joint Debtor Name (if any): [JOINT DEBTOR FULL LEGAL NAME]
• Prior Trade Names: [LIST OR “None”]
• Federal Tax I.D. (EIN/SSN) (last 4 digits): [XXXX]
• Street Address: [PLACEHOLDER]
• Mailing Address (if different): [PLACEHOLDER]

1.3 Counsel of Record.
• Firm Name: [LAW FIRM]
• Lead Attorney: [ATTORNEY NAME], WSBA No. [NUMBER]
• Address, Phone, Email: [PLACEHOLDER]

1.4 Venue Certification.
Debtor resides/domiciles or principal assets are located in [county], Washington; venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1408.

1.5 Petition Date.
Effective as of: [MM/DD/YYYY] (the “Petition Date”).

1.6 Governing Law & Jurisdiction.
This Petition and all related pleadings are governed by Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (“FRBP”), and the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the Western District of Washington (“LBR-WDWA”).

2. DEFINITIONS

(The following defined terms apply throughout the Petition packet. Definitions track terminology appearing in the Official Forms and local rules.)

“Automatic Stay” – the injunction arising under 11 U.S.C. § 362 upon filing.
“Code” – Title 11 of the United States Code.
“Court” – the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington.
“Debtor” – collectively, the Debtor and any Joint Debtor filing under this Petition.
“Estate” – the bankruptcy estate created pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 541.
“Petition Packet” – this Voluntary Petition and all schedules, statements, declarations, and local forms referenced in Section 3.
“Trustee” – the Chapter 7 panel trustee appointed under 11 U.S.C. § 701.

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS (INTEGRATED FORM INDEX)

3.1 Required Federal Forms.
a. Official Form 101 or 201 – Voluntary Petition.
b. Official Form 106 Summary – Summary of Assets and Liabilities.
c. Official Form 106A/B – Property Schedule.
d. Official Form 106C – WA Exemption Schedule (see §3.3).
e. Official Form 106D through 106J-2 – Creditor and Expense Schedules.
f. Official Form 106Dec – Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules.
g. Official Form 107 – Statement of Financial Affairs (“SOFA”).
h. Official Forms 122A-1, 122A-1Supp, 122A-2 – Means Test.
i. Official Form 108 – Statement of Intention.
j. Official Form 2030 – Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney (if applicable).

3.2 Required Local Forms (Western District of Washington).
a. LBR 1006-1 Fee Installment Application (if paying fees in installments).
b. Matrix Verification (Local Form WDB-Matrix).
c. Debtor’s Electronic Noticing Request (Local Form WDB-ElectronicNotice) (optional).
d. Declaration Re: Electronic Filing (if petition filed electronically).

3.3 Washington Exemption Schedule Guidance.
[// GUIDANCE: Washington permits debtors to elect federal or state exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(2). If electing WA state exemptions, incorporate RCW 6.15 et seq. into Schedule C. Populate each exemption item with the higher of WA or federal amounts, as applicable on the Petition Date. Ensure homestead amount reflects annual statutory adjustment.]

3.4 Attachment Sequence.
The Petition Packet shall be assembled in the sequence required by FRBP 1007(b) and LBR 1007-1, beginning with Form 101/201 and ending with any fee applications.

3.5 Filing Mechanics.
a. Electronic filing is mandatory for counsel under LBR 5005-1.
b. Creditor Matrix must be uploaded in TXT format compliant with the Court’s technical specifications.
c. Filing fee of $338.00 payable per 28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1) unless a completed Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (Official Form 103A) or Application to Waive Filing Fee (Official Form 103B) is filed.

4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Accuracy of Information.
The Debtor represents that all information provided in the Petition Packet is true, correct, and complete to the best of Debtor’s knowledge, information, and belief, and understands that material misstatements may constitute bankruptcy fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 152.

4.2 Eligibility.
Debtor warrants eligibility to be a debtor under Chapter 7 pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 109(a)-(b) and that no prior bankruptcy case concerning the Debtor is pending or has been dismissed within the preceding 180 days for willful failure to abide by Court orders or prosecute the case.

4.3 Credit Counseling Compliance.
Debtor represents completion of an approved credit-counseling briefing within 180 days prior to the Petition Date or qualifies for a statutory exemption under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h)(3).

4.4 Exhibit Requirements.
Debtor affirms that Exhibit D (Individual Debtor Statement of Compliance with Credit Counseling) and any required payment-advices under 11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv) will be filed contemporaneously or within 14 days, as applicable.

4.5 Survival.
The representations and warranties herein shall survive the entry of discharge except as expressly limited by 11 U.S.C. § 524.

5. COVENANTS & CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS

5.1 Cooperation with Trustee.
Debtor shall cooperate fully with the Trustee, including but not limited to 11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(3) obligations to turn over records and property of the Estate and to appear at the § 341 meeting of creditors.

5.2 Post-Petition Financial Duties.
a. Debtor shall not incur post-petition credit in excess of $1,000 without Court authorization.
b. Debtor shall promptly notify Trustee of any inheritance, settlement, or other property interests acquired within 180 days after the Petition Date (11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(5)).

5.3 Domestic Support Obligation (DSO) Notice.
If Debtor owes a DSO, Debtor covenants to comply with 11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(5) and provide the Trustee with the current address and contact information of each DSO obligee.

