When your attorney files your bankruptcy petition, you want to make sure that your bank account balances are as low as possible. You might have a balance if you have direct deposit, and your attorney is filing on or around your payday.
If you have a balance in your bank accounts, the trustee will require you to turn over 25% of the balance amount, unless you can show that the source of the money is exempt, as in the case of unemployment or worker’s compensation benefits.
You should also be careful about what you use that money on. Play it safe and use it to pay for things like rent, utility bills, food, and gas.