Announcements

Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark has been sworn in as the new bankruptcy judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.  She was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing in November 2019 of The Honorable Wendelin I. Lipp.  Judge Ruark will sit in the Bankruptcy Court's Greenbelt Division.  Click here to read the Announcement.

In collaboration with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) Celebrate Pro Bono 2020, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland recognizes and thanks volunteers and supporters for their outstanding pro bono work during 2019 and 2020 (January-September). For more information and to see the recognized Debtor Assistance Project and MVLS volunteers, click here.

On October 28, 2020, at the “Celebrate Pro Bono Awards Ceremony, ” the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) honored the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland with the 2020 award for Special Project of the Year. The award was given for the Court’s efforts to establish the Telephone Debtor Assistance Project (TDAP), and states it is given in recognition of the Court’s “outstanding pro bono commitment to MVLS clients and the support of the launch of the TDAP project.” Additional information on the TDAP is available here.

The Judicial Conference approved adjustments to the Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule (28 U.S.C. § 1930) effective December 1, 2020. Filing fees for the most common petitions will be: Chapter 7, $338; Chapter 11, $1,738; Chapter 13, $313. For details on all the bankruptcy fee changes click here.

It is with great sadness that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland announces that the Honorable James F. Schneider passed away on April 6, 2020 at his residence. Judge Schneider retired from the Bench on May 9, 2017, after more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Court. He was immediately recalled and continued to serve as a recalled Bankruptcy Judge until his passing. Judge Schneider was a tremendous public servant, a highly respected jurist, always kind, and loved by all. A Memorial Service will be conducted virtually on Wednesday, April 15.  Information on how to view that service can be found in the Notice of Judge Schneider’s passing below.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved amendments to the Court’s Local Bankruptcy Rules effective February 19, 2020.  To view the Administrative Order implementing the amendments, a summary of the changes, and a redlined copy of the amended rules, please click below.

The Court has created a Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) resources webpage.  The webpage can be accessed here or by clicking on SBRA Materials under the For Attorneys tab on the Court’s website.  Additional resources and materials and optional Forms related to the SBRA will be posted on this page when they are finalized.

This is a reminder to use caution when opening email links and attachments even when they appear to be sent from the ECF system. Any sender address can be spoofed, and emails can carry malicious payloads. Please report any unexpected, unusual, oddly worded, or otherwise suspicious emails to IT Service Desk.

Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules 4001, 6007, 9036 and 9037 are effective December 1, 2019. The text of the amended rules and accompanying committee notes can be viewed here. In addition, amended Official Bankruptcy Form 122A1 is effective December 1, 2019. The amended Official Form can be viewed here.

Effective December 1, 2019, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland will utilize a new Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds along with new Instructions for filing Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds.  Additional information about unclaimed funds can be found by visiting the Unclaimed Funds page.