DRAFT – CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY PETITION & PLAN TEMPLATE
United States Bankruptcy Court – District of New Hampshire
[// GUIDANCE: This consolidated template combines the voluntary petition, core schedules/ declarations, and a model Chapter 13 plan formatted to comply with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Official Forms, and the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the District of New Hampshire (“LBR-NH”). It is a practitioner-level starting point and must be reviewed, customized, and filed by qualified bankruptcy counsel.]
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DISCLAIMER
This template is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Filing bankruptcy has significant legal, financial, and tax consequences. Practitioners must independently verify all facts, tailor the language to case-specific circumstances, and ensure full compliance with 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532 (the “Bankruptcy Code”), the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (“FRBP”), the Official Forms, and all applicable LBR-NH and Standing Trustee guidelines.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Document Header (Voluntary Petition)
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions (Schedules & Statements)
IV. Representations & Warranties (Debtor Declarations)
V. Covenants & Restrictions (Debtor Duties)
VI. Default & Remedies (Consequences of Non-Compliance)
VII. Risk Allocation (Automatic Stay, Plan Payments)
VIII. Dispute Resolution (Governing Law; Court Jurisdiction)
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block (Signatures, Verification, Notarization)
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I. DOCUMENT HEADER – VOLUNTARY PETITION
[Official Form 101 Adaptation – Use exact Official Form formatting when filing]
1.1 Caption
United States Bankruptcy Court
District of New Hampshire
In re:
Debtor 1: [LEGAL NAME] SSN: xxx-xx-[####]
Debtor 2 (Joint): [LEGAL NAME] SSN: xxx-xx-[####]
Case No.: ___ (to be assigned)
Chapter: 13
1.2 Petition Statement
Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 301, the above-named individual(s) hereby file this voluntary petition for relief under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.
1.3 Prior Bankruptcy Information
☐ None ☐ Prior cases within 8 years: Case No. [____] filed [DATE] in [DISTRICT].
1.4 Attorney Information
Counsel for Debtor(s): [LAW FIRM NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, NH BAR #]
1.5 Venue Certification
Debtor(s) have been domiciled or have had a residence, principal place of business, or principal assets in this District for at least 180 days immediately preceding the filing of this petition, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1408.
[// GUIDANCE: Attach Official Form 101 in its entirety when filing. Retain the language above in counsel’s working draft for internal consistency and risk management.]
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II. DEFINITIONS
“Automatic Stay” means the injunction imposed by 11 U.S.C. § 362 upon the filing of this Petition.
“Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532.
“Debtor(s)” means the individual(s) identified in Section I.
“District” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire.
“Plan” means the Chapter 13 plan set out in Section III-C, including all amendments.
“Standing Trustee” means the duly appointed chapter 13 trustee for this District.
“Trustee Guidelines” means any written payment, documentation, or procedural requirements issued by the Standing Trustee and in effect as of the Petition Date.
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III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
A. Required Schedules & Statements (FRBP 1007)
[PLACEHOLDER: Attach Official Forms 106A–J, 107, 122C-1/2, and 108. Insert cross-references below for counsel’s checklist.]
- Schedule A/B – Property
- Schedule C – Exemptions (NH & federal election)
- Schedule D – Secured Claims
- Schedule E/F – Unsecured Priority & Non-Priority Claims
- Schedule G – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases
- Schedule H – Codebtors
- Schedule I – Income
- Schedule J – Expenses
- Statement of Financial Affairs (SOFA)
- Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income & Calculation of Commitment Period (Form 122C-1) and Disposable Income (Form 122C-2)
[// GUIDANCE: Local practice requires electronic filing via CM/ECF with the “Petition Package” event. PDFs must exactly mirror Official Forms formatting.]
B. Credit Counseling Certification (11 U.S.C. § 109(h))
☐ Certificate attached ☐ Motion for temporary waiver filed concurrently
C. Model Chapter 13 Plan (LBR-NH compliant)
Article 1 – Plan Overview
1.1 Plan Payment. Debtor(s) shall pay to the Standing Trustee the sum of $[AMOUNT] per [WEEK/BI-WEEK/MONTH] for [XX] months, commencing no later than 30 days after the Petition Date. Total projected Plan base: $[TOTAL].
1.2 Term. The applicable commitment period is [36/60] months pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1325(b)(4).
1.3 Trustee Compensation. The Trustee shall receive the statutory percentage fee approved by the United States Attorney General.
Article 2 – Treatment of Claims
2.1 Administrative Claims (11 U.S.C. § 507(a)(2)).
(a) Trustee fees – paid as set forth in § 1.3.
(b) Debtor’s counsel fees – $[FEE]; ☐ paid in full prior to filing ☐ to be paid $[____] through the Plan.
2.2 Secured Claims.
Class 2A – Long-Term Mortgage Debt (cured & maintained).
Creditor: [NAME]; Collateral: [ADDRESS]; Arrearage: $[]; Interest: []%; Cure: $[] paid pro rata; ongoing monthly payment paid [inside/outside] Plan.
Class 2B – 910-Vehicle Claims.
Creditor: [NAME]; Vehicle: [MAKE/MODEL]; Claim: $[]; Interest: []%; Term: [] months.
Class 2C – Real Property Tax Liens.
