Define the question before choosing an answer
Use this guide to organize Personal, Business Debt Overlap, Assets, Taxes and Chapter 7 Or 13 Questions. Start with the controlling record and date, then connect the issue to the bankruptcy chapter, property, debts, and local procedure that may change the answer.
Evidence file for Sole Proprietor Bankruptcy
Personal
The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it.
Business Debt Overlap
Entity records, owners, guarantees, accounts, receivables, inventory, leases, taxes, payroll, assets, and insider payments.
Assets
Ownership, current value, liens, acquisition date, supporting records, expected payments, and recent changes.
Taxes
Tax type and year, return filing date, assessment, transcript, balance, lien, levy, audit, and payment history.
Chapter 7 Or 13 Questions
The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it.
Facts that shape the review
- Separate the entity from the individual: ownership, guarantees, taxes, leases, payroll, receivables, collateral, and recent owner transactions may point to different options.
Issue log
| Issue | Evidence to preserve | Open question |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it. | |
| Business Debt Overlap | Entity records, owners, guarantees, accounts, receivables, inventory, leases, taxes, payroll, assets, and insider payments. | |
| Assets | Ownership, current value, liens, acquisition date, supporting records, expected payments, and recent changes. | |
| Taxes | Tax type and year, return filing date, assessment, transcript, balance, lien, levy, audit, and payment history. | |
| And Chapter 7 Or 13 Questions | The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it. |
Questions that can change the next step
| Question | Your facts |
|---|---|
| What exact outcome is needed? | |
| What date changes the next step? | |
| Which fact remains unverified? |
Timing caution
If a sale, hearing, deduction, seizure, shutoff, or response deadline is near, use qualified local help rather than waiting for general online information.
Verify with current sources
U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Basics · Official Bankruptcy Forms · Current Means Testing Data · Official source directory