Announcements

Please click here to view the Notice of Vacancy from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.

CM/ECF users please be aware the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has recently discovered that CM/ECF infrequently but erroneously reuses a transaction ID for two unrelated case transactions, which may interfere with the proper docketing of a filing.  When this happens the filer gets an unusual message from CM/ECF that appears to indicate a filing has been accepted, but reports two separate case numbers. If users receive this unusual ECF message they must check the docket sheet to confirm that the intended transaction was docketed, and resubmit the transaction if it does not appear on the docket sheet.  For more information including a screen shot of the ECF message at issue, click here.

Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules 3011, 8003, 9006, and new Rule 9038 are effective December 1, 2023. The text of the amended rules and new rule and the accompanying committee notes can be viewed here.  In addition, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved amendments effective December 1, 2023, to the Court’s Local Bankruptcy Rules and Appendices D, F, G, H and J.  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 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 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. 

The online Electronic Self Representation (eSR) tool is now available to help self-represented individuals in the District of Maryland complete and file a bankruptcy petition electronically.  eSR is only available for non-emergency Chapter 7 individual filings.  eSR is not available to bankruptcy petition preparers.  Further information on eSR as well as a link to access the eSR tool can be found here.

Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 1020, 2009, 2012, 2015, 3002, 3010, 3011, 3014, 3016, 3017.1, 3017.2 (new), 3018, 3019, 5005, 7004, and 8023 are effective December 1, 2022.  The text of the amended rules and accompanying committee notes can be viewed here.  In addition, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved a technical amendment to Local Bankruptcy Rule 1006-1 and, with the exception of Interim Federal Bankruptcy Rule 1020, the rescission of the Small Business Reorganization Act related interim Federal Bankruptcy Rules as contained in Appendix I to the Local Bankruptcy Rules.  The rules were superseded by promulgation of the final Federal Rules.  To view a summary of the changes and a redlined copy of the amended local rule and amended Appendix I, please click here.

By using the Online Payment Form (click here to access the form), parties can make installment payments for chapter 7, 11, and 13 filing fees with their debit card.  The Online Payment Form can also be used to pay fees associated with case reopens, amendments and other matters. Please call the Clerk's Office at 410-962-2688 or 301-344-8018 to verify any particular fee amount.

This form cannot be used to make Chapter 13 plan payments to the trustee. Any payment returned for insufficient funds will be charged a $53.00 returned item fee, and future electronic payments from such parties may be refused by the Court.  Attorneys must file documents and pay corresponding filing fees via CM/ECF. See generally L.B.R. 5005-1 and Administrative Orders 03-02 and 11-03.