A bankruptcy petition is a set of forms (also known as schedules) on which a debtor filing for bankruptcy discloses detailed financial information to the bankruptcy court. These forms will require you to list all of your assets (real property and personal property), your monthly income and expenses, and the debts you want to eliminate or discharge in bankruptcy. Your bankruptcy case begins when you file the bankruptcy petition with the clerk of the bankruptcy court.

In Tennessee, as in all states, a bankruptcy petition is the formal document filed by a debtor that initiates a bankruptcy case. This petition includes various forms, often referred to as schedules, which provide the bankruptcy court with detailed information about the debtor's financial situation. The debtor must list all assets, including both real and personal property, monthly income and expenses, and all debts that the debtor seeks to discharge. The filing of the bankruptcy petition officially starts the bankruptcy process. It's important for the debtor to accurately disclose all financial information, as failure to do so can lead to the dismissal of the bankruptcy case or other legal consequences. Debtors in Tennessee can file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, primarily, which have different requirements and outcomes. An attorney specializing in bankruptcy law can provide guidance specific to the debtor's circumstances and the applicable federal laws and local rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the districts of Tennessee.