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 Middle District maintains 5 divisional offices which serve 35 counties. More cases were filed in the Middle District during 2003 than the combined total case volume of the Northern and Southern Districts. The 2003 case volume for the Florida Bankruptcy Southern District was divided among the following chapters:
| Total | Ch 7 | Ch 11 | Ch 12 | Ch 13 |
| 55,004 | 39,443 | 241 | 5 | 15,315 |
Jurisdiction / Coverage - The Jacksonville Division serves the counties of Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Nassau, Duval, Union,, Bradford, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, Marion, Volusia, Citrus and Sumter County. The Tampa Division serves the counties of Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, and Sarasota County. The Orlando Division serves the counties of Lake, Orange, Seminole, and Osceola County. The Fort Meyers Division serves the counties of De Soto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier County. The Viera Division served Brevard County.
The Middle District provides examples of petitions, schedules, forms, local rules and official instructions that may be useful when filing. Be aware that instructions provided are general, and are not a substitutive for legal advice which may provided by a qualified attorney. The Code prohibits judges, clerks and personnel to provide debtors with information that may be construed as legal counsel. This provision applies equally to debtors, creditors, and parties in interest. Individual filing pro se may call trustees and inquire about case status. Trustee offices generally explain the basis of all objections filed.
To contact the court, see: Florida Bankruptcy court for the Middle District of Florida.
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