The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland is pleased to introduce COURTney, the Court’s new chatbot.  COURTney is located on the Court’s public website and visible when viewing any page on the website.  COURTney not only provides relevant information when users click on buttons in the chat (e.g., list of fees, forms, filing information, etc.), but during regular business hours it will enable users to chat directly with Clerk’s Office staff members. 

 

The Celebration of Life for the Honorable James F. Schneider and Honorable Wendelin I. Lipp, along with the Portrait Unveiling for Judge Lipp, will take place at 4:00 pm on November 2, 2023, in Courtroom 4C at the United States Courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland.  If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by clicking here.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved for publication and public comment amendments to the Court’s Local Bankruptcy Rules and Appendices D, F, G, H and J.  Please click here for a summary of the proposed changes, redline and clean copies of the amendments, and instructions on how to submit comments.  Comments on the proposed amended rules and appendices should be submitted on or before October 10, 2023.  If adopted, the amended Local Bankruptcy Rules and Appendices will go into effect on December 1, 2023.

The United States Trustee Program (“Program”) will implement virtual § 341 meetings of creditors, primarily via Zoom, for chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases filed in Maryland on or after September 1, 2023.  The Program believes Zoom meetings will foster greater participation, result in substantial cost and time efficiencies for debtors and creditors, and better ensure the efficiency and integrity of the bankruptcy system.  The Program will hold two open Information Sessions to prepare for the change, covering topics such as connecting to a new Zoom meeting, participating in a virtual meeting, and requirements for verifying a debtor’s identity.  Click here for more information.

The EDSS Pilot Program was made available during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide self-represented parties an alternative to bringing documents to the courthouse, after the Court significantly altered operations including restricting access to the courthouses by non-court personnel. The COVID-19 national emergency ended and the Court has returned to normal operations, including access to the Clerk’s Office during normal business hours and the after hours drop boxes located in both courthouses.  The EDSS Pilot Program will end on July 1, 2023, and as of that date the Court will not accept filings by EDSS.  To see the Administrative Order rescinding the Pilot EDSS, please click here.