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Step 1
Collect your income information for the preceding six months to determine your income qualifications to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. The average, monthly gross income must be calculated based upon the previous six months. If your income exceeds the median income, you may not qualify for a Chapter 7. The median income for the State of Ohio changes periodically. Additionally, the number of persons in the household will determine the maximum allowed amount of gross household income.
Effective April 1, 2022 the median income for one person is $54,877, for two persons it is $70,209, for three it is $82,734 and for four it is $100,693.
Step 2
Calculate your household budget. How much income does your family require to maintain the household each month for things like food, clothing, shelter, medicine, transportation and insurance? Subtract that amount from the monthly “take home” pay and see if there is any disposable monthly income.
Step 3
Make a list of all of the debts that you owe. Determine if the debt that you owe is dischargeable in Bankruptcy.
Step 4
Verify your debt. Obtain a credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. This allows you to find any collection actions and obtain account numbers. All residents of Ohio are entitled to receive a copy of their own credit report each year at Transunion (my favorite), Experian, and Equifax.
Step 5
Consult with a credit counselor.
Obtain a certificate of credit counseling.
Obtain from them a certificate which verifies that you have gone through credit counseling. Credit counseling is a requirement in Bankruptcy. There is a fee for obtaining this certificate. A low cost option is CCAdvising.com use my attorney code BKSPY.
Final Step!
Contact me for a free, extensive, and confidential consultation to review your individual situation and examine your legal options. There is a consultation fee for business cases or complex litigation cases.
419-243-9424
Deborah Spychalski Law
500 Madison Avenue
Suite 525
Toledo, OH 43604
419-243-9424