How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Nebraska

Collect Your Nebraska Bankruptcy Documents

Filing Chapter 7 on your own takes some preparation, and collecting the right documents early can make the rest of the process much smoother.

You’ll need certain documents to file your forms and others to send to your bankruptcy trustee (a person who reviews your case) after you file. Start by gathering these required items:

• Pay stubs or other proof of income from the past six months

• Your two most recent federal tax returns

• A bank statement that includes the date you plan to file your case

It can also help to collect a few extra documents while you’re getting organized. These aren’t required, but they’ll make it easier to fill out your forms:

• Bank statements from the last 6–12 months

• Credit card and loan statements

• Letters or notices from debt collectors

• A recent credit report

📃 You can get a free credit report every week from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. This report lists your debts, account balances, and creditor contact information — all of which you’ll need when completing your forms.

🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, your credit report will be pulled for you automatically as part of the process.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

Before you can file your Chapter 7 case, you’ll need to complete a credit counseling course. This is a short class that helps you review your finances and explore your options for handling debt.

How it works:

• The course must be completed within 180 days before you file.

• It usually takes 1–2 hours to finish.

• You can take it online, by phone, or sometimes in person.

• It costs $10–$50, but you may qualify for a fee waiver.

• You must take the course from a court-approved provider.

📄 After you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion. You’ll need to file this certificate with the court along with your bankruptcy forms. If you don’t, your case could be dismissed, and you’d have to start over.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

To file your Chapter 7 case, you’ll need to fill out a set of official bankruptcy forms. These are federal forms, which means they’re the same no matter where you live. 

💻 You can download them for free as fillable PDFs from USCourts.gov. But it may be easier to download the Chapter 7 individual filing packet from the Nebraska Bankruptcy Court. It has all the required federal forms, plus information specific to Nebraska filers, all in one place.

✨ If you qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool, the process is even easier. You’ll answer simple questions online, and the tool fills out your forms based on your answers.

If you hire a lawyer, they’ll usually have you complete a questionnaire. Then, they’ll prepare and submit the forms for you.

Get Your Filing Fee

It costs $338 to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, but many people qualify for a fee waiver.

If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, you can ask the court to waive the fee.  If you’re using Upsolve’s filing tool, it will prepare the waiver form for you, and you can file it with the rest of your paperwork.

⏳If you don’t qualify for a waiver but can’t afford to pay the full amount up front, you can apply to pay the fee in installments. Many people choose this option when they need to file quickly to stop a wage garnishment or other collection action. Filing your case puts the automatic stay in place right away, which pauses most collection efforts.

⚠️ If you pay in installments, it’s important not to miss a payment. If you fall behind, the court may dismiss your case.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

If you’re filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your own in Nebraska, you’ll need to print your forms and either mail them or bring them to the courthouse in person. Using a checklist can help you stay organized.

🖨️ Follow these printing best practices:

• Use standard 8.5" x 11" white letter-size paper.

• Print in black ink.

• Print single-sided only.

• Don’t staple, hole-punch, or bind your forms in any way.

✍️ You’ll also need to sign every signature page. These can be easy to miss, so double-check each section as you go. 

✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s filing tool, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need. Each signature page is clearly marked, so it’s easy to see where to sign.

If you hire a lawyer, they’ll usually submit your forms electronically on your behalf.

File Your Forms With the Nebraska Bankruptcy Court

In Nebraska, you can file your Chapter 7 forms by mail or in person, but not online. The court doesn’t allow electronic filing if you’re filing without a lawyer.

✅ Many filers choose to bring their forms to the courthouse in person. This can be the fastest and most reliable option. If something’s missing or needs to be fixed, the clerk can let you know right away. You also won’t have to worry about delivery issues.

✉️ If you decide to mail in your forms instead, be sure to include everything the court needs and keep a copy for yourself. You can find the correct court address and filing instructions on the Nebraska Bankruptcy Court’s website.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After you file your case, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee — a neutral person who helps oversee your case. Their job is to double-check your paperwork and make sure everything looks right. They also handle any issues related to your property, though in most Chapter 7 cases, you won’t lose anything.

A few days after you file, you’ll get an official court notice with your trustee’s name and contact info. Most trustees ask you to send a few documents before your 341 meeting, which is a brief check-in to go over your case. Documents include:

• Your two most recent federal tax returns

• A bank statement for any accounts you had open on your filing date

• A clear copy of your photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)

• Proof of your Social Security number (like your Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub)

• Proof of current income, like a recent pay stub

📅 Try to mail these at least 14 days before your 341 meeting. If you’re missing something, you can include a short note explaining why it’s unavailable.

Some trustees may ask for additional paperwork, such as mortgage documents or car titles. If that happens, it’s best to send the requested items quickly to keep your case moving forward.

Take a Debtor Education Course

Before your debts can be wiped out, you’ll need to take a second required course. This is called a debtor education or personal financial management course. This class helps you prepare for a fresh start by covering topics like budgeting, saving, and using credit wisely.

🧠 Here’s what to know:

• You must take the course within 60 days of your 341 meeting.

• It must be taken through a court-approved provider.

• The course can be completed online, over the phone, or sometimes in person.

• After you complete the course, you’ll need to file your certificate with the court.

This course is the final step before you can receive your discharge. That’s the court order that officially erases your qualifying debts.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after you file your case, you’ll attend a short appointment called a 341 meeting or meeting of creditors. This is a standard part of every bankruptcy case. It gives your trustee a chance to confirm your identity and ask questions about your forms.

Even though it’s called a meeting of creditors, creditors rarely show up. Most meetings are quick — usually 10 minutes or less. Almost all 341 meetings now take place over Zoom videoconference.

🪪 At the meeting, you’ll need:

• A valid photo ID (like a driver’s license or state ID)

• Proof of your Social Security number (like your Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub)

During the meeting, the trustee will ask you a few simple questions to confirm everything in your paperwork is accurate and complete. It’s normal to feel nervous, but just answer the questions honestly, and it will be over before you know it.

Once your 341 meeting is done, you’ll be one step closer to having your debts wiped out. 🎉

Deal With Your Car

Many people worry that filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy means they’ll lose their car, but that’s not always the case. In fact, many filers are able to keep their vehicles.

🚗 If you own your car outright, you can usually keep it as long as it’s protected by a bankruptcy exemption. Exemptions are laws that protect certain property during bankruptcy. 

Nebraska lets you protect up to $5,000 of equity in one vehicle. You may also be able to use Nebraska’s $5,000 wildcard exemption to protect any extra value.

🚘 If you’re still paying off a car loan, your options depend on how much equity you have and whether you’re current on payments. 

💡 Equity is the difference between your car’s value and what you still owe on the loan. If your equity fits within Nebraska’s exemption limits, you may be able to:

• Keep the car and keep paying: If you’re current on your loan and your equity is protected, you can keep the car by continuing your payments. You may need to sign a reaffirmation agreement to do this.

• Redeem the car: If your car is worth less than what you owe, you may be able to redeem it by paying its current value in one lump sum.

• Surrender the car: If your loan is too expensive or you’re behind on payments, you can give the car back and wipe out the remaining balance through your bankruptcy.

🚙 If you’re leasing a car, you may be able to keep the lease by continuing your payments or return the car without penalty. Here’s how leases work in bankruptcy.