The courts must charge a $245 case filing fee, a $39 miscellaneous administrative fee, and a $15 trustee surcharge. Normally, the fees must be paid to the clerk of the court upon filing. If a joint petition is filed, only one filing fee, one administrative fee, and one trustee surcharge are charged. Debtors should be aware that failure to pay these fees may result in dismissal of the case.

In order to complete the Official Bankruptcy Forms that make up the petition, statement of financial affairs, and schedules, the debtor must provide the following information:

1. 1. A list of all creditors and the amount and nature of their claims;
2. 2. The source, amount, and frequency of the debtor´s income;
3. 3. A list of all of the debtor´s property; and
4. 4. A detailed list of the debtor´s monthly living expenses, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, transportation, medicine, etc.