To file for bankruptcy, you will need records with the following information:

• The amounts and type of your debts. Include credit card debts, loans, taxes, and unpaid medical bills. Note whether the debts are secured (backed by something you own, like your car) or unsecured. You'll have to know how much you have left and the payment history.



• The dates when you incurred your debts. For credit cards and loans, you'll need to know the amount of purchases, cash advances, or balance transfers for the last six months.



• The value of each of your assets. An asset is anything that you own, have a right to own, or own a part of. Items are valued at what you could sell them for today, not what you paid for them.
  Sample assets:


• household items
• vehicles
• real estate
• stocks
• money in bank accounts
• retirement accounts
• insurance
• your interest as a beneficiary in someone's will
• lawsuits in which you are a plaintiff
• Interests in businesses (corporations or partnerships).

You'll need to report your monthly income and expenses. If you own real estate, you'll need to know the current fair market value for each property; how each title is held; the current amount owed on each trust deed, mortgage, lien, or liens against it; and the date the property was purchased. If you receive rental income, you'll need to know how much rental income you've received.

Whether you have been a party to a lawsuit in the last year and if so, the current status of the case.

Do You Need An Attorney?
An attorney is required for any bankruptcy filings.  In addition, an attorney knows what to look for and won't miss opportunities to exempt assets, omit property or creditors from their schedules. An attorney will keep you from cutting corners in illegal ways or underestimating living expenses. Mistakes can lose you assets that could have been saved, leave you with more debt or not get your debt erased.