Chief Judge Thomas J. Catliota has informed the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that he will retire from his position as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Maryland on October 3, 2022, after 16 and a half years of outstanding service to the Court.  The Court congratulates Chief Judge Catliota on the occasion of this announcement, and thanks him both for his long-term, dedicated service as one of the Court’s Judges and also for his extraordinary leadership as Chief Judge immediately following the sudden passing of beloved Judge Wendelin I. Lipp and then, just a couple of months thereafter, during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.

Adjustments to the dollar amounts stated in various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and one provision of Title 28 of the United States Code will go into effect on April 1, 2022, for cases filed on or after that date. The adjustments’ timing and calculation are codified in 11 U.S.C. § 104.  A chart showing the affected sections, including the current and adjusted dollar amounts, can be found here. Seven Official Bankruptcy Forms and two Director’s Forms also contain references to several of the affected dollar amounts. The revised forms, available here, will be effective on April 1, 2022 and will apply to cases filed on or after that date.

The Office of the United States Trustee has announced that Brian A. Tucci has been appointed as a Chapter 13 Standing Trustee in Baltimore.  Please click here to view the announcement.

The United States District Court has designated the Honorable David E. Rice to serve as Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court, effective April 30, 2022. Please click here to view the announcement.

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.