Check whether your household income falls under California's median for your household size — the first screening step for Chapter 7 bankruptcy eligibility.
The federal "means test" (11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(7)) is the first eligibility screen for filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It compares your household's average gross income over the last 6 full calendar months, annualized, against the U.S. Trustee Program's published median family income for your state and household size.
If your income falls at or below the median, you presumptively qualify for Chapter 7 without needing to complete the longer, expense-based portion of the means test. If your income is above the median, it doesn't disqualify you — it just means the fuller means test (Form 122A-2), which subtracts allowed living expenses and debt payments, needs to be completed to see if you still qualify.
Passing the median-income screen creates a presumption that Chapter 7 is appropriate, but the bankruptcy trustee can still review your case for other issues. It's the most common hurdle, though — most filers who pass it do proceed with Chapter 7.
You may still qualify for Chapter 7 after completing the full means test, which allows deductions for IRS-standard living expenses, secured debt payments (like a mortgage or car loan), and certain priority debts. Many above-median filers still pass after these deductions. If not, Chapter 13 remains available.
Current Monthly Income (CMI) under 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A) includes most regular income sources for all household members over the 6 full calendar months before filing — wages, self-employment income, and most other regular payments. Certain benefits, like Social Security, are excluded.
Yes. As a Legal Document Assistant service, we prepare Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions — including the means test forms — at a flat fee of $200, with Express 48-hour filing available. We prepare documents based on the information you provide; we don't give legal advice on which chapter to file.
We prepare Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions for a flat $200 fee, with Express 48-hour filing available. Our Legal Document Assistants handle the paperwork — you focus on your fresh start.
See Bankruptcy Document Preparation →Los Angeles Paralegals is a document preparation service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal counsel of any kind. All documents are prepared based on information you provide. We strongly recommend consulting a licensed California attorney for advice specific to your circumstances.