LEGAL NOTICE — READ CAREFULLY
1. This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
2. Bankruptcy practice is highly technical; always confirm current forms, local rules, and filing fees with the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern, Central, or Southern District of Illinois before filing.
3. Retention of competent bankruptcy counsel is strongly advised.

Comprehensive Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition Packet

United States Bankruptcy Court – [Northern | Central | Southern] District of Illinois

Effective Date: [DATE]

[// GUIDANCE: This packet is modeled on Official Bankruptcy Forms (public-domain federal forms) and incorporates Illinois-specific exemptions and local practice. Replace every bracketed PLACEHOLDER before filing.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Core Petition & Schedules
   3.1 Official Form 101 – Voluntary Petition (Individuals)
   3.2 Summary of Assets & Liabilities (Form 106Sum)
   3.3 Schedules A/B-J (Forms 106A/B–106J)
   3.4 Schedule C – Illinois Exemptions (Form 106C)
   3.5 Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)
   3.6 Statement of Intention (Form 108)
   3.7 Means-Test Forms 122A-1/1Supp/2
4. Local Illinois Forms & Certifications
5. Declarations & Signatures
6. Exhibit – Illinois Exemption Reference Chart
7. Exhibit – Trustee Initial Document Checklist
8. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

United States Bankruptcy Court
[District] District of Illinois
Case No.: [To be assigned]
Chapter: 7
In re:
• Debtor 1: [DEBTOR 1 FULL LEGAL NAME]
• Debtor 2: [DEBTOR 2 FULL LEGAL NAME] (if joint case)
Debtor(s).

2. DEFINITIONS

Bankruptcy Code Title 11 of the United States Code.
Bankruptcy Rules The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Court The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the [District] District of Illinois.
Exempt Property Property claimed exempt on Schedule C pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/Art. XII and related statutes.
Petition The voluntary petition (Official Form 101) commencing this Chapter 7 case.
Schedules Collectively, Official Forms 106A/B–106J and any amended schedules.
SOFA Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107).
Trustee The Chapter 7 panel trustee appointed under 11 U.S.C. § 701.

3. CORE PETITION & SCHEDULES

3.1 OFFICIAL FORM 101 – VOLUNTARY PETITION

[// GUIDANCE: The text below tracks Official Form 101 (12/22 revision). Items are numbered as in the Official Form for court-readiness.]

Part 1 – Identify the Debtor
1. Name • [DEBTOR 1 LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE]
2. All Other Names Used in the Last 8 Years • [ALIASES]
3. Last 4 digits of SSN • [XXX-XX-____]
4. Address • [STREET, CITY, STATE IL, ZIP, COUNTY]
5. Debtor 2 (if any) [Repeat lines 1-4]

Part 2 – Tell the Court About the Case
6. Type of Debtor ☒ Individual(s)
7. Chapter ☒ Chapter 7 (Liquidation)
8. Nature of Debts ☒ Consumer ☐ Business
9. Estimated Assets [CHECKBOX RANGE]
10. Estimated Liabilities [CHECKBOX RANGE]

Part 3 – Report If You Have Filed Before
11. Prior Bankruptcies [PROVIDE DETAILS OR “NONE”]

Part 4 – Admin Information
12. District [IL NORTHERN / CENTRAL / SOUTHERN]
13. Filing Fee ☒ Paid ☐ Payment Deferred (attach Form 103A)
14. Attorney Rep. ☒ Yes Attorney name: [COUNSEL NAME & BAR No.]

Debtor Declaration
“I have examined this petition...”
Signature [DEBTOR 1 SIGNATURE] Date [DATE]
Signature [DEBTOR 2 SIGNATURE] Date [DATE]

[Attorney Signature Block follows Official Form requirements.]

3.2 SUMMARY OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES (FORM 106Sum)

[PLACEHOLDER TABLE auto-totals values from Schedules A/B and D-J.]

3.3 SCHEDULES A/B THROUGH J

[// GUIDANCE: Use current Official Forms. Below are high-level placeholders.]

A/B Real & Personal Property – itemize description, location, and value.
C Property You Claim as Exempt – see Section 3.4.
D Secured Creditors – include last 4 digits, address, and collateral description.
E/F Unsecured Priority & Non-Priority Claims – list with codes per form.
G Executory Contracts & Unexpired Leases – list counterparties, dates.
H Codebtors – name and address of each codebtor.
I Current Monthly Income – attach proof (pay stubs, benefits letters).
J Expenses – monthly averages; verify consistency with Form 122A-1.

