Bankruptcy Court E-Filing Guide

Court: United States Bankruptcy Court for the [________________________________]

Attorney/Filer: [________________________________]

Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

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I. Bankruptcy Court CM/ECF Overview

What is CM/ECF?

☐ Case Management/Electronic Case Files system
☐ Mandatory for attorneys in most bankruptcy courts
☐ 24/7 access for filing and viewing documents
☐ Electronic service on registered participants

Relationship with PACER

☐ PACER account required for CM/ECF access
☐ PACER used for viewing documents
☐ CM/ECF used for filing documents
☐ Single login in NextGen courts

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II. Registration Requirements

PACER Account

☐ Create account at pacer.uscourts.gov
☐ Individual account (not firm account for filing)
☐ Email address verified
☐ Account in good standing

CM/ECF Registration

☐ NextGen Courts: Register through PACER Manage My Account
☐ CurrentGen Courts: Register directly with each court
☐ Application submitted to court
☐ Training completed (if required)
☐ Court approval received

Required Information for Registration

☐ Attorney name
☐ Bar admission information
☐ Firm name and address
☐ Email address for NEF
☐ Phone number

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III. Hardware and Software Requirements

Minimum Requirements

☐ Computer with internet access
☐ Compatible web browser
☐ PDF software for creating documents
☐ Scanner for converting paper documents

PDF Creation Tools

☐ Adobe Acrobat
☐ Microsoft Word (Save as PDF)
☐ PDF printer drivers
☐ Scanner software

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IV. Document Standards

PDF Requirements

☐ PDF format required for all documents
☐ File size limit: Typically 4 MB per document (varies by court)
☐ Text-searchable (not image-only when possible)
☐ No security restrictions
☐ No embedded audio/video

Document Formatting

☐ Standard letter size (8.5" x 11")
☐ Proper orientation (portrait/landscape)
☐ Legible fonts (12-point minimum)
☐ Standard margins (1 inch)
☐ Clear, legible scans (300 DPI minimum)

Large Document Handling

☐ If document exceeds size limit:
☐ Split into multiple files
☐ File as separate attachments
☐ Use logical break points
☐ Label parts clearly (Part 1 of 3, etc.)

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V. Signature Requirements

Electronic Signature Format

☐ Use "/s/ [Attorney Name]" format
☐ Example: /s/ Jane Smith

Signature Block Contents

☐ Attorney name
☐ Bar number
☐ Firm name
☐ Address
☐ Phone and fax
☐ Email address
☐ Dated

Declaration/Affidavit Signatures

☐ Original signature scanned, OR
☐ /s/ signature with attorney certification, OR
☐ Conformed signature format per local rule
☐ Retained original if scanned

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VI. Filing Bankruptcy Documents

New Case Filing

☐ Voluntary Petition (Form 101)
☐ Schedules and Statements
☐ Mailing Matrix (Creditor List)
☐ Statement of Social Security Numbers (Form 121)
☐ Credit Counseling Certificate
☐ Means Test Forms (if applicable)
☐ Chapter 13 Plan (if Chapter 13)

Mailing Matrix Requirements

☐ Format per court specifications:
☐ One creditor per line
☐ No special characters
☐ No punctuation (may vary)
☐ Maximum characters per line (usually 40)
☐ Text file format (.txt)
☐ All creditors from schedules included

New Case Filing Checklist

☐ Select "Bankruptcy" menu
☐ Select "Open Voluntary BK Case"
☐ Upload petition
☐ Upload matrix file
☐ Answer case opening questions
☐ Upload remaining schedules
☐ Pay filing fee (if applicable)
☐ Verify filing and save receipt

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VII. Motion and Pleading Filing

Filing a Motion

☐ Select "Bankruptcy" menu
☐ Select "Motions/Applications"
☐ Select appropriate motion type
☐ Enter case number
☐ Designate filer
☐ Upload motion document
☐ Attach supporting documents
☐ Link related documents
☐ Submit and verify

Common Motion Types

☐ Motion for Relief from Stay
☐ Motion to Extend Time
☐ Motion to Dismiss
☐ Motion to Convert
☐ Motion for Sale
☐ Motion to Avoid Lien
☐ Motion for Contempt

Contested Matter Filings

☐ Objections
☐ Responses
☐ Replies
☐ Request for Hearing

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VIII. Adversary Proceedings

Opening Adversary Proceeding

☐ Select "Adversary" menu
☐ Select "Open Adversary Case"
☐ Enter main case number
☐ Upload complaint
☐ Upload cover sheet (Form 104)
☐ Pay filing fee
☐ Obtain adversary case number

Adversary Pleadings

☐ File in adversary proceeding number
☐ Not in main bankruptcy case
☐ Reference main case number

