Identify account and plan type, owner, sponsor, balance, loans, contributions, withdrawals, beneficiaries, and any domestic-relations order.
Start with what exists, who owns it, who claims an interest, what it is worth or owed, and which dated event changes the next step.
The evidence chain
Records to preserve
Statements, plan documents, loan records, contribution history, distributions, and orders.
Keep the document showing the original relationship as well as the newest balance or status. If they disagree, preserve both and write down the difference.
Question for individual review
What legal protections and non-bankruptcy consequences apply to this specific account?
- What fact is known from an original record?
- What is only an estimate or third-party claim?
- Which state or federal rule needs current verification?
Connect the record to the whole case
Chapter 7
Ask how ownership, value, liens, exemptions, income, transfers, and the character of the obligation may affect eligibility, property risk, or discharge questions.
Chapter 13
Ask how the record may affect secured or priority treatment, claims, direct payments, plan feasibility, and duties that continue during the case.
Other paths
Confirm whether a dispute, assistance program, payment arrangement, defense, exemption claim, or other non-bankruptcy step belongs in the comparison.
When two records disagree
Do not choose the number that looks most favorable. Keep both records, identify their source and date, request the account history or public record that can reconcile them, and disclose the disagreement to the professional reviewing the file. The difference may be ordinary timing, or it may reveal a dispute that needs separate attention.
Three labels that prevent confusion
Confirmed
Supported by the controlling source.
Disputed
Amount, ownership, value, or legal status is challenged.
Open
A record, date, or professional answer is still missing.
Preserve before acting
Cashing out an account can change both protection and tax consequences.
Check the current official source
U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Basics explains the federal process. Use official bankruptcy forms, the U.S. Trustee Program means-testing page, and the U.S. Courts page for people filing without a lawyer as applicable. Current local rules, dates, forms, fees, and individual advice still matter.