• Filing bankruptcy in Maryland requires the completion of several important steps before a court hearing occurs. These include a thorough and honest accounting of your finances and a full disclosure of your debts, including the duration of any delinquencies. Each step must be completed carefully and completely to ensure that your bankruptcy case is looked on favorably by the court.
  
  

Determine Income and Property

• Determining whether your income falls below the Maryland median income level is ultimately what could be the determining factor in you being granted Chapter 7 bankruptcy or not. Factors in determining this number can include income from employment or other sources such as investments and real property. If your income is too high, you may not be able to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will instead be forced to file for one of the debt restructuring bankruptcies: Chapter 11 or 13.
  
  

Financial Counseling

• Financial counseling by a financial professional approved by the U.S. Trustee's Office is required for everyone filing bankruptcy in the U.S. Through counseling, you'll learn better strategies to manage your finances and avoid the paths that led to your debt troubles. Upon completion of the course, you earn a certificate from the U.S. Trustee's Office that must be turned into the court as part of your bankruptcy proceedings. According to the United States Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland, you must complete credit counseling within 180 days of filing for bankruptcy.
  
  

Paperwork and Filing Fees

• You must complete extensive paperwork as part of the Maryland bankruptcy process. More than 20 separate bankruptcy forms must be submitted, in addition to any forms the federal government requires. An error or omission on any form may result in your bankruptcy being denied. To increase your odds of success, retain a Maryland licensed bankruptcy attorney to help you navigate the maze of paperwork. If you are filing Chapter 11 or 13 bankruptcy, your debt repayment or restructuring plan must also be submitted. All bankruptcy filing fees must be paid to the court at the time of filing.
  
  

The Hearing of the Creditors

• Also called the 341 Hearing, the meeting of the creditors occurs in the first 60 days after your bankruptcy has been approved. You are required to attend this hearing as part of your bankruptcy proceedings---your bankruptcy can be overturned if you do not. Your only obligation at this hearing is to answer the questions of your court-approved bankruptcy trustee truthfully. These questions will concern the state of your financial affairs and the information you provided in your bankruptcy filing forms.