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IX. Proof of Claim Filing

Creditor Filing

☐ Many courts use claims agents for filing
☐ Check for court-designated claims agent
☐ If CM/ECF: Use "Claims" menu
☐ Enter case number
☐ Complete online form OR upload Form 410
☐ Attach supporting documents
☐ No filing fee

Claims Agent Systems

☐ Epiq
☐ Stretto
☐ Omni Agent Solutions
☐ Kurtzman Carson Consultants
☐ Check court website for designated agent

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X. Orders and Proposed Orders

Submitting Proposed Orders

☐ Upload in Word format (.doc or .docx)
☐ Or upload PDF per court preference
☐ Select appropriate event
☐ Link to motion/request being granted
☐ E-Orders system (if court uses one)

Order Format

☐ Caption with case number
☐ Recitals (motion filed, notice given)
☐ "IT IS HEREBY ORDERED" language
☐ Signature block for judge
☐ Clear and specific terms

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XI. Service and Notice

Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)

☐ Automatic upon filing
☐ Sent to all registered participants
☐ Constitutes service under Bankruptcy Rules
☐ Time-stamped for deadline purposes

Manual Service Required

☐ Non-registered parties
☐ Pro se debtors (in some courts)
☐ Initial service of some documents
☐ Certificate of service filed

Certificate of Service

☐ List all parties served
☐ Indicate method (NEF vs. mail)
☐ Date of service
☐ Signed by attorney

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XII. Fee Payment

Online Payment Methods

☐ Credit card (Pay.gov)
☐ ACH bank transfer
☐ Deferred payment (if permitted)

Common Bankruptcy Fees (Verify Current Amounts)

☐ Chapter 7 filing: $338
☐ Chapter 11 filing: $1,738
☐ Chapter 13 filing: $313
☐ Adversary proceeding: $350
☐ Motion for relief from stay: $188
☐ Motion to convert: varies by chapter

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XIII. Deadline and Time Considerations

Filing Time

☐ Documents filed by 11:59:59 PM court's local time
☐ Not filer's local time
☐ Court time zone: [________________________________]

Document "Filed" When

☐ Date/time stamp on NEF is filing time
☐ Filing complete when court accepts document
☐ Rejected documents not considered filed

Technical Difficulties

☐ Document court system outage
☐ Contact clerk's office
☐ May permit paper filing in emergency
☐ File motion to excuse late filing if needed

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XIV. Correcting Errors

Minor Errors

☐ Contact clerk's office
☐ Request docket correction
☐ May need to file amended document

Document Filed in Error

☐ Contact clerk immediately
☐ File motion to strike (if needed)
☐ Provide correct document

Wrong Case

☐ Contact clerk immediately
☐ Request document removal
☐ File in correct case

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XV. Privacy and Redaction

Required Redactions (Bankruptcy Rule 9037)

☐ Social Security Numbers: Last 4 digits only
☐ Taxpayer IDs: Last 4 digits only
☐ Birth dates: Year only
☐ Minors' names: Initials only
☐ Financial account numbers: Last 4 digits only

Unredacted Documents

☐ Statement of Social Security Numbers (Form 121) filed separately
☐ Not part of public record
☐ Sealed automatically

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XVI. Document Retention

Retain Originals

☐ Keep signed originals for duration of case
☐ Minimum retention: Life of case plus appeals period
☐ Some courts specify retention periods

Electronic Records

☐ Save NEF receipts
☐ Save all filed documents
☐ Maintain organized case files

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XVII. Common Mistakes to Avoid

☐ Filing in wrong case
☐ Missing attachments
☐ Incorrect document type selected
☐ Missing signatures
☐ Unredacted personal identifiers
☐ File too large
☐ Password-protected PDFs
☐ Wrong party designated as filer
☐ Missing certificate of service
☐ Waiting until last minute (system issues)

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XVIII. Help Resources

Court Resources

☐ Court website: [________________________________]
☐ Clerk's office phone: [________________________________]
☐ CM/ECF help desk: [________________________________]

PACER Resources

☐ PACER Service Center: 1-800-676-6856
☐ Website: pacer.uscourts.gov
☐ Email: [email protected]

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XIX. Quick Reference Checklist

Before Filing

☐ Correct case number
☐ Document in PDF format
☐ File size within limits
☐ Signatures complete
☐ Required redactions made
☐ Attachments ready
☐ Fee information ready

During Filing

☐ Correct event selected
☐ All parties properly identified
☐ Documents uploaded
☐ Links made to related documents
☐ Fee paid

After Filing

☐ NEF received and saved
☐ Verify filing appears on docket
☐ Serve non-registered parties
☐ File certificate of service

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Sources and References

• CM/ECF Information: https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/electronic-filing-cm-ecf
• PACER: https://pacer.uscourts.gov
• Individual Bankruptcy Court Websites
• Local Bankruptcy Court Rules

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Prepared by: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]