Filing for bankruptcy starts with disclosing all financial information. This is done on a form called a ‘bankruptcy petition’, provided by the US Bankruptcy Court. The bankruptcy case starts when the bankruptcy petition form is filed. Both individuals and businesses can file bankruptcy petitions. These can be voluntary – done by the person or business – or involuntary, filed against the person or business by someone else. Petition details include the kind of bankruptcy – the ‘Chapter’ – plus details of assets, legal status and other personal or business information. As a US Court legal instrument, filing a bankruptcy petition is a legal decision, with penalties attached for perjury or fraud. The bankruptcy petition is the first of many forms and steps in a complete bankruptcy case.
