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Legal

Means Test

Manually calculating means test eligibility requires cross-referencing current median income tables, converting pay frequencies, adjusting for household size, and ensuring compliance with the latest filing date thresholds. Errors in calculation can result in incorrect filing recommendations, case dismissals, or malpractice exposure.

Automation ROI

Time savings at a glance

Manual workflow1.5 hoursAverage time your team spends by hand
With CaseMark8 minutesDelivery time with CaseMark automation
EfficiencySave 11.3x time with CaseMark

The Problem

Manually calculating means test eligibility requires cross-referencing current median income tables, converting pay frequencies, adjusting for household size, and ensuring compliance with the latest filing date thresholds. Errors in calculation can result in incorrect filing recommendations, case dismissals, or malpractice exposure.

The CaseMark Solution

CaseMark's AI-powered Means Test analyzer instantly processes payroll data, applies the correct state median income thresholds based on filing date, and determines above/below median status with precision. Upload pay stubs and client information, and receive a comprehensive eligibility analysis in minutes with full calculation transparency.

Key benefits

How CaseMark automations transform your workflow

Instant above/below median determination using current 2025 income thresholds for all states and territories

Automatic household size adjustments for families larger than 4 members

Flexible income calculation from YTD data or payment frequency analysis (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.)

Eliminate manual calculation errors that could jeopardize case eligibility

Generate client-ready reports showing complete calculation methodology and supporting data

What you'll receive

Median Income Determination
Above/Below Median Classification
Applicable State Median Income Threshold
Household Size Calculation
Income Calculation Methodology
Eligibility Summary
Supporting Data References

Document requirements

Required

  • Pay Stubs or Payroll Records
  • Client Intake Form

Optional

  • Tax Returns
  • Bank Statements

Perfect for

Bankruptcy Attorney
Consumer Bankruptcy Paralegal
Solo Practitioner
Legal Aid Attorney
Bankruptcy Trustee

Also useful for

This workflow is applicable across multiple practice areas and use cases

Bankruptcy litigation attorneys need means test calculations to determine Chapter 7 eligibility disputes, defend against trustee objections, and support conversion motions between chapters.

The means test is central to bankruptcy litigation cases involving eligibility challenges, bad faith filing allegations, and disputes over debtor qualifications requiring precise income calculations.

Family Law75% relevant

Family law attorneys use means test calculations when clients file bankruptcy during divorce proceedings to assess income for support obligations and property division.

Bankruptcy filings frequently intersect with family law cases, requiring attorneys to understand client income calculations for coordinating divorce settlements with bankruptcy eligibility and automatic stay implications.

Estate Planning68% relevant

Estate planning attorneys advise clients considering bankruptcy as part of comprehensive financial planning, requiring means test analysis to coordinate debt relief with asset protection strategies.

Estate planners need to evaluate bankruptcy eligibility when clients face significant debt, ensuring estate planning strategies align with potential bankruptcy filings and exemption planning.

Legal aid organizations and non-profit legal services use means test calculators to quickly screen clients for bankruptcy eligibility and prioritize case intake based on qualification likelihood.

Non-profit legal aid attorneys serving low-income populations need efficient means testing tools to determine client eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief during initial consultations and intake processes.

Frequently asked questions

Q

How does the AI determine if my client is above or below median income?

A

CaseMark extracts income data from pay stubs or payroll records, annualizes it based on payment frequency, then compares it against the current state-specific median income threshold for the client's household size. The system automatically applies the correct 2025 thresholds and adjusts for households larger than 4.

Q

What if I don't have year-to-date income information for my bankruptcy client?

A

The AI can calculate annualized income from regular paychecks by identifying payment frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) and projecting annual income accordingly. Simply upload available pay stubs and the system handles the conversion automatically.

Q

Does this tool stay updated with new median income thresholds?

A

Yes, CaseMark maintains current median income data for all 50 states and U.S. territories. The system is updated when new thresholds are released, ensuring your means test calculations always use the correct figures for the filing date.

Q

Can the means test calculator handle households larger than 4 people?

A

Absolutely. The AI automatically adds $11,100 per additional household member beyond 4 people, applying the correct adjustment to the base 4-person median income for the applicable state or territory.

Q

How accurate is the AI compared to manual means test calculations?

A

CaseMark eliminates common calculation errors by automatically applying the correct formulas, thresholds, and adjustments. The system shows its work, providing full transparency into how it reached the eligibility determination, which you can verify and include in client files.

Q

What happens if my client lives in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or Guam?

A

The means test analyzer includes median income thresholds for all U.S. territories including Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Simply select the territory and the AI applies the correct income limits.

Q

Can I use this for multiple clients at once?

A

Yes, you can process means test calculations for multiple clients efficiently. Upload each client's documents separately and receive individual eligibility analyses, dramatically reducing the time spent on intake screening and case qualification.