How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Tennessee Without a Lawyer

Collect Your Tennessee Bankruptcy Documents

Before you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case in Tennessee, it’s a good idea to gather some important documents. These will help you complete the bankruptcy forms, which ask for detailed information about your income, debts, property, and financial history.

Here are the most common documents people use when filing Chapter 7:

Must-have documents:

• Tax returns from the last two years

• Paycheck stubs (or proof of income) from the last 60 days

• A recent bank statement

Helpful reference documents:

These aren’t always required, but they can make it much easier to fill out your paperwork accurately:

• Bank statements from the past 6–12 months

• Bills, debt collection letters, and creditor statements

• A recent credit report (you can request one free report each year from each of the three major credit bureaus via annualcreditreport.com)

Helpful Tips for Organizing Your Financial Info

Your credit report can help you figure out all your debts and creditors, especially if you’ve lost track of who you owe. Compare it to any bills or letters you’ve received to make sure nothing gets left out. Look for mail regarding credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and student loans.

If you have a mortgage or car loan, gather your loan documents and vehicle titles. If you’re paying or receiving child support or alimony, it’s helpful to have a copy of your court order. If you have a retirement account or pension, gather that documentation, too.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

Before you can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, you’ll need to take a credit counseling course. This is required by law. The goal is to make sure you understand all your options for managing your debt before moving forward with bankruptcy.

You must take the course within 180 days before filing your case. It also has to be from a provider that’s been approved by the Department of Justice. You can usually take the course online or over the phone. Some providers also offer in-person classes.

Course Length, Certificate, and Cost

The course usually takes about 60–90 minutes. When you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion. You’ll need to file that certificate with your other bankruptcy forms.

💸 There’s a small fee for the course, but if you can’t afford it, you can ask for the fee to be waived or reduced. Some providers offer a bundle deal that includes this course and the second course you’ll take after you file. The second course is called a debtor education course.

There’s a cost for the course, but if you can’t afford it, you can ask for a fee waiver or reduction. Some providers offer a package deal that includes this course and the second required course you’ll take after filing. 

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Tennessee involves filling out a lot of paperwork — more than 20 forms in total. That might sound overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

These forms come from the federal court system, so they’re the same no matter where you live. If you decide to handle the paperwork yourself, you can download the fillable forms from USCOURTS.gov. 

Depending on where you live in Tennessee and the details of your case, you might also need to complete some local forms. We’ll walk you through those later on.

👉 If you’re using Upsolve’s free online tool, you’ll answer a guided questionnaire designed to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Based on your answers, our software will generate all the forms you need. You’ll get a complete PDF that’s ready to print and file.

If you’re working with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll usually take care of preparing the forms for you. You’ll likely start by filling out a questionnaire so they can gather the info they need.

Get Your Filing Fee

Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case in Tennessee costs $338. If you can’t afford to pay this all at once, you can apply for a fee waiver or request a payment plan. Here’s more about each option:

Apply for a Fee Waiver

You may be able to have the fee waived if:

• Your household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and

• You can’t afford to pay the fee in installments.

Check the Tennessee Fee Waiver Eligibility Table below to see if your income qualifies. If you’re eligible, you can submit a fee waiver request when you file your case.

Request a Payment Plan

If you don’t qualify for a waiver but still can’t pay the full amount upfront, you can ask the court to let you pay the fee in up to four installments.

Most people are approved for this option. If you’re approved, you’ll need to pay at least $85 as your first installment when you file.

This can be a good option if you’re facing urgent collection actions like foreclosure or wage garnishment, since filing your case gives you immediate protection through the automatic stay. That means most collection efforts must stop while your case moves forward.

⚠️ A note of caution: If you don’t have an emergency and can afford to wait, it’s often safer to save up and pay the full fee when you file. If your installment plan is approved but you miss a payment, the court may dismiss your case, and your creditors could restart collection actions.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Courts have strict rules about how documents must be printed. To file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case in Tennessee, follow these guidelines when printing your forms:

• Use white, standard letter-size paper (8½” x 11”)

• Print in black ink only

• Use a font that’s at least 10-point size

• Print on one side of each page only

There are a lot of bankruptcy forms, so be sure to double-check your printer settings before you start. If you don’t have a printer at home, try a public library, office supply store, or UPS store.

Once everything is printed, don’t staple the pages together. You can use a paper clip or binder clip if needed.

Review and Sign Your Forms

After printing, go through your forms carefully:

• Make sure every section is filled out.

• If something doesn’t apply to you, write “none” or “not applicable” in the blank.

• Sign anywhere a signature is required. Some Tennessee courts (like the Eastern and Middle Districts) also ask you to include your address, phone number, and email under each signature.

Many filers use blue ink so it’s easy to tell the original from a copy.

Before you file, make a full copy of everything for your records. You might need to refer back to these documents later in the bankruptcy process.

💡 If you’re using Upsolve’s free filing tool, your forms will be prepared in a single PDF, with signature pages clearly marked. If you're working with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll handle printing and formatting for you.

