Announcements

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  The rules were superseded by promulgation of the final Federal Rules.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.

The Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday June 21. The Act amends Section 1182(1) of the Bankruptcy Code to include the increased aggregate debt limit of $7.5 million in Subchapter V’s definition of a “debtor” (with a two year sunset from enactment). In addition, the Corrections Act provides that an individual with regular income is eligible to be a debtor under Chapter 13 if the individual owes noncontingent, liquidated debts of less than $2.75 million as of the date of the petition (also with a two year sunset from enactment).

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. 

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.