To prepare a bankruptcy, you’ll need five core documents: your two most recent tax returns, seven months of paystubs, six months of bank statements, proof of identity (a driver’s license or passport), and proof of your Social Security number.
Some situations call for more — if you own a business, work for yourself, or were recently divorced, your attorney will ask for additional financial records. At Discount Lawyers, we tell you exactly what applies to you before you’re knee-deep in paperwork.
The paperwork is the part that scares people off — the sense that they’ll need a filing cabinet’s worth of documents before they can even ask a question. The truth is simpler. For most people, it comes down to five things you probably already have.
The five documents almost everyone needs
- Your two most recent tax returns — the filed federal returns
- Seven months of paystubs — or other proof of income
- Six months of bank statements — all of your accounts
- Proof of identity — a driver’s license or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number — your card, or a document that shows it
Why these specific documents?
Each one answers a question the court will ask. Your paystubs and bank statements establish your income for the “means test,” the calculation that helps determine which chapter you qualify for. Tax returns confirm the bigger picture. And the ID and Social Security number simply prove you are who you say you are — the court requires verified identity before a case can move forward. Nothing here is a trap; it’s the same information any lender would ask for, gathered in one place.
When you’ll need more
Some situations add a few documents. If you own a business or work for yourself, expect to provide profit-and-loss statements and business account records. If you were recently divorced, a decree or support order may matter. Own property, have a lawsuit, recently sold or gave away something of value? Each can add a document or two. This is exactly the kind of thing a bankruptcy attorney flags early, so nothing surprises you later.
What if I can’t find everything?
Start anyway. Tax transcripts come from the IRS, statements come from your bank, and paystubs come from your employer or payroll portal — and at Discount Lawyers we help clients chase down what’s missing all the time. A gap in your files is not a reason to put off the first conversation.
Being straight with you: gathering documents feels like the hardest part, but it’s the most routine. Don’t let a missing paystub or an old tax return keep you from calling. We’d rather help you assemble the file than watch you wait months over a form you could request in an afternoon.
How we help
At Discount Lawyers, a Las Vegas bankruptcy attorney will give you a clear checklist for your exact situation, review what you bring in, and handle the filing from there. We help clients across Nevada — Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and beyond — and a Reno bankruptcy lawyer on our team can do the same in the north, in English and Spanish.
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you reach out. That’s what we’re for.
Common questions
What documents do I need to file bankruptcy in Nevada?
Most people need five: your two most recent tax returns, seven months of paystubs, six months of bank statements, a government photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport, and proof of your Social Security number. Your attorney may request more based on your situation.
What if I’m self-employed or own a business?
You’ll likely need additional financial records — things like profit-and-loss statements, business bank statements, and more detailed income documentation. A bankruptcy attorney will tell you exactly what your case requires.
What if I can’t find all my documents?
Don’t let that stop you from starting. Much of it can be requested from the IRS, your bank, or your employer, and your attorney can help you track down what’s missing.