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Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Step by Step Guide

Produced by Attorney Mariah Jennings Rampsi for MassLegalHelp
Reviewed November 2019

COVID-19 Emergency Filings

During business hours:

Eastern Division cases- Clerk's office at 617-748- 5300 and press (0).

Central Division cases- Clerk's office in Worcester at 508-770-8900.

Western Division cases- Clerk's office in Springfield at 413-785-6900. 

Non-business hours:

Call the Clerk’s Office 617-748-5317 if you need to file an emergency case,

  • before 8:30 AM or after 4:30 PM on court days, or
  • On a weekend or holiday.

Bankruptcy is a serious decision.

Make sure you need to file for bankruptcy.

Read Bankruptcy. You might decide:

  • not to file, or
  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy may not be the type of bankruptcy for you.

Or you can read the script of this video.

To file for bankruptcy you have to fill out a lot of forms.  You also need to collect a lot of your own papers so you can fill out the forms.  The section “Gather Your Documents” lists all the documents and information you need to fill out the forms.

Filing without a lawyer

  • Bankruptcy is complicated. Filing without a lawyer is risky.
  • You can lose property and money. You can go to jail if you do not tell the truth.

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