Bankruptcy Means Test Worksheet
Review-ready Chapter 7 and 13 analysis with official-source inputs
Builds a review-ready means test worksheet using current official figures or the values you provide, then compares Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 scenarios with an assumptions log.
INGREDIENTS
PROMPT
Create a skill called "Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator" for a bankruptcy lawyer. When I upload a clientโs pay stubs and recent tax return, and provide household size and county, build a review-ready means test worksheet. Use current official DOJ/USTP and IRS figures when available, or use the figures I supply. Calculate current monthly income, compare it to the applicable median-income threshold, and if needed prepare a draft above-median means test worksheet showing the deductions used and the assumptions behind them. Also prepare a draft Chapter 13 disposable-income worksheet and a short Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 scenario comparison. Flag anything that may depend on local practice, special circumstances, or further client follow-up. Present the result as a worksheet for review, not as a final filed form.
How It Works
The means test depends on changing official numbers and fact-sensitive
deductions. This skill assembles the worksheet, shows the inputs it used,
and gives you a draft analysis to review โ not a blind answer to file.
What You Get
- Income extraction from pay stubs and tax returns using the six-month lookback
- Official-source median-income and IRS-standard inputs, or the figures you supply
- Draft Chapter 7 means test worksheet with assumptions shown
- Draft Chapter 13 disposable-income worksheet for comparison
- A side-by-side Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 scenario summary
- Special-circumstances issue spotting for follow-up review
- A clean data sheet you can transfer into official forms
Setup Steps
- Upload the pay stubs and tax return
- Provide household size, county, and any unusual expense facts
- Review the worksheet, assumptions, and scenario comparison
- Transfer the results into the official forms after review
Tips
- Official thresholds change, so keep the source date with the worksheet
- Overtime, bonuses, and one-time income can distort the lookback period
- Use the special-circumstances list as an interview guide, not as a final conclusion
- Treat the output as attorney workpaper support, not a final filing