Bankruptcy Means Test
Enter your household size and monthly income to instantly check whether you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy under current Massachusetts median income limits.
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📅 2025 income limits
Based on official U.S. Trustee Program median income data for Massachusetts
Your income is below the Massachusetts median — you pass Stage 1 of the means test.
Your income falls — below the Massachusetts median. You automatically pass Stage 1 and can proceed to file Chapter 7 — typically completed in 3–4 months.
Standard Legal’s bankruptcy software includes all Massachusetts district forms, current Massachusetts means test figures, and attorney-written instructions for a one-time flat fee of $49.95.
✓ You qualify — get everything you need to file for $49.95
You don’t automatically pass Stage 1 — but you may still qualify with full deductions.
Your income exceeds the Massachusetts median by —. Stage 2 deductions — IRS expense standards, mortgage and car payments, and other obligations — may still qualify you for Chapter 7. Many people above the median pass after these deductions.
Chapter 13 is also a powerful option — a 3–5 year plan that lets you restructure debt while keeping your property. Standard Legal covers both chapters at the same $49.95 price.
ⓘ Complete Stage 2 — both chapters included at $49.95
Attorney-prepared forms, step-by-step instructions, and everything you need to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in Massachusetts — without paying thousands in legal fees.
✓ Chapter 7 & 13 Included
✓ All Massachusetts Districts
Massachusetts offers one of the strongest homestead protections of any opt-in state — $500,000 when a Declaration of Homestead is properly recorded before filing — making it essential for Massachusetts homeowners to record this declaration in advance.
The means test compares your household’s average monthly income over the six calendar months prior to filing against Massachusetts’s current median income for your household size, as established by the U.S. Trustee Program.
Stage 1 — Median Income Comparison: If your annualized average monthly income is below Massachusetts’s median for your household size, you automatically pass and may file Chapter 7.
Stage 2 — Disposable Income Calculation: If your income exceeds the median, you complete Official Form 122A-2, deducting IRS expense standards, secured debt payments, and priority obligations. Many people above the median still qualify after these deductions.
| Household Size | Annual Median Income | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $92,858 | $7,738 |
| 2 people | $111,548 | $9,295 |
| 3 people | $129,252 | $10,771 |
| 4 people | $150,696 | $12,558 |
| 5 people | $159,496 | $13,291 |
| 6 people | $168,296 | $14,024 |
| 7 people | $177,096 | $14,758 |
| 8+ people | $185,896+ | $15,491 |
Massachusetts bankruptcy cases are filed at the District of Massachusetts (Boston, Springfield, Worcester). Standard Legal’s software includes all Massachusetts-specific district forms and local rules documents.
Yes. Federal law explicitly permits pro se (self-represented) bankruptcy filing in all Massachusetts bankruptcy districts. Standard Legal’s software provides the same complete forms and attorney-written instructions that a Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney uses, for a one-time flat fee of $49.95 — compared to the $900 to $5,000+ that Massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys typically charge.
- All wage garnishments stop immediately
- Foreclosure proceedings halt — including a scheduled sale
- Vehicle repossessions are stopped
- Lawsuits and collection calls must cease
- Bank account levies are terminated
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results reflect Stage 1 of the means test only and do not account for allowable Stage 2 deductions. Median income figures should be verified at justice.gov/ust/means-testing. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation. Noble Financial Agency operates as a nonlawyer document preparation service and is not a law firm. This page contains an affiliate link; we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.