What is schedule A?

Schedule A consists of real property that you have an interest in such as your home, raw land, etc. Mobile homes are often listed under real property.

What is schedule B?

Schedule B consists of basically all other property you have aside from your real property.  It also includes cash, bank accounts, household goods like your furniture, cars, motorcycles, guns, computers, appliances, collections like a doll or baseball card collection, interests in insurance policies, IRAS, ERISA, pension or profit sharing plans, stocks, bonds, interests in corporation, partnerships, accounts receivables, and investments of any kind...as well as things like security deposits to which you have an entitlement and even the proceeds of a personal injury claim that you may have that you have not yet received. This is true even if you never filed a lawsuit. Therefore, if you got into an accident and filed bankruptcy before you received a settlement...it is likely the settlement will be taken by the Trustee and distributed to your creditors. It is important that you list everything. Failure to list all of your assets may be considered fraud and could land you in jail. That is no exaggeration. Trust me, "oops, I forgot I owned that old clunker in the yard will not keep you out of jail".  List everything! An important point to remember is that in many if not most states cash is not a protected asset. If you own a bank account at the time you filed your bankruptcy case...any funds in the bank account on the day you file may be ceased by the trustee and distributed to your creditors. There are sometimes "wildcard exemptions" which protected a certain dollar amount worth of property regardless of what the property is, even cash.

What is schedule C?

What is schedule D?

Schedule D...your list of Secured Creditors. Secured creditors are creditors that have a security interest in a tangible piece of property like a home or a car. A mortgage company is a secured creditor. The mortgage is secured against the home itself. If you don't make the payments, they foreclose on the home. You must make sure that if you plan on keeping the property like your house or your car that you must continue to make your payments on time. We recommend sending the payments by certified mail so you have proof they received the payment. Some unscrupulous mortgage companies have been known to claim they did not receive payments so they could move forward with foreclosures on homes.  You cannot list a secured creditor in a bankruptcy and expect to keep the property. If you don't make the payment the creditor will repossess the property. Otherwise, people would go out and buy a Lamborghini and then file bankruptcy.

What is schedule E?

Schedule E is where you list Priority Creditors, or creditors that cannot simply be wiped out in bankruptcy.  These include certain federal and state taxes, child support arrearages, alimony arrearages, and student loans, among others.

What is schedule F?

Schedule F lists the unsecured Creditors such as credit cards, charge cards, personal loans, bank loans, payday loans, medical bills, cell phone bills, etc.  It is extremely important that you list all of your creditors on your schedules. If a creditor is not listed, it will not be discharged, and that creditor will still be able to pursue you after your bankruptcy is over.  Provide your petition preparer with as many creditors as you can find. Also, make sure you list the collection agencies even if the debt is already listed under the original creditor. So, if Bob's Electronics turned the matter over to Nasty Collectors, make sure you list them both. More is definitely better. List everyone that could conceivable claim you owe them money. Even if you got into an accident and your not sure whose fault it was, still list the other driver in the bankruptcy or anyone else in the accident that might sue you, including any passengers in your own car. Even if it is a friend or relative. Blame it on your lawyer, say your attorney required you to list all potential creditors. Actually, this is not a lie, you must list all of your creditors.

What is schedule G?

Schedule G is a list of debts for which you have a co-signer. For example, if good old Dad co-signed on your vehicle, you would list that here. Keep in mind, that if you list a debt for which you had a co-signer, your obligation will be discharged in the bankruptcy but the creditor will still be able to go after good old Dad because he will still be on the hook for the debt he co-signed on your behalf.

What is schedule H?

Schedule H is a list of your unexpired leases or contracts like a vehicle lease or apartment lease.

What is schedule I?

Schedule I is your current income from any sources including, wages, social security, pension, disability, roommate contribution, family support, alimony, child support, etc. In this section, you also give marital status information, list of dependents, and specific employment information.

What is schedule J?

Schedule J is a list of your expenses like mortgage, rent, food, car payments, utilities, insurance, clothing, laundry expenses, gas for your vehicle, entertainment charitable contributions, etc. The expenses must be reasonable. Below is a list of common areas where debtors sometimes list unreasonable amounts. A reasonable range has been included.

Please keep in mind that you are filing a bankruptcy and wiping out your obligation to pay your creditors. Exhibiting to the Trustee that you live the lifestyle of the rich and famous is not too smart. Provide accurate information but use your head! Sit down and try to determine what you could prove if the Trustee asks you for proof. Around the time you decide to file, keep receipts from your expenses. Keep copies of your utility bills, car payments, insurance payments, grocery receipts, gas receipts, etc.