Florida Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy Document Checklist
Written by Blake Stewart | Florida Bar No. 84716 | Admitted 2010 | Florida Bankruptcy & Estate Planning Attorney
Work through the topics that fit your situation before we meet. Mark an item reviewed when you have gathered it, considered it, or decided it does not apply.
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Gather a reliable overview of your household. Avoid entering sensitive identification numbers here.
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A practical guide to documents, debts, property, deadlines, and questions to discuss with your attorney. Mark an item when you have gathered it, considered it, or decided it does not apply.
01Household and contact information
Gather a reliable overview of your household. Avoid entering sensitive identification numbers here.
- Current mailing address and the date you moved there, if recent.
- Household members and anyone who depends on your income.
- Marital status and any recent or planned change in household circumstances.
- A safe phone number and email address for follow-up.
02Income and employment
Bring records for each person whose income may be relevant. Note irregular or expected changes.
- Recent pay statements.
- Recent tax returns, if available, and notices about missing returns.
- Self-employment, business income, commissions, tips, or seasonal work.
- Benefits, retirement income, support received, rental income, or other regular income.
- Expected changes to income or work.
03Monthly household expenses
Estimates are useful when exact figures are unavailable.
- Housing costs: rent or mortgage, taxes, insurance, and association fees.
- Utilities, phone, internet, food, transportation, and childcare.
- Medical, insurance, education, and regular support expenses.
- Vehicle payments, taxes, insurance, and other secured payments.
- Expenses that are unusual, temporary, or likely to change.
04Property and financial accounts
List approximate values if known. Do not omit property because it has little value or you think it is protected.
- Real estate you own or have an interest in, including property outside Florida.
- Vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, and other titled property.
- Bank, credit union, investment, retirement, and payment-app accounts. Do not enter full account numbers.
- Business ownership, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or intellectual property.
- Life insurance, trusts, inheritances, settlements, tax refunds, or claims you may have.
- Property sold, transferred, gifted, refinanced, or retitled in recent years.
05Debts and collection activity
Include debts you dispute and obligations shared with someone else.
- Credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, taxes, student loans, and business debts.
- Mortgages, vehicle loans, liens, co-signed debts, and debts secured by property.
- Collection letters, lawsuits, judgments, garnishments, repossession notices, or foreclosure notices.
- Debts for which a family member, business, or other person is also responsible.
- Any debt you dispute, do not recognize, or believe was paid.
06Recent events and prior filings
Tell us promptly about a hearing, sale, repossession, garnishment, or other deadline. Do not wait to finish this checklist.
- Any prior bankruptcy case, including approximate filing date and outcome, if known.
- Recent lawsuits, court dates, garnishments, repossessions, foreclosure activity, or eviction notices.
- Recent sale or transfer of property, repayment to relatives, or payment of unusually large debts.
- Business closure, job loss, divorce, illness, injury, or another major financial change.
- Any upcoming deadline or court date; bring the notice if available.
07Your goals and questions
The attorney can explain options after reviewing your circumstances.
- What are you most concerned about losing, keeping, or protecting?
- Are you trying to stop a specific collection action or address an upcoming deadline?
- Do you hope to keep a home, vehicle, or business? Which payments are past due?
- Would a repayment plan be manageable, or is your income changing?
- What questions do you have about Chapter 7, Chapter 13, alternatives, timing, or cost?
08Documents to bring if available
Bring copies when practical. Keep originals unless the attorney asks for them. Use secure submission instructions for financial records.
- Government-issued photo identification and proof of current address.
- Recent income records and tax returns.
- Recent bank or investment statements, handled securely.
- Loan statements, bills, collection letters, court papers, and notices with deadlines.
- Mortgage, lease, vehicle title or loan, insurance, and business ownership documents.
- Any prior bankruptcy paperwork or financial counseling documents.