Bankruptcy forms

As you may have already gathered there are two forms that need to be completed if you want to go bankrupt in the UK. These forms are known as:

• Form 6.27, debtor’s petition form
• Form 6.28, debtor’s statement of affairs

Each must be completed in the required format otherwise your bankruptcy petition will not be successful. If you are married and your partner is also going bankrupt then you will need to complete separate forms and pay separate fees.

When completing the bankruptcy forms it is important to be as accurate and open as possible. Remember, bankruptcy is a legal process and the last thing you want is to get in trouble for non disclosure. The sections below detail the contents of both forms.

Please note that if you require help with the bankruptcy forms then there is a bankruptcy adviser available through my helpline. Please go to the helpline page for more information.

Bankruptcy form 6.27

Bankruptcy form 6.27 is the debtor’s petition. You will be expected to complete the following information:

• Your name, place of residence and occupation
• The name of any business you run and whether you run that business alone or with others
• The nature and address of your business
• If you no longer run a business but you did during the period that you built up your debts then you will have to disclose that business also.
• The address or addresses that you resided at or carried on during that period.

The reason for this information is so that you can be fully identified.

As well as the above information bankruptcy form 6.27 will need to contain:

• A statement that you are unable to pay your debts
• A request that the bankruptcy order be made
• Particulars of any insolvency proceedings that have taken place in the last five years.
• If an IVA is in force then the name and address of your supervisor

As far as bankruptcy forms go, the debtor’s petition is by far the shorter of the two.

Bankruptcy form 6.28 (Statement of affairs)

Each of the bankruptcy forms needs to be completed accurately and bankruptcy form 6.28 is no exception. Known as a “statement of affairs”, it is this form that is used to:

• Determine whether you are able to petition for your bankruptcy
• Form the basis of the investigation into your affairs

The statement of affairs must be verified by affidavit and may be sworn before an officer of the court. This means that you are making a statement of the truth.

On the statement of affairs you must detail:

• Name and address of your secured creditors with amounts owed, value of assets, nature of security etc
• Name and address of your unsecured creditors
• Details of your assets, including joint assets
• Income and expenditure
• Details of dependants
• Details of any attempts to come to an agreement with your creditor’s and whether an IVA is likely to be acceptable.
• details of any assets transferred away recently

Once a bankruptcy order is made against you the Official Receiver will be sent a copy and it will form the basis of any investigation into your affairs.

When should you complete the bankruptcy forms?

Only complete the bankruptcy forms after you have sought advice, advice is a must. Remember, bankruptcy is a legal process and once your bankruptcy forms have been filed at court it may be too late to go back. Annulments can be very expensive!

If you have decided that bankruptcy is your best option then you should have two objectives upon seeking advice:

• Make sure that there will be no nasty surprises during your bankruptcy
• Remove the uncertainty for you and your family.

Before filing your bankruptcy forms some of the things you should establish include:

• Whether you have committed any bankruptcy offences
• Whether any previous transaction is going to be reversed
• Whether you will be considered blameworthy
• Whether your family or friends will be affected by your bankruptcy, they can be.
• What will happen to your assets & income during bankruptcy

If you need help with the bankruptcy forms then please use the helpline.

Where can I get the forms?

There is a bankruptcy form download link for 6.27 and 6.28 at the Insolvency Service website. From there you will be able to print them out. Please make sure that you seek advice before completing them and submitting to court.

Can you complete the bankruptcy forms online?

Yes, you can complete the forms online by visiting The Insolvency Service website.

However please let me stress that you should only do this after seeking professional help.

For information on what to do with your forms please go to the filing bankruptcy page.