The second requirement you must meet before filing bankruptcy is to take the so-called means test. This means test is key in determining whether you need to file chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy. The means test examines your income level against a state-determined median, and determines the amount of disposable income you have which may or may not be sufficient, when filing bankruptcy, to support the repayment plan included in a chapter 13 bankruptcy. Because the median income differs from state to state, the income level associated with a chapter 13 bankruptcy also differs from state to state. A third requirement you must meet before filing chapter 13 bankruptcy is that you avow all documentation and information submitted to the court is well grounded in fact, and warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the modification of the existing law. If you are filing chapter 13 bankruptcy this means that you declare to know and understand the chapter 13 bankruptcy laws that apply when filing bankruptcy. If you claim ignorance of the chapter 13 bankruptcy laws at any point during your chapter 13 bankruptcy filing, it will not count as an excuse. Due to this pre-required knowledge of chapter 13 bankruptcy law, it is always in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer before filing bankruptcy.