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380 S. 4th Street, Suite 102 Boise, ID 83702   Patrick Kershisnik, Attorney & Counselor

Idaho Bankruptcy Means Test for Bankruptcy Kershisnik Law (208) 472-2383

Idaho Bankruptcy Means Test—

What the Means Test Means to You 

As discussed on our  Bankruptcy  page, to qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you must meet an income "means" test.  If you fail to meet the means test, and you still want to file for bankruptcy your option as an individual is to file for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  Chapter 7 allows you to discharge your debt whereas Chapter 13 allows you to cure defaults, reamortize loans and set up affordable repayment plans.  

Your First Step

Before you can proceed with your Bankruptcy you must first determine if you are even subject to the means test.  In order to do this you must compare your last six month's of income to the  state's average income .  If your income, from all sources, is below the average, you automatically qualify for a Chapter 7 Banrkuptcy and do not need to take the means test.  If your income is above the state's average that does not mean you do not qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankrutpcy, but it does mean that you need to complete the test to determine if you qualify.

Considering Monthly Expenses

According to the means test you first must deduct your monthly expenses from your current monthly income.  This does not mean, however, that you get to take all of your monthly expenses into account.  There are specific recognized expenses that apply, such as standardized IRS deductions.  This is to prevent an individual who actually should take a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy from reducing their income to fit into Chapter 7 guidelines.

If after your qualifying monthly expenses you have $100 or less of "disposable income" you "pass" the means test and qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  If after your montly expenses you have more than $166.67 of extra money, you must take a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  So what happens if your left over income is in between $100-$167.67?  You can potentially qualify for a Chapter 7 IF your disposable monthly income multiplied by 60 is less than 25% of your nonpriority unsecured debts (this means things like credit card debt).

Income Threshold for Idaho

As of November 1, 2011 the Income Threshold for the means test for a family* in Idaho are as follows:

Idaho Single 2 Persons 3 Persons 4 Persons**

$39,120 $49,242  $52,077    $61,301

*  In general a family is defined as those members who are a part of your family and who live with you.  As a rule of thumb,   those people who you can deduct for tax purposes.

** For every additional family member add $7,500

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Do you qualify for bankruptcy?—Chapter 7—Chapter 13

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We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.

Kershisnik Law, 380 S. 4th Street, Suite 102 - Boise, Idaho 83702  - (208) 472-2383

Copyright 2010 Kershisnik Law, PLLC: Idaho Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. The information contained on this site is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for legal analysis or legal advice. You should not act or rely on information contained on this site without seeking appropriate professional advice. Neither this site nor your access or this site creates an attorney-client relationship between you and Kershisnik Law or any member of that firm. Be aware that electronic mail on the Internet is not secure and may not be confidential. This material may be considered "advertising material" under Idaho Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3. 

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.

Copyright 2010 Kershisnik Law, PLLC: Idaho Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. The information contained on this site is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for legal analysis or legal advice. You should not act or rely on information contained on this site without seeking appropriate professional advice. Neither this site nor your access or this site creates an attorney-client relationship between you and Kershisnik Law or any member of that firm. Be aware that electronic mail on the Internet is not secure and may not be confidential. This material may be considered "advertising material" under Idaho Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3.