The bankruptcy schedules are designed to list all of your assets, debts, income, and expenses. This article will outline the different schedules and the information you should disclose in a common consumer bankruptcy case.
Schedules A and B
Schedules A and B list all of the assets the debtor owns. Specifically, schedule A lists all the real property the debtor owns. This means all land, houses, oil and gas interests, time shares, future interests in real property, and any other real-estate. The debtor will also list the value of such property and the amount of any secured claim on the property. Schedule B lists all personal property—essentially everything else. This list would contain all monies in cash or bank accounts, all security deposits, all household items, art, pictures or prints, jewelry, sporting equipment, clothing, cars, boats and pets. Some commonly missed items include: stocks, bonds, or other investments; life insurance policies (especially those with a cash value); an interest in a business or partnership; an entitlement to an inheritance from a deceased person; property held for you in trust; or entitlement to sue someone for money damages (car accident, personal loan, etc.).
Schedule C
Schedule C lists all your exemptions. Generally exemptions are the particular code that protects your property. In Texas you can use either the Texas exemptions or Federal exemptions. Both exemptions have their advantages and disadvantages and it is important that you speak to attorney about which set you should use. Any non-exempt property can be sold to pay creditors in a chapter 7 case and can cause your plan payment to increase in a chapter 13.
Schedules D, E and F
On schedules D, E and F you list all of your creditors. Specifically, schedule D lists all of your secured creditors. A secured creditor is a creditor who holds an interest in collateral you are purchasing. The most common examples are a mortgage, a car note, and a purchase money agreement (typically for furniture or other household items). In order to keep the collateral the debts must be satisfied (paid). Schedule E lists all of your priority debt. The typical priority debts in a consumer case are income taxes and/or a domestic support obligation (such as child support or alimony). Priority debts are generally non-dischargeable debts that congress has decided are entitled to special treatment. In a chapter 7 case these debts will pass through the bankruptcy and in a chapter 13 case these debts must be paid during the life of the plan. Schedule F lists all of your general unsecured debts. This is essentially all other debts, including: credit cards, medical debt, student loans, pay day loans, deficiencies on surrendered or repossessed collateral, and personal loans. These debts, with the exception of student loan debt, will be discharged or wiped out at the end of the bankruptcy case.
Schedule G
Schedule G lists any leases or executory contracts you are a party to. An executory contract is one where both parties have the ability to breach, or break the contract. In a typical consumer case you will list any residential leases or car leases on schedule G. These leases are either assumed or rejected—meaning you either keep the lease or you don’t. If you reject the lease then any remaining default is discharged in the bankruptcy.
Schedule H
Schedule H lists any co-debtors. This is where you list any co-signers on any of your debts. If a married couple is filing they do not need to list each other on the petition, but if one spouse is filing individually they need to be listed.
Schedule I and J
On Schedule I you list all the sources of income you have in the household. In Texas, under the 5th circuit opinion, all income—with the exception of social security income—must be listed on the schedule I. In addition to wage income, types of income include: family contributions, unemployment, retirement, child support, disability (non-social security); real-estate or rental income, interest and dividends, pension, and any other sources. On schedule J you list your budget or your expenses. While everyone’s budget is unique the Trustee will compare your budget to the IRS standard expenses for your household size. If your budget item is higher than the IRS standard amount your budget may be under scrutiny and you may need to provide supporting documentation to explain why your budget is higher.
In conclusion, bankruptcy schedules are a highly detailed and important part of your bankruptcy case. They are signed under penalty of perjury and must be filled out accurately. For more information and a free consultation, contact the experienced bankruptcy attorneys at Fears Nachawati by calling 1.866.705.7584 or by sending an email to fears@fnlawfirm.com.