[DETAILS]
2.3 Priority Unsecured Claims (11 U.S.C. § 507). Paid in full unless creditor consents otherwise.
2.4 Non-Priority Unsecured Claims. Projected dividend: [__]% or $[MINIMUM POT], whichever is greater, to satisfy the “best interest of creditors” test (11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(4)).
Article 3 – Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases
Assumed: [List] Rejected: [List] [// GUIDANCE: Must serve separate notice per FRBP 6006 & LBR-NH.]
Article 4 – Vesting
Property of the estate shall ☐ revest ☐ not revest in the Debtor(s) upon confirmation, subject to § 1327(b).
Article 5 – Plan Confirmation Requirements
5.1 Good-Faith Certification. Debtor(s) represent the Plan is proposed in good faith and not by any means forbidden by law (11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(3)).
5.2 Feasibility. Debtor(s) will be able to make all payments under the Plan (11 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(6)).
5.3 Domestic Support Certification. ☐ Not applicable ☐ Certification attached (for DSO debt).
Article 6 – Miscellaneous Provisions
6.1 Payment Method. Debtor(s) shall remit payments via ☐ TFS Bill Pay ☐ Wage Deduction Order (attached).
6.2 Plan Modification. Any post-confirmation modification shall comply with 11 U.S.C. § 1329 and LBR-NH procedures.
6.3 Additional Provisions. [INSERT any non-standard terms – must be identified in a separate section under LBR-NH.]
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IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
4.1 Accuracy of Information. Debtor(s) represent that all information provided in this Petition, Schedules, Statements, and Plan is true, correct, and complete to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief.
4.2 Eligibility. Debtor(s) warrant they are individuals with regular income and eligible to be debtors under chapter 13 pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 109(e).
4.3 No Material Omissions. Debtor(s) have not intentionally concealed assets, liabilities, income, or expenses.
Survival. The foregoing representations and warranties survive conversion, dismissal, or discharge to the extent permitted by law.
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V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Post-Petition Duties
(a) Timely Plan payments to the Trustee.
(b) Delivery of required tax returns and annual statements of income to the Trustee.
(c) Maintenance of insurance on all property subject to a security interest.
5.2 Incurrence of Post-Petition Debt
Debtor(s) shall not incur consumer debt in excess of $[____] without court approval, except in an emergency for necessary living expenses.
5.3 Real Estate and Vehicle Transfers
No sale, transfer, or encumbrance of estate property outside the ordinary course except upon court order.
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VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
6.1 Payment Default. Failure to make any Plan payment within 30 days of its due date constitutes a material default.
6.2 Trustee Remedies. Upon default, the Trustee may file a motion to dismiss or convert the case after providing 21-days’ notice and opportunity to cure in accordance with LBR-NH and FRBP 9014.
6.3 Creditor Remedies. Relief from stay motions are governed by 11 U.S.C. § 362(d) and LBR-NH procedures.
6.4 Attorney’s Fees & Costs. Reasonable fees and costs incurred in enforcing Plan terms may be allowed as administrative expenses subject to court approval.
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VII. RISK ALLOCATION
7.1 Automatic Stay. The stay of 11 U.S.C. § 362 remains in effect until discharge, dismissal, or further court order.
7.2 Plan Payments as Liability Cap. Creditors’ recoveries are limited to distributions provided under the confirmed Plan, absent a successful motion for stay relief or nondischargeability.
7.3 Force Majeure. Debtor(s) may move to modify or abate Plan payments for cause, including job loss or medical emergency, subject to 11 U.S.C. § 1329. Indemnification is not applicable in consumer bankruptcy matters.
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VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. Matters arising under the Bankruptcy Code are governed by federal law.
8.2 Exclusive Forum. The Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire retains exclusive jurisdiction over all proceedings related to this case.
8.3 Arbitration. Not applicable—bankruptcy jurisdiction is non-arbitrable absent court order.
8.4 Jury Trial. Jury trial rights are limited in bankruptcy; any request must comply with FRBP 9015 and applicable case law.
8.5 Injunctive Relief. The Automatic Stay provides injunctive relief as a matter of statute. Additional injunctive relief requires specific court order.
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IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Amendments & Waivers. Any amendment to the Plan or schedules requires written motion and court approval after notice and hearing.
9.2 Successors. Upon conversion to chapter 7 or appointment of a trustee, rights and duties hereunder inure to the successor trustee as a matter of law.
9.3 Severability. If any provision herein is unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force to the extent consistent with the Bankruptcy Code.
9.4 Integration. This Petition, Schedules, Statements, and Plan constitute the entire filing required for chapter 13 commencement, except as supplemented by subsequently filed documents.
9.5 Counterparts & Electronic Signatures. This document may be executed in counterparts, including by electronic signature compliant with FRBP 5005 and LBR-NH electronic filing procedures.
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X. EXECUTION BLOCK
Under penalty of perjury, the undersigned declare that the information provided in this Petition and all accompanying documents is true and correct.
Debtor 1: _____ Date: _
Debtor 2: _____ Date: _
[// GUIDANCE: Debtor(s) must sign individual signature pages for Official Forms 106 & 107, the SOFA, Form 122C-1/2, and the Plan.]
Attorney for Debtor(s):
[NAME, NH Bar #]
Date: ____
Notary / Verification (if required by specific form):
State of _ County of _
Subscribed and sworn before me this ___ day of ____, 20__.
Notary Public
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END OF TEMPLATE