Documents needed prior to filing bankruptcy:

A.  Paystubs (Bankruptcy Trustees call them “pay advices.”) We need to see, in pdf format, paystubs for the prior 6-month period all the way up to the filing of the bankruptcy case. If you don’t have wages, other documents can be used to show other types of income.

B.   An income and expense statement for individuals who own a business. 

C.   Tax returns both Federal and State for the last tax year you filed. 

D.  A credit report is not required, but is advisable to supplement the list of creditors known to be owed by the individual. 

E.   A credit counseling certificate, from an approved credit counseling agency. I like MoneySharp.org. But there are other credit counseling companies that are approved by the Court in our district that are more expensive. CC_Missouri (justice.gov)

Documents needed immediately after filing bankruptcy:

F.   A document that identifies the Debtor—This is usually a driver’s license, but may be substituted by another picture ID as specified by the Court.

G.   A document that “proves up” the Debtor’s social security number. The best document for this purpose is a social security card. If you are preparing for filing bankruptcy, go and find your social security card, or apply for a duplicate at the social security office. If you can’t manage to find your social security card, or to find it by the time your case is filed, the Court will take a recent or an old w-2.  That’s the piece of paper that is usually half a sheet of paper, given to you by your employer.  A tax return will NOT suffice as proof of your social security number. 

H.   In a chapter 7 case, we need, in pdf format, a bank statement, for accounts that are actual or virtual, that the individual has open. These statements must cover the date of the filing of the case.