Table of Contents

• Jurisdiction: United States

Table of Contents

Introduction.................................................................1

Chapter 1: Pre-Filing Considerations for Individual Chapter 11 Cases..........................................................3

I. Why File an Individual Chapter 11?...........................3

A. Eligibility.................................................................................4

B. Means to Reorganize..............................................................4

C. No Co-Debtor Stay.................................................................4

D. The Debtor Is the Trustee......................................................5

E. Appointment of a Creditors' Committee.............................5

F. Duration of Plans of Reorganization.....................................6

G. Property Settlements Are Not Dischargeable.....................6

II. Involuntary Chapter 11 Petition: Is Filing an Involuntary Chapter 11 Petition Against an Individual Constitutional?....................7

III. Representation of an Individual Chapter 11 Debtor ... 8

A. Duty of Counsel in Individual Chapter 11 Cases: Who Is Your Client?...............................................................8

B. Employment as General Counsel..........................................9

C. Exemption Issues..................................................................11

D. Issues Related to the Post-Petition Expenses of an Individual Chapter 11 Debtor .............................................13

E. Filing of an Individual Chapter 11 Case with Related Bankruptcy Cases..................................................................15

Chapter 2: Preparation of the Petition, Schedules and Statements: What's Different?.............................19

I. Preparation of the Petition: Don't Just "Check the Box".......................................19

A. Part 1: Name and Address of the Debtor ...........................19

B. Part 2: Current and Prior Case(s).......................................20

C. Part 3: Can an Individual Be a Small Business Debtor? ...20

D. Part 4: Does the Debtor Own or Possess Any Hazardous Property?...............................................................................21

E. Part 5: Credit Counseling.....................................................22

F. Part 6: Description of Debts: Consumer vs. Business vs. Other Debts............................................................................22

G. Part 7: Sworn Signatures......................................................23

H. List of 20-Largest Unsecured Creditors.............................23

II. Schedule C: Exemptions..........................................23

III. Schedules I and J.....................................................24

A. Schedule I: Income...