Preparation is the key for success when filing bankruptcy in Florida. The best bankruptcy cases go unnoticed as debtors glide through the system without attracting attention to receive a full discharges in record time. Luck is not involved. Planning began months before filing.
The most successful filers know something that you don’t. Small lifestyle changes may alter means test income and expenses before filing. Well-planned strategic changes will have a dramatic effect on the results of the means test. With a few weeks or months to plan, creating $300 improvement on the bankruptcy means test calculation will save $18,000 in wasted Chapter 13 payments. Just as easily, many people avoid Chapter 13 altogether and may file Chapter 7 when understanding the test procedure. Timing is critical.
2010 Bankruptcy Strategies and the Means Test Explained
The Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District is comprised of four divisions serving 23 counties. The 2003 case volume, divided by chapter, was as follows:
| District | Total | Ch 7 | Ch 11 | Ch 12 | Ch 13 |
| Northern | 1,823 | 1,467 | 2 | 0 | 354 |
Jurisdiction / Coverage - The Pensacola Division covers the counties of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton County. The Panama City Division covers the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington County. The Tallahassee division covers the counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla County. The Gainesville Division covers the counties of Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Levy County.
The Northern District provides copies of records, local rules, schedules and official filing instructions. The instructions provided are general, and are not a substitutive for legal advice. For instance, the information provided does not adequately explain the benefits and burdens of each chapter for debtors or the long term effect of filing. The Code is specific: judges, clerks and personnel are prohibited from providing what may be construed as legal advice. This rule of law applies equally to debtors, creditors and parties in interest. With new laws looming on the horizon, now, more than ever before, qualified legal advice is a necessity before initiating any suit.
Contact Information: Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District.
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