I used to work in banko and while the "laws" have become more stringent, the means test has not really changed. The basic premise in filing banko (I assume 7, not 13), is to show that your expenses exceed your income, thus, no disposable income to pay your debts.
While I, along with most others, don't believe 7k is enough to file (especially depending on the state, Ch 7 alone tends to cost upwards of $1000 or more, not including the $200+ filing fee), it IS enough to file, as long as the means test is met. Seems like a waste to have banko in your record for 10 years for 7k. Do you know if he is current on his bills? Or just not wanting to pay?
It actually has little to with the what your assets are worth-b/c essentially, you are allowed to keep your house or vehicle (assuming you're current), life insurance, retirement, vacation days, X amount worth of personal items (valuation of clothes, etc). There are certain stipulations but all in all - it's enough to file. And I can personally state that when I worked for a banko guy, if it wasn't enough to file-he'd offer an alternative (attempt to settle, write letters to creditors, etc).
Additionally, and good credit standers of America will be disappointed by this-but you'd be surprised how many people AFTER bankruptcy get offers for credit cards (albeit $500 or $1000) and even mortgages (not so much now) or low interest cards within 3 years of filing. Why? B/c the assumption is now that the debt has been discharged - there IS no debt and there IS disposable income to PAY their debt if they accumulate it. Twisted I know.