What You’ll Learn

Bankruptcy Foundations & Your Role Under § 110

Introduction to federal bankruptcy law, the automatic stay, key players, what you can and cannot do as a non-attorney petition preparer, and required disclosure obligations.

The Means Test (Form 122A-1 & 122A-2)

Step-by-step means test completion for Chapter 7 qualification. Current monthly income calculation, applicable median income comparison, and expense deductions.

Schedules A/B — Real & Personal Property

Listing all real and personal property accurately. What to include, how to value assets, and common errors that cause trustee scrutiny.

Schedules C–F — Exemptions & Creditors

Claiming exemptions using Minnesota or federal exemption scheme, listing secured creditors, priority unsecured, and general unsecured creditors accurately.

Schedules G–J — Contracts, Co-Debtors, Income & Expenses

Executory contracts and unexpired leases, co-debtor disclosure, current monthly income (Schedule I), and current monthly expenses (Schedule J).

Statement of Financial Affairs (SOFA)

All required disclosures — income sources, payments to creditors, transfers, lawsuits, business interests, and more. Every line explained.

Statement of Intention

How debtors declare their intentions for secured property — reaffirm, redeem, surrender, or avoid lien.

Creditor Matrix — Building & Formatting

Creating the mailing matrix, formatting requirements, noticing requirements, and how trustees use the matrix.

Quality Control — Review Checklist Before Filing

Pre-submission review protocol. The most common errors made by petition preparers and how to catch them before they reach the attorney.

Client Intake & Working with Attorneys

Creating intake packets, collecting required documents, handling missing information professionally, communication protocols with attorneys.

Bankruptcy Software Workflows

Working with common bankruptcy software platforms. Data entry standards, file naming conventions, and review workflows.

Filing Procedures & MN District Local Rules

Minnesota District Court local rules, trustee contacts, common rejection reasons, and filing procedures specific to MN bankruptcy practice.

Chapter 13 Foundations & Repayment Plans

How Chapter 13 works, eligibility, plan duration (36 vs. 60 months), the automatic stay, trustee’s role, and how Chapter 13 differs from Chapter 7.

Means Test (Form 122C-1 & 122C-2) — Disposable Income

Calculating projected disposable income for the repayment plan. Current monthly income, applicable commitment period, and allowed expenses.

Drafting the Chapter 13 Plan

Structure of the plan, plan payment amounts, distribution to secured and unsecured creditors, priority claims, and plan confirmation requirements.

Secured Creditor Treatment & Cramdowns

How mortgages, car loans, and other secured debts are handled. Cramdown mechanics, Till rate calculations, and surrender vs. retention treatment.

Unsecured Creditors in Chapter 13

Priority unsecured (taxes, child support) vs. general unsecured. Best-interest test, projected disposable income test, and pro-rata distribution.

Schedules in Chapter 13 — Key Differences from Ch. 7

How Schedules I and J differ for Chapter 13, ongoing income changes, and common issues that arise with repayment plan feasibility.

Case Monitoring as Ongoing Income

Post-confirmation modification requests, payment plan changes, motions to dismiss, and how VBAs can build recurring income monitoring active Chapter 13 cases for attorneys.

Plan Confirmation & Modifications

The confirmation hearing process, common objections, trustee recommendations, and how modifications are prepared and filed.

Quality Control for Chapter 13

Pre-submission review checklist specific to Chapter 13. Plan feasibility review, common errors, and what trustees flag in their pre-confirmation reviews.

Client Intake for Chapter 13 Cases

Collecting the additional documentation needed for Chapter 13 (tax returns, pay stubs, mortgage statements, vehicle values), attorney communication protocols.

Setting Rates & Getting Attorney Clients

How VBAs are compensated (per petition, per schedule, or hourly), typical rates in the market, where to find Minnesota bankruptcy attorneys, and how to pitch your services.

Remote Workflow & File Management

Setting up a secure remote office, document management systems, file naming conventions, data security basics, and turnaround time standards attorneys expect.

Contracts, Agreements & Liability Under § 110

VBA services agreements, confidentiality, limiting liability, understanding your disclosure obligations as a petition preparer, and protecting yourself professionally.

Growing Your Practice & Scaling

Client referrals, specialization options (Chapter 13, complex estates), subcontracting, building recurring relationships, and long-term income planning.