Our Mission: "To promote social and economic order by reconciling the opportunity
              of debtors to a fresh start with the rights of creditors to be paid."

On July 1, 2009, Administrative Order 09-01, adopting an amended version of Appendix F of the Local Bankruptcy Rules, will go into effect. Please click here for more details.

Starting Tuesday March 17, 2009, the Court will change the contact email addresses for all hearing related matters for each Judge. To ensure you have the correct address, click Contact on the top of the Court’s web page and for each Division you will see an email link next to the Courtroom Deputy’s (CRD) name. If you have a saved email address for each CRD, please update it so you are no longer emailing them directly. If the matter is case related, please continue to contact the Case Administrator.

The Maryland Bankruptcy Court launched changes to its website on February 5, 2009, in an effort to make its website more user-friendly to individuals without an attorney (also known as "pro se"). Bankruptcy is a complex area of law, which makes successful navigation of a bankruptcy case difficult for pro se parties. The updated website has a user-friendly design and contains expanded substantive and procedural information on bankruptcy. This information includes a complete listing of resources available to assist individuals in finding an attorney, sometimes at low to no cost. Due to the complexity and long-term financial effects of filing for bankruptcy, individuals are encouraged to obtain legal advice from a competent attorney before filing a petition. Please note that these changes are just the start of the Court’s efforts to assist pro se parties. Any suggestions on how best to do this are welcomed through use of the Suggestion Box.
On October 20, 2008, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 was enacted into law. The Act provides a temporary exclusion from the bankruptcy means test for Reservists and members of the National Guard called to active duty or homeland defense activity after September 11, 2001, for at least 90 days. Please see Administrative Order 08-03 for more details.

On December 1, 2008 Revised Local Bankruptcy Rules become effective. These rules implement the Court Hearing Scheduler (CHS) Program and clarify the computation of time to respond to pleadings pursuant to FRBP 9006 (a) and (f). This version supersedes all prior versions. Click here for a link to the Local Rules. Click here for a demonstration of the CHS Program. The affected Local Bankruptcy Forms will be updated at 9 p.m. November 30, 2008.

Please be aware of possible fraudulent activity that could be affecting victims throughout the country. Click here for more details.

The Court's Strategic Plan is now available. Your comments and opinions are most welcome!

Interested in searching for Unclaimed Funds? You will find it under "Case Resources" in the Case Info section.

The Memorandum Summarizing Procedures With Respect To Withdrawal Of The Reference Of Bankruptcy Matters From The United States Bankruptcy Court To The United States District Court In Maryland have been updated. Please see Bankruptcy Removal Manual under the Reference Library button.

Please see our Debtor's Assistance Manual
Debtor's Assistance Manual (Effective Dec. 1, 2009)!

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 contains a provision that increased the quarterly fees on disbursements paid by chapter 11 debtors in U.S. Trustee regions. The new fees went into effect on January 1, 2008.  Bankruptcy Form B200, Required Lists, Schedules, Statements, and Fees, has been revised to incorporate the new quarterly fees.

On November 1, 2007, Revised Local Bankruptcy Rules become effective. These Rules include a revised Chapter 13 Plan as well as other significant changes. They bear the version number 11.07 at the bottom of each page to distinguish them from the May 2007 Rules. Please click here for the full Revised Local Rules and a summary of significant changes. (posted 10/17/2007)

Effective August 24, 2007, Judges Nancy V. Alquist and James F. Schneider will permit parties to appear at court hearings telephonically using CourtCall, an independent conference call company. You must contact the courtroom deputy at least 24 hours in advance to confirm that you will be permitted to appear telephonically. Click here for procedures for additional requirements as well as a list of matters where you may not appear telephonically.

On April 1, 2007, automatic adjustments to the dollar amounts stated in various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and one provision of Title 28 of the U.S. Code become effective. The amended dollar amounts will apply to cases filed on or after April 1, 2007. Click here for a full description of the changes.

The Maryland Bankruptcy Court has new forms available in a fill-in format on our web site as of Monday April 2nd. Please contact your Bankruptcy Petition Preparation vendor to ensure you have the latest software version that incorporates these changes.(Posted 4/2/07)

The newest edition of "The Legal Eagle", our court's newsletter, is now available! (posted 04/07/07)

Notice of change of pretrial conference procedures in adversary proceedings/contested matters before Judge Mannes: If parties file R. 26(f) reports at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled pretrial conference hearing date, Judge Mannes will consider allowing the parties to appear by telephone. A similar procedure will be used in contested matters where status conferences are set. You will be advised by chambers, if you may appear by telephone. (posted November 29, 2006).

New Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing Options are available through the E-mail Link Service (posted 11/03/06)

New Privacy Rules are effective as of December 1, 2003 (re-posted 09/28/06)

Please click here for Public Notice - Reappointment of Bankruptcy Judge Duncan W. Keir (Posted 3/7/07)

Please click here for a list of fees that change effective January 1, 2007. (revised 12/21/06)

Please click here for a listing of Federal Rule Amendments (including Bankruptcy rules 1009, 5005, 7004) that go into effect December 1, 2006.

Effective October 1, 2006, Administrative Order 05-04 is amended to include the new language of interim FRBP 1007 and the new exhibit D of the petition regarding the credit counseling certificate. Administrative Order 06-04 is also effective on October 1, 2006, that adopts interim FRBP 1007 (attached at the end of the Administrative Order).(posted 09/29/06)

Effective July 1, 2006 one new and two amended Administrative Orders go into effect. Please click the links below. (posted 07/21/06)

• Administrative Order 06-03, Providing to the Trustee a Copy of the Federal Income Tax Return
• Administrative Order 05-04 Changes to Local Bankruptcy Rules and Procedures is amended. (LBR 1002-(a)(8) is amended to: 1) allow the debtor to check the block on the petition stating that the debtor has received approved budget and credit counseling; and 2) further refines procedures for providing the payment advices to the trustee.
• Administrative Order 04-01 Directing the Electronic filing of pleadings by attorneys is amended. (Requests for writs in aid of collection or recovery of property must be filed in paper form.)

Click here to see questions and answers from The Best Practices Forum held on April 5 and 6, 2006.  (posted 06/15/06)

Effective June 26, 2006, Judge Derby's odd numbered cases were administratively transferred to Judge Gordon except for Salisbury cases that will remain with Judge Derby. Cases 02-67584 (Baltimore Emergency Services and related cases) and 01-64463 (Railworks and related cases) were transferred to Judge Schneider.

Effective May 14, 2006, all of Judge Derby's even numbered cases were administratively transferred to Judge Alquist with these exceptions: Case 02-67584 (Baltimore Emergency Services and related cases), 02-54152 (Porter-Hayden and related cases), 99-61566 and 99-61567 (MPPI Physicians, LLC) and case 01-05155 (Rinn v. Reid et al.) (posted 5/16/06)

Click here to see Administrative Orders 06-01 - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER CONCERNING CHAPTER 13 CASES FILED AFTER OCTOBER 17, 2005  (posted 04/03/06)

Click here to see Administrative Order 06-02 - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER CONCERNING RENTAL PAYMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN CASES FILED AFTER OCTOBER 17, 2005, PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. § 362(l)(1)  (posted 04/03/06)

Are you an attorney who needs to sign up for CM/ECF? Click here for a Registration Form, or check out our "Training/Registration" section under Electronic Filing for more complete information!

New Form changes effective Oct. 1, 2006. Please click this link for the updated forms from the Administrative Office of the US Courts.

Effective July 19, 2006, all open and future Chapter 7 and 13 cases filed in the eastern shore counties (Salisbury) are assigned to Judge Keir. Judge Derby will continue to hear those cases in Salisbury. (posted 08/14/06)

Click here to see the change in Clerk's procedures for the Summons pursuant to Federal Rule 7004.  (posted 01/03/06)

Click here for the memo from the Administrative Office of the US Courts on the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, P.L. 109-8,119 Stat. 23 the President signed on April 20, 2005.

• Effective March 1, 2005, Administrative Order 05-01 eliminates paper noticing when it duplicates electronic notices sent through CM/ECF, except for the Notice of Meeting of Creditors. (posted February 8, 2005)

• The Amendments to Exhibit B to Administrative Order 03-02 to allow creditors to file reaffirmation agreements on line. (posted February. 10, 2005)

•   Check out the new Official and Procedural Bankruptcy Fill-In Forms in our Reference Library.

•   Click here for a notice of location for hearings for cases from eastern shore counties.  (updated 9/29/05)

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