Preparing Chapter 11 Petition & Schedules: What Documents Your Attorney Will Need
- Melissa A. Youngman
- Oct 28
- 4 min read
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin
Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL
Filing for Chapter 11 can give a business the breathing room it needs to reorganize debt and stabilize operations. But before a case even begins, the success of the filing depends on one thing: preparation.
Many business owners underestimate the amount of information required to file a complete Chapter 11 petition and schedules, or how quickly that information must be gathered prior to filing the case. Missing key documents can delay your case, draw unwanted attention from the Office of the U.S. Trustee, and complicate your first meeting of creditors with the U.S. Trustee.
If you’re considering a Florida bankruptcy filing, this guide highlights what documents business owners need to provide to their bankruptcy attorney to make sure their bankruptcy petition and schedules are complete and accurate before filing the case.
What the Court and Trustee Expect Up Front
In Florida’s Middle District, the U.S. Trustee requires debtors to provide a detailed set of financial and operational documents before the Initial Debtor Interview (IDI), which occurs a week or two after filing, and the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, which occurs about 30 days after filing. The Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, is critical to the early stages of your business's Chapter 11 case and sets the tone for the case going forward.
Here’s a look at the most common reorganization paperwork bankruptcy attorneys typically collect prior to filing to prepare your company's Chapter 11 petition and schedules.
1. Financial Statements and Tax Returns
At Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs, we ask Chapter 11 clients to provide the last two to four years of business tax returns, (depending on case specifics), including all attachments, along with:
Profit and loss statements for the past year
Balance sheets (cash-basis preferred)
Recent audited or unaudited financial statements
A proposed budget of expenses which will enable us to create a six-month projected cash budget for ongoing operations post-petition (filing) based on historical figures
These financial records allow your attorney to prepare accurate schedules of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses, as well as the budget required to obtain court permission to use cash collateral to continue operations, a motion typically filed on or near the first day of the bankruptcy filing. All of these items contain key information businesses are require to disclose in their Chapter 11 petition and schedules.
2. Bank Accounts and Cash Flow Documentation
For every business account, open or closed, your Chapter 11 attorney will need to see:
at least 12 months of bank statements (all pages, front and back)
Copies of all canceled checks referenced in those statements going back at least 90 days
These documents are used to verify cash flow, identify secured and unsecured debt, and ensure the accuracy of your bankruptcy schedules.
3. Debt and Credit Documentation
Your attorney will also request:
Promissory notes and Security Agreements/Mortgages for bank loans, lines of credit, and non-bank loans
The most recent statements for each loan, credit line, or credit card
Copies of unexpired leases or contracts, including monthly statements
Any collection letters or correspondence from creditors
Business owners frequently forget to include closed credit accounts or older debts, but the Chapter 11 rules set forth in the Bankruptcy Code require that all debt obligations be disclosed, whether active or dormant.
4. Lawsuits and Judgments
If your business has been involved in litigation, you will need to provide documentation o same to your bankruptcy attorney, including:
A copy of each complaint or statement of claim (with exhibits)
Unsatisfied judgments in any county, even if unrelated to the bankruptcy venue
These records give all parties a clear picture of pending claims against your business and help your attorneys to formulate the best plan of action for your case.
5. Insurance Policies and Property Information
One of the responsibilities of a Chapter 11 debtor in possession is to keep insurance in place during the case. Accordingly, you will need to provide the following to your bankruptcy attorney prior to filing the case:
Insurance declaration pages for all policies (showing coverage limits, type, and carrier)
Vehicle titles, registrations, and insurance cards
Real estate deeds, mortgages, and recent property tax statements
If leasing space: current rental or lease agreements
Proper documentation proves that assets are insured and that the business is operating lawfully while under Chapter 11 protection.
6. Accounts Receivable and Payable Reports
Chapter 11 debtors are required to disclose information about all assets and liabilities in their schedules, including accounts receivable and payable. You will need to provide the following to your bankruptcy attorney before filing your case:
A detailed list of accounts receivable and aging report
A detailed list of accounts payable and aging report
A payroll report showing employee wages and withholdings
These reports help the trustee and court understand the company’s short-term liquidity and identify potential recoveries for creditors.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Trustee’s Office reviews every filing for accuracy and completeness. Missing financials or incomplete reorganization paperwork can:
Delay confirmation hearings
Increase attorney fees
Trigger additional document requests or hearings
Result in motions to dismiss or convert to Chapter 7 liquidation by the Office of the U.S. Trustee or other creditors and parties in interest
In other words, being thorough now saves time and money later.
How to Stay Ahead
At Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs, we provide clients with a Chapter 11 checklist based on the exact requirements of the U.S. Trustee in the Middle District of Florida. We also coordinate document production, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks before your Florida bankruptcy filing.
We know what the Court and the Office of the U.S. Trustee expect, and we make sure you’re ready before your case is filed.
📥 Download Our Chapter 11 Readiness Checklist
Get our step-by-step list of documents you’ll need to prepare for a Chapter 11 filing. Download the Checklist (PDF).
Contact our office for a free online phone/online consultation by calling 📞 (407) 765-3427 or use the "book now" button below.
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