5.4 Tax Return Submission.
Debtor agrees to furnish to the Trustee not later than seven (7) days before the § 341 meeting the federal income tax return (or transcript) for the most recent tax year ending before the Petition Date.

5.5 Means Test Supplementation.
If required under 11 U.S.C. § 704(b), Debtor will timely supplement any missing data affecting the presumption of abuse analysis.

6. DEFAULT, DISMISSAL, & CONVERSION MECHANICS

6.1 Events of Case Default.
a. Failure to file any schedule, statement, or required document within the deadlines of FRBP 1007(c).
b. Failure to appear at the § 341 meeting.
c. Failure to cooperate with the Trustee or comply with Court orders.

6.2 Notice & Cure.
Unless expedited relief is sought, Debtor shall have fourteen (14) days after service of a motion to dismiss or convert to cure the Event of Case Default where cure is legally possible.

6.3 Graduated Remedies.
a. Dismissal under 11 U.S.C. § 707(a) for willful failure to abide by orders or unreasonable delay.
b. Conversion to Chapter 11 or 13 under 11 U.S.C. § 706(b) upon motion by a party in interest.
c. Denial of discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 727(a) for enumerated misconduct.

6.4 Attorney Fees & Costs.
Should the Court determine that Debtor’s conduct necessitated dismissal or conversion, it may award fees to the Trustee or U.S. Trustee under 11 U.S.C. § 105(a) and FRBP 9011.

7. RISK ALLOCATION & DISCHARGE FRAMEWORK

7.1 Automatic Stay.
The filing of this Petition operates as a stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362, subject to the exceptions in subsections (b) and (c).

7.2 Discharge Scope.
Upon entry of a discharge order under 11 U.S.C. § 727, Debtor’s personal liability on dischargeable claims is extinguished, subject to statutory exceptions (e.g., §§ 523(a)(1), (5), (8)).

7.3 Liability Caps.
Discharge constitutes the maximum limitation of Debtor’s post-petition liability for pre-petition debts, except for non-dischargeable obligations and any debts reaffirmed in compliance with 11 U.S.C. § 524(c).

7.4 Indemnification.
Not applicable; no party is providing indemnity in this Petition.

7.5 Force Majeure.
[// GUIDANCE: Generally inapplicable to bankruptcy petitions; remove if unnecessary.]

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & JURISDICTION

8.1 Governing Law.
All disputes arising from or related to this Petition are governed exclusively by the Bankruptcy Code, FRBP, and federal common law.

8.2 Exclusive Forum.
The Bankruptcy Court retains exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising in or related to this Chapter 7 case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and LBR 5011-1.

8.3 Arbitration.
Arbitration is not available for core bankruptcy matters.

8.4 Jury Trial Waiver.
To the extent a jury right exists in any non-core proceeding, Debtor expressly consents to the Bankruptcy Court conducting the jury trial, subject to District Court designation under 28 U.S.C. § 157(e).

8.5 Injunctive Relief.
Parties acknowledge the sufficiency of statutory injunctive relief via the Automatic Stay and, post-discharge, the § 524 injunction.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendments & Supplements.
Debtor may amend schedules or statements as of right before case closure under FRBP 1009(a); amendments thereafter require motion and Court approval.

9.2 Assignment.
Rights and obligations under this Petition are personal to the Debtor and may not be assigned.

9.3 Severability.
If any provision herein conflicts with the Bankruptcy Code, such provision is severed and the remainder enforced to the fullest extent.

9.4 Integration.
This Petition Packet, together with all attached Official and Local forms, constitutes the entire filing required to commence Debtor’s Chapter 7 case, except as subsequently supplemented.

9.5 Electronic Signatures.
Pursuant to LBR 5005-2 and General Order 02-2016, scanned signatures or /s/ formatted electronic signatures of Debtor and counsel are acceptable for ECF filing.

9.6 Counterparts.
This Petition may be executed in multiple counterparts, each deemed an original.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

Executed under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America.

A. Debtor

Signature: _______
Printed Name: [DEBTOR NAME]
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

B. Joint Debtor (if applicable)

Signature: _______
Printed Name: [JOINT DEBTOR NAME]
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

C. Attorney for Debtor

Signature: _______
Printed Name: [ATTORNEY NAME], WSBA [NUMBER]
Firm: [LAW FIRM]
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

[// GUIDANCE: For individual debtors, include Form 101 Declaration in Support of Electronic Filing; for non-individuals, include corporate resolution authorizing bankruptcy filing.]

11. ATTACHMENTS & EXHIBITS INDEX

• Exhibit A – Completed Official Form 101 or 201
• Exhibit B – Schedule Summary (106 Summary)
• Exhibit C – Schedules A/B through J-2
• Exhibit D – Washington Exemption Schedule (106C)
• Exhibit E – Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)
• Exhibit F – Means Test Forms 122A-1, 1Supp, 2
• Exhibit G – Statement of Intention (108)
• Exhibit H – Creditor Matrix & Verification
• Exhibit I – Attorney Compensation Disclosure (2030)
• Exhibit J – Certificate of Credit Counseling or Exemption
• Exhibit K – Local Forms (Fee Applications, Matrix Declaration, Electronic Notice Request)

[// GUIDANCE: Maintain exhibit order to facilitate clerk review. Double-check that all SSN-related forms are redacted per FRBP 9037.]

END OF TEMPLATE