Developer John Kline had debts of $38 million when he filed in February to liquidate assets under federal bankruptcy laws, according to documents outlining his financial affairs that were filed Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Des Moines.

The filing of schedules and statements was made on behalf of Kline’s wife, Michelle, who is seeking to protect her share of some of the couple’s assets.

Among other things, Michelle Kline is claiming a 50 percent interest in insurance policies totaling more than $10 million on the couple’s Urbandale home that was destroyed by fire just days before Kline filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 17. That fire is under investigation by local, state and federal authorities.

Michelle Kline is not listed as a co-debtor in the bankruptcy case, and her ability to file financial statements as a surrogate for her husband was upheld last month by a federal judge, who also ordered that detailed financial information should be filed as of yesterday.

John Kline has cited his constitutional right against self-incrimination in refusing to list his debts and assets, apparently after learning that he might be under investigation for bank fraud, his attorney, Jerrold Wanek, has said. Wanek also is representing Michelle Kline.

Michelle Kline’s filing listed assets of $6.6 million, including her 50 percent interest in $9,800 that was recovered from a safe after the fire that destroyed the couple’s home at 3536 129th St., checking accounts in Iowa and Florida with total balances of about $24,000, four cars that were damaged by fire and are the subject of a claim by a credit union, and two insurance policies totaling $10.5 million on the home.

Two Rivers Bank and Trust in West Des Moines recently won the right under a consent agreement to make a claim on one of the policies against a mortgage it holds on the Urbandale residence.

Of the $38 million in debts identified in Michelle Kline’s filing, all but about $9 million was owed to banks in Florida and Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston, Marshalltown, Milford, Spirit Lake and Winterset. John Kline, his development companies and other development partners are listed as co-debtors on many of those loans.

The filing also said John Kline is owed about $2.5 million by his development company, John C. Kline Inc., and that his former spouse has a $4 million claim in a divorce settlement that included $2.8 million in property plus child support.

According to the filing, John Kline has gross monthly income of about $20,000 from real estate commissions and business activities and monthly expenses of $51,281.