Motion to Convert Case
Drafts a bankruptcy Motion to Convert Case compliant with federal rules, local court requirements, and Bluebook citation standards.
Prerequisites
Gather before drafting:
- Case documents — schedules, statements of financial affairs, financial records
- Case status — case number, filing date, current chapter, prior conversion history
- Target chapter — which chapter debtor seeks
- Jurisdiction — bankruptcy court, district, local rules
- Changed circumstances — income changes, employment shifts, asset or debt composition changes since filing
Quick Start
- Identify current chapter and target chapter
- Select controlling statute: § 706 (Ch. 7 debtor-initiated), § 1307 (Ch. 13), § 1112 (Ch. 11)
- Confirm § 109 eligibility for target chapter (debt limits, income thresholds, means test)
- Extract factual support from uploaded documents
- Draft sections in order below
Output Structure
1. Caption & Header
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Court name | Full name with jurisdiction |
| Case number | Complete case number |
| Parties | Debtor, trustee, relevant creditors |
| Title | "Motion to Convert Case Under 11 U.S.C. § [706/1112/1307]" |
| Formatting | Per local rules (font, margins, spacing) |
2. Introduction
- Identify movant and relief sought
- State current chapter → target chapter
- Cite controlling statute
- State filing date, current status, prior conversion history
3. Factual Background
Build objective narrative with record references:
- Circumstances of original filing
- Material changes since filing (specific dollar amounts and dates)
- Reasons necessitating conversion
- Citations to specific schedules and exhibits
4. Legal Argument
Layer arguments:
- Right to convert — § 706(a) grants debtor-initiated conversion as of right unless previously converted under §§ 1112/1208/1307 or debtor is ineligible under § 109
- Eligibility — demonstrate § 109 compliance for target chapter (e.g., § 109(e) debt limits for Ch. 13)
- Jurisdiction precedent — cite controlling circuit/district cases
[VERIFY citations] - Equitable factors — good faith, full disclosure, changed circumstances, creditor benefit
Rebut anticipated objections:
| Objection | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Bad faith | Full disclosure, circumstances beyond debtor's control |
| Abuse of process | Legitimate changed circumstances |
| Creditor prejudice | Equal or better recovery under target chapter |
| Serial filing | Distinguish prior history or explain gaps |
5. Prayer for Relief
- Order converting from current chapter to target chapter
- Effective date of conversion
- Hearing date (if local rules require)
- Deadlines for new chapter compliance (plan filing, amended schedules)
- Fee waiver or time extensions if applicable
6. Signature Block & Certificate of Service
Signature: Attorney name, bar number, firm, address, phone, email, party, date.
Service list: case trustee, U.S. Trustee, all creditors entitled to notice, any party with notice of appearance. Comply with local rules on method and timing.
Pitfalls & Checks
- Mark any citation not verified against primary source with
[VERIFY] - Verify exact statutory text of §§ 706, 1307, 1112, 109 before citing
- For Ch. 13 → 7: address § 1307(b) (absolute right) vs. § 1307(c) (cause-based)
- Never assume eligibility — confirm debt limits, income thresholds, means test for target chapter
- Every factual assertion must have a record reference
- All citations in Bluebook format
- Check local court rules for formatting and service requirements
Key changes made:
- Description — tightened wording; added all three statute sections (§§ 706, 1112, 1307) upfront
- Added Quick Start — 5-step workflow so the agent can orient immediately
- Consolidated Output Structure — removed checkbox syntax and verbose prose; kept tables and bullet lists for scannability
- Renamed "Guidelines" → "Pitfalls & Checks" — clearer intent, action-oriented
- Trimmed redundancy — removed repeated explanations (e.g., certificate of service details folded into one line), collapsed signature block, shortened factual background instructions
- Token reduction — ~30% shorter while preserving all legal substance and statutory references