File Your Forms with the Tennessee Bankruptcy Court

If you’re filing without a lawyer (also called filing pro se), you’ll need to file your paperwork in person or by mail. You can’t file your case electronically in Tennessee unless you’re a lawyer.

You can call the court clerk to ask if someone else is allowed to drop off your forms. That said, many people choose to go in person. That way, if something’s missing like a signature you can fix it on the spot.

If you’re filing in person, bring:

• Your full set of completed bankruptcy forms

• A list of all your creditors (creditor matrix)

• Your filing fee, or a request to pay in installments or have the fee waived

If anything is missing, the court might not accept your case.

Once the court stamps your paperwork with the filing date and time, the automatic stay kicks in. This stops most creditors from calling, collecting, or suing you while your case is active.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After you file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, the court will assign a trustee to review your paperwork and manage your case. 

💡You’ll find your trustee’s name and contact information on the official notice of bankruptcy the court sends you. This notice will also include the date and time of your 341 meeting (also called the meeting of creditors). It usually arrives about two weeks before the meeting.

What Documents Will the Trustee Ask For?

Your trustee will ask for copies of some of your financial documents. At a minimum, you must send them the following at least seven days before your 341 meeting:

• A bank statement that includes the date you filed your case

• Your two most recent federal income tax returns

In most cases, the trustee will send you a letter listing exactly what they need. They may also ask for documents like:

• Pay stubs (or a Statement of Payment Advices if you don’t have pay stubs)

• Proof of expenses

• Proof of investment accounts

• Deeds for any real estate you own

• Mortgage statements

• Car titles

• Proof of insurance

• Divorce decrees or child support orders

If you don’t send the documents your trustee asks for, your case could be dismissed, and your debts won’t be erased through bankruptcy.

Take a Debtor Education Course

Before your bankruptcy case can be finished and your debts wiped out, you need to take a second course called debtor education. This course focuses on financial management skills, like budgeting and using credit wisely.

Just like the first credit counseling course, this one is short — usually one to two hours — and can often be done online or over the phone. Many people find it helpful to take the course soon after filing their case so they don’t forget about it later.

You must complete the course no later than 60 days after your 341 meeting. When you’re done, you’ll get a certificate of completion, which you need to file with the court. If you don’t file it on time, the court may close your case without giving you a discharge. That means your debts wouldn’t be erased.

Some course providers will file the certificate for you. Others will give it to you to file yourself. Once the certificate is filed, you’re one step closer to a fresh start!

Attend Your 341 Meeting

After you file your bankruptcy case, you’ll need to attend a short court-required meeting called the 341 meeting. This is also known as the meeting of creditors, though creditors rarely attend. The meeting gives the bankruptcy trustee a chance to ask you questions about your finances and make sure your paperwork is accurate.

The meeting is required by federal law and is named after Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code. Even though it might sound intimidating, most people find it’s quick and straightforward.

When Is the Meeting of Creditors?

Your 341 meeting will be scheduled 20–40 days after you file your bankruptcy petition. You’ll get a notice in the mail within 15 days of filing, or by email if you chose to receive electronic notices. 

If you don’t receive the notice within that time, it’s a good idea to contact the court clerk to check on the date and time.

What To Expect at the 341 Meeting (Meeting of Creditors)

On the day of your meeting, bring:

• A government-issued photo ID (like your driver’s license)

• Proof of your Social Security number (such as your Social Security card or a document that shows the full number)

You’ll be placed under oath and asked questions about your finances. These questions are based on the forms you filed, so it helps to review them before your meeting. The trustee is just trying to confirm that everything is accurate and complete. If you don’t have assets that creditors can collect, it's unlikely any creditors will show up.

Try to answer each question honestly and briefly. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” if you’re unsure. Just don’t guess.

📹 Feeling nervous is normal, but knowing what to expect can help. This short 341 meeting preparation video covers the questions you’re likely to be asked. 

Deal With Your Car

Many people filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Tennessee worry about what will happen to their car. The good news is, most people are able to keep their car. You have options, but they may vary, depending on your situation.

• If you’re still paying on a car loan and your payments are current: You can likely keep the car by signing a reaffirmation agreement with your lender. This is a new contract where you agree to keep making payments after bankruptcy. Just know that if you miss payments later, the lender can still repossess the car.

• If you owe more than the car is worth, you might be able to use a process called redemption. This lets you buy the car for its current value in one lump sum. Once you pay that amount, the rest of the loan is wiped out and you own the car outright.

• If you're behind on payments or the loan doesn’t make sense anymore, you can return the car to the lender through voluntary surrender. This can help if the payments are too high, the car isn’t reliable, or it’s worth less than what you owe. Any remaining balance on the loan will be discharged in your bankruptcy. Some people choose this option even if they’re not behind.

• If you own your car, you may be able to protect it using a bankruptcy exemption. In Tennessee, you can protect up to $10,000 in personal property, including your car. We talk more about exemptions later in this guide.

• If you’re leasing a car, you can either keep the lease (if you’re current on payments) or return the car and discharge the remaining lease amount. This can be a smart choice if the car has high mileage, damage, or the lease just isn’t affordable anymore.