Virtual Bankruptcy Petition Preparer
Hire a trained preparer to draft Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 petitions for your firm — or train to become one yourself.
What Is a Virtual Bankruptcy Petition Preparer?
A virtual bankruptcy petition prepareris a non-attorney who prepares Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions remotely, rather than working on-site in a law office. The work itself is the same document preparation done in any bankruptcy practice — gathering the filer’s income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and creditor claims, then assembling them into the petition that gets filed with the bankruptcy court. What makes it virtual is simply that it is performed from a home or independent office and delivered electronically.
Preparing a petition accurately is a specialized skill. Bankruptcy law is federal, so the forms and process are the same nationwide — which is what makes the work practical to do remotely for filers or firms anywhere in the country.
Two Ways to Do This Work
People searching for a “bankruptcy petition preparer” are usually looking for one of two arrangements. Both are legitimate, and NAVBA membership is open to either — which path a member takes is their own choice.
Working with an attorney
A Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant (VBA) — also called a Bankruptcy Petition Specialist — prepares petitions for a bankruptcy attorney. The attorney reviews the petition, files it, and remains the professional of record responsible for any legal advice the client receives. This is how most NAVBA members work today.
Working directly with filers
A bankruptcy petition preparer in the specific sense of 11 U.S.C. § 110 works directly for the person filing, with no attorney involved. Section 110 requires them to sign what they prepare and disclose their identity and fees to the court, and it bars them from giving legal advice — including which chapter to file under.
The NAVBA directory lists members as Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants — professionals available to prepare petitions for bankruptcy law firms. If you are filing on your own without an attorney, you would be looking for a § 110 petition preparer instead, which is a separate arrangement the directory does not cover.
This page describes the two arrangements in general terms and is not legal advice. Section 110 imposes specific duties and penalties on petition preparers, and some districts apply additional local rules — anyone preparing petitions directly for filers should confirm the requirements that apply in their district.
Common Questions
What is a virtual bankruptcy petition preparer?
A virtual bankruptcy petition preparer is a non-attorney who prepares Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions remotely, rather than working on-site in a law office. The work is the same document preparation done in any bankruptcy practice — gathering the filer's income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and creditor claims and assembling them into the petition filed with the court — but it is performed from a home or independent office and delivered electronically.
Is a virtual bankruptcy petition preparer the same as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant?
They describe closely related work and the terms are often used interchangeably. The practical difference is who the preparer works for. A Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant (VBA), also called a Bankruptcy Petition Specialist, prepares petitions for a bankruptcy attorney, who reviews and files them and remains responsible for any legal advice the client receives. A bankruptcy petition preparer in the specific sense of 11 U.S.C. § 110 works directly for the person filing, with no attorney involved, and § 110 requires them to sign what they prepare and disclose their identity and fees to the court while barring them from giving legal advice.
Do you need a license or degree to work as one?
No law license, paralegal certificate, or college degree is required for either path. What the work does require is accurate, current knowledge of bankruptcy forms and procedure, which is why most people entering the field complete a petition drafting course first. NAVBA also offers a voluntary VBA Certification Exam that law firms use as a recognized measure of skill.
More answers on the NAVBA FAQ.
Are you an attorney?
Browse the NAVBA directory of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants accepting work. Search by state and specialty, then contact them directly — no middleman, no staffing agency, and no fee to use the directory.
Browse the DirectoryWant to become one?
No prior legal experience is required. Start with a petition drafting course, then join NAVBA for a free directory listing, the certification exam, and ongoing member support.
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