Motion to Convert Case

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:

1. Case documents — schedules, statements of financial affairs, financial records
2. Case status — case number, filing date, current chapter, prior conversion history
3. Target chapter — which chapter debtor seeks
4. Jurisdiction — bankruptcy court, district, local rules
5. Changed circumstances — income changes, employment shifts, asset or debt composition changes since filing

Quick Start

1. Identify current chapter and target chapter
2. Select controlling statute: § 706 (Ch. 7 debtor-initiated), § 1307 (Ch. 13), § 1112 (Ch. 11)
3. Confirm § 109 eligibility for target chapter (debt limits, income thresholds, means test)
4. Extract factual support from uploaded documents
5. Draft sections in order below

Output Structure

1. Caption & Header

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:

1. 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
2. Eligibility — demonstrate § 109 compliance for target chapter (e.g., § 109(e) debt limits for Ch. 13)
3. Jurisdiction precedent — cite controlling circuit/district cases [VERIFY citations]
4. Equitable factors — good faith, full disclosure, changed circumstances, creditor benefit

Rebut anticipated objections:

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