By the Softotech bankruptcy support team, drawing on 10+ years supporting US attorneys and almost 300 bankruptcy projects. Updated October 25, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Preparation can be outsourced. Strategy, advice, review and signature stay with the attorney.
- The cleaner the document package, the faster and cheaper the case.
- Ask for an editable Best Case file (.bkp), a PDF and written attorney notes, not a PDF alone.
- Review outsourced work against the source documents before you sign.
- Flat per-case pricing is easy to budget. Compare what each price includes.
What does it mean to outsource bankruptcy petition preparation?
Preparing a consumer case is mostly careful assembly. Someone has to read the pay stubs, tax returns and statements, enter the debtor’s details, build the schedules, work out the means test and answer the Statement of Financial Affairs. Outsourcing hands that assembly to an outside paralegal while the attorney keeps the legal work.
In a typical Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case, the preparer completes the voluntary petition (Form 101), Schedules A/B through J, the means test (Forms 122A-1 and 122A-2 for Chapter 7, or 122C-1 and 122C-2 for Chapter 13) and the Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107).
| Outsource | Keep as the attorney |
|---|---|
| Reading documents and entering the debtor’s details | Case strategy and choice of chapter |
| Schedules, income and expense forms, SOFA | Exemption decisions and client advice |
| Means test calculations and income averaging | Reviewing every form before signing |
| A list of missing items and points to verify | Signing and filing with the court |
What documents should you send?
Most delays come from missing documents, not from the preparation itself. A complete package for a typical consumer case looks like this:
| Area | What to send | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Pay stubs for the last 60 days, W-2s and 1040s for the last 2 years, profit and loss statements if self-employed | Schedule I, means test and SOFA income |
| Assets | Bank statements, vehicle details, property records, retirement account statements | Schedules A/B and C |
| Debts | Credit report, creditor list, mortgage and loan statements, leases | Schedules D, E/F, G and H |
| History | Prior filings, lawsuits, garnishments, repossessions, recent transfers or gifts | Petition and SOFA |
| Your instructions | District, chapter, exemptions you plan to claim, any special facts | Keeps the file consistent with your strategy |
A short cover note helps. Tell the preparer the filing district, the target filing date and anything unusual, such as a second employer or a recent move.
What should you get back?
Ask for more than a PDF. A Best Case file (.bkp) opens in your own account, so you can edit any schedule before filing. A good delivery has three parts:
| Deliverable | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Best Case file (.bkp) | Editable file you review, correct and file from |
| PDF package | Quick read of the full petition without opening the software |
| Attorney notes | Flagged items, missing documents and points to verify, in one list |
The notes are what make your review fast. They show where the preparer made an assumption or found a mismatch, so you do not have to hunt for it.
How do you review outsourced work in 20 minutes?
Review outsourced work the way you would review a new associate’s draft. Work through the same short list on every case:
- Check names, district, chapter and filing type on the petition, and the Form 121 Social Security Number statement.
- Compare Schedule I income with the pay stubs and confirm the means test uses the right six-month window.
- Compare SOFA income with the W-2s and year-end pay stub, and read the notes on any difference.
- Check Schedule D and E/F against the credit report and creditor list.
- Confirm Schedule C exemptions match your instructions for the state of filing.
- Read the attorney notes and resolve every flagged item before you sign.
How do you keep client data secure?
Client financial records are sensitive. Agree on the method before the first case, not during it.
- Use a secure file-sharing link, not email attachments or a public web form.
- Send only what is needed for the case.
- Put confidentiality terms in writing before documents change hands.
- Ask when files are deleted after delivery.
At Softotech, we ask attorneys not to upload client documents through our contact form. Once we agree to work together, we send a secure link.
How much does outsourced preparation cost?
Flat per-case fees are easier to budget than hourly work or a monthly salary. Our current prices are listed on the pricing section of our bankruptcy paralegal page.
| Case type | Price |
|---|---|
| Chapter 7, single debtor | $200 |
| Chapter 7, joint debtors | $225 |
| Chapter 13, single debtor (no plan) | $250 |
| Chapter 13, joint debtors (no plan) | $275 |
| Complex or multi-employer cases | From $300 |
Standard cases are delivered within 24 hours. Rush delivery under 12 hours adds $50 to $75.
What are the risks and how do you reduce them?
The main risks are incomplete documents, errors the attorney does not catch, and unclear supervision. Reduce them with a standard intake package, a fixed review list and a clear written scope. Rules on using non-lawyer assistants differ by jurisdiction, so read our guide on the difference between a paralegal and a petition preparer and check your own local rules.
Quick-start checklist before your first case
- Agree on a secure way to share files.
- Write down the forms and deliverables you expect (.bkp, PDF, attorney notes).
- Prepare a standard intake package for your clients.
- Send one simple case first and compare the result with your own work.
- Check your jurisdiction’s rules on supervising outside help.
Related: Chapter 7 means test documents and the SOFA checklist.
We prepare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in Best Case from your documents, with attorney notes, for a flat fee per case from $200.
See bankruptcy paralegal support for attorneysFrequently asked questions
Can an attorney outsource bankruptcy petition preparation?
Many attorneys do. The attorney stays responsible for the filing, so you should supervise the work and review it before signing. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so check your local rules and state bar guidance.
What does outsourced bankruptcy preparation include?
Typically the voluntary petition, schedules, income and expense forms, the means test and the Statement of Financial Affairs, delivered as an editable Best Case file, a PDF and attorney notes.
How long does outsourced preparation take?
It depends on how complete the documents are. A clean package is much faster than one with gaps. At Softotech, standard cases are delivered within 24 hours.
Should I ask for a .bkp file or only PDFs?
Ask for the Best Case .bkp file. It lets you edit and file from your own account. The PDF is only for reading.
Is it safe to send client documents to an outside paralegal?
It can be, if you use a secure file-sharing link, share only what is needed, and agree on confidentiality and deletion terms in writing before you send anything.
This article is general information for attorneys and legal staff. It is not legal advice. Forms, rules and thresholds change, so always check the current official forms and your local rules.
Related guides
- Chapter 7 Means Test Documents: What to Collect First
- Bankruptcy Petition Preparer vs Paralegal: What to Know
- Statement of Financial Affairs Checklist (Form 107)