3.4 SCHEDULE C – ILLINOIS EXEMPTIONS

[// GUIDANCE: Illinois has opted out of federal exemptions, 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A). Populate with statute citations only when certain.]

[Add spouse’s exemptions separately if filing jointly.]

3.5 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS (FORM 107)

[PLACEHOLDER for 28 questions covering past income, transfers, lawsuits, etc. Attach continuation sheets as needed.]

3.6 STATEMENT OF INTENTION (FORM 108)

Identify secured debts and leases to be: ☒ Reaffirmed ☐ Redeemed ☐ Surrendered.

3.7 MEANS-TEST (FORMS 122A-1 / 1SUPP / 2)

[// GUIDANCE: Illinois median income data updates frequently – confirm before filing. Provide calculation worksheets here.]

4. LOCAL ILLINOIS FORMS & CERTIFICATIONS

1. Credit Counseling Certificate (11 U.S.C. § 109(h)) – completed within 180 days pre-petition.
2. Debtor’s Certification of Mailing Matrix – Local Rule 1007-1.
3. Statement Regarding Pay Advices (Form 121) or Affidavit of No Pay Stubs – Local Rule 1007-1(D).
4. Declaration re: Electronic Filing (Attorney-filed cases).
5. Northern District Only – Statement of Social-Security-Number (Local Form).

5. DECLARATIONS & SIGNATURES

• Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Form 106Dec).
• Verification of Creditor Matrix.
• Attorney’s Disclosure of Compensation (Form 2030).
All signatures must be original or conformed per Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5005 and local CM/ECF procedures.

6. EXHIBIT – ILLINOIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE CHART

Homestead – 735 ILCS 5/12-901 – $15,000 equity.
Personal Property (Wildcard) – 735 ILCS 5/12-1001(b) – $4,000 aggregate.
Motor Vehicle – 735 ILCS 5/12-1001(c) – $2,400 equity.
Wages – 735 ILCS 5/12-803 – 85% of gross or 45 × fed. min. wage, whichever is greater.
[// GUIDANCE: Insert additional exemptions for life insurance, pensions, health aids, etc.]

7. EXHIBIT – TRUSTEE INITIAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Deliver to Trustee no later than 7 days before § 341 meeting:
☐ Most recent 60 days of pay advices (11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv))
☐ Last two filed federal/state tax returns
☐ Bank statements covering petition date
☐ Vehicle titles & real estate deeds
☐ Proof of property insurance
☐ Completed Trustee Questionnaire (Illinois Chapter 7 Panel)

8. EXECUTION BLOCK

Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], Illinois.

Debtor 1: ________
[DEBTOR 1 NAME]

Debtor 2: ________
[DEBTOR 2 NAME] (if applicable)

Attorney for Debtor(s): ________
[ATTORNEY NAME, FIRM, BAR No.]
Address: [ADDRESS] Tel: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]

Notary Public (if required for local form verifications):
State of Illinois County of _
Subscribed and sworn before me on [DATE].
Notary Signature: _______
My Commission Expires: [DATE]

FILING & SERVICE NOTES

[// GUIDANCE: file electronically via CM/ECF unless pro se; pay current filing fee of $338 or submit Form 103A for installment payments. Serve a copy of the Petition on the U.S. Trustee only if required for emergency relief; otherwise, Court will issue notice and serve creditors.]

AUTOMATIC STAY (11 U.S.C. § 362)

Upon filing, the automatic stay immediately enjoins most collection activity. Violations may subject creditors to sanctions, including actual damages, costs, and attorney’s fees.

LIMITED JURY AVAILABILITY

Bankruptcy courts conduct bench trials; any request for a jury trial must be made by motion and is subject to withdrawal of reference to the U.S. District Court. See 28 U.S.C. § 157(e).

DISCHARGE & LIABILITY CAPS

A Chapter 7 discharge permanently enjoins pre-petition claims except those excluded by 11 U.S.C. § 523.

End of Template

[// GUIDANCE: Review all data for accuracy, update median income figures, and cross-check totals across schedules before filing. Maintain originals of all signed documents for at least five years.]