The Court has completed a video aimed at unrepresented parties, titled “Filing Bankruptcy Without an Attorney:  What You Need to Know!”, and available by clicking here.  This short video features retired Bankruptcy Judge Duncan W. Keir, and is highly recommended viewing for anyone considering filing bankruptcy without legal representation.  It provides crucial information on the dangers of proceeding unrepresented, low cost and no cost attorney options, the Debtor Assistance Project, and additional resources available on the Don’t Have a Lawyer page of the Court’s website. 

Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules 2005, 3007, 7007.1, and 9036 and Official Form 122B (Chapter 11 Statement of Current Monthly Income) are effective December 1, 2021. The text of the amended rules/form and accompanying committee notes can be viewed here.  In addition, The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved new Local Bankruptcy Rules 1002-2, 1002-3, 3011-1, and 7007-1, amendments to Local Bankruptcy Rules 1009-1, 3007-1, 5001-2, and 5005-1, and deletion of Local Bankruptcy Rules 1007-3 and 2081-1 effective December 1, 2021.  Further, based on the amendments to Local Bankruptcy Rules 1002-3 and 5005-1, Administrative Orders 21-03 and 03-02 will be rescinded as unnecessary effective December 1, 2021. To view the Administrative Order implementing the amendments, a summary of the changes, and a redlined copy of the amended local rules, please click here.

The Court’s Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) resources webpage, available here, contains various SBRA Materials including an updated example Subchapter V Plan Report, example Subchapter V Initial Scheduling Order, and example Subchapter V Second Scheduling Order.

If you are a renter having trouble paying your rent or a landlord who has lost rental income due to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, help may be available.  To view an Informational Notice from the U.S. Trustee Program on Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, click here.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland mourns the September 16, 2021 passing of Chapter 13 Trustee Robert Thomas.  Mr. Thomas served as a Chapter 13 Standing Trustee from October 1, 2016 until his passing.  Mr. Thomas was an effective Trustee and well respected by the consumer bankruptcy community.  He cared deeply about the debtors who passed through his office,  understood how the fresh start could be life changing for debtors and brought integrity to every step of the Chapter 13 process.  Assistant U.S. Trustee Gerard R. Vetter has been appointed as the Interim Chapter 13 Trustee effective September 16, 2021.