- 1). Attend credit counseling with a federally approved counselor located in Maryland. You can find a list of approved credit counselors on the website for the U.S. Department of Justice. Under federal law, you must complete credit counseling within the 180 days prior to filing for bankruptcy. Obtain a certificate of completion from your credit counselor.
- 2). Download bankruptcy paperwork from the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court. You need a voluntary bankruptcy petition, Schedules A through J, a Statement of Social Security Numbers, a Statement of Financial Affairs, a Notice to Consumer Debtors, a Means Test and Monthly Income Calculation form, a Statement of Intentions and a Notice to Debtors Filing Without an Attorney.
- 3). Complete the petition. Provide general information and elect Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Do not put your entire Social Security Number on the petition form. Instead, put the last four digits of your Social Security Number on the petition and fill out the Statement of Social Security Numbers. If you and your spouse are filing for bankruptcy together, put her information on the petition as well. Check the box next to Exhibit D. Sign the Exhibit D paper stating that you received credit counseling and attach it to the petition along with your certificate of completion.
- 4). Provide information about your income, assets and debts on Schedules A through J. If you intend to keep your house or car, claim exemptions for them on Schedule C. Maryland does not allow debtors to claim an exemption for their homesteads under Chapter 7. However, if you and your spouse own the home together and you are filing bankruptcy as an individual, you can claim a tenancy exemption for your home. You may claim a wild card exemption of up to $5,000 to keep your vehicle.
- 5). Complete a Statement of Financial Affairs. Answer questions 1 through 18 on this form. If you own a business, you must also answer questions 19 through 25.
- 6). Perform the means test calculation. You must make less than the median income for Maryland to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. As of 2010, the median income is between $52,200 and $103,500 depending upon your county of residence.
- 7). Complete the Statement of Intentions. You must report each asset you own and declare whether you are going to keep it, surrender it or sell it.
- 8). Return to the U.S. Department of Justice's website to find an approved financial management education course. Complete this course and attach the certificate of completion to your bankruptcy petition.
- 9). Type a list of your creditors. Provide the name and address of each creditor and skip a space between creditors.
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Sign the Notice to Consumer Debtors and the Notice to Debtors Filing Without An Attorney. - 11
Make copies of all your paperwork for your records. File the originals with the court and pay the filing fee. As of 2010, the filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $299. If you cannot afford the entire fee, you can apply to pay them in installments when you file your application. You must also mail a copy of the paperwork to each of your creditors and file the notice of service with the court indicating that you have done so. - 12
Check your mail for your notice of filing. This notice will list the date, time and place of your meeting with creditors. It will also give you the name and address of your bankruptcy trustee. Mail a copy of your latest tax return and your last three pay stubs to your bankruptcy trustee. - 13
Attend your meeting of creditors and honestly answer any questions your trustee asks. - 14
Receive your discharge of debts in the mail.
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