Opening a Case: Ch. 7 (voluntary)

STEP 1          Click on Bankruptcy

STEP 2          Click on BK Case Opening-Voluntary

STEP 3.a       Select 7 from the Chapter drop down box,

STEP 3.b        Select Y or N from the Joint Petition drop down list,

STEP 3.c       Select Y or N from the Deficiencies drop down list; click [NEXT]

STEP 4          Enter the appropriate information for the Debtor in the screen labeled Search for a Debtor; click [search]

STEP 5          If the Debtor you are filing for has filed with the court before, the Search for a Debtor function may yield their personal information. If a search yields the correct personal  information for the Debtor, select the Debtor’s name and personal information from the box.  If the Debtor has not filed with the court before and a search did not yield the Debtor’s name or the Debtor's previous information does not match exactly; click [Create New Party]

STEP 6          Enter the Debtor’s personal information in the appropriate boxes on the Debtor Information page. Click [Submit]

                     Include the following information: Name, Social Security Number, Address, Zip, State and County

Note- If the Debtor you are filing for is known under any Alias please click [Alias...] and enter any Alias that Debtor was known by.

STEP 7          Screen will display what Divisional Office is set for the Debtor based upon the Debtor’s zip code that was entered in the previous screen; click [Next]

STEP 8          Select the appropriate choices from the following drop down boxes and radio buttons; click [NEXT]

STEP 9          Enter the correct amounts in the Summary of Schedules; click [NEXT]

                     If the petition was deficient, click [NEXT] to bypass screen if all the information is not available on the schedules.

STEP 10         Enter the correct information in the boxes listed under Schedules and Form B22A; click [NEXT]

                       If the petition was deficient, click [NEXT] to bypass screen if all the information is not available on the schedules.

STEP 11         If petition is deficient, deficiency list will display. Place a check next to all missing schedules. Click [NEXT]

STEP 12         Attach a completed copy of form B1: Voluntary Petition in .pdf format; click [NEXT]

Note – Please ensure that the form is correctly filled out and the file is a .pdf

STEP 13         If the petition is deficient, the incomplete filings due date and 45 day automatic dismissal date will display. Click [NEXT]           

STEP 14         Select either Yes or No in the Presumption Arises Box; click [NEXT]

STEP 15         The screen will notify you that the fee for filing a Ch 7 case is $335; click [NEXT]

STEP 16         Click [NEXT]

STEP 17         Docket text displays.  Review for accuracy.  If modification is necessary, abort the transaction and begin again. Modifications cannot be made on this screen.

                      SAMPLE DOCKET TEXT

                      Chapter 7 Voluntary Petition Filed by Test Attorney on behalf of Client. (Test Atty)

STEP 18        Summary of Charges Screen will display.  Select Pay Now or Continue Filing.  DO NOT close this window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

1.  If you select Pay Now, be sure to print for your records the payment confirmation screen which contains a receipt number for this transaction.

2.  If you select Continue Filing, please note  it is the court's policy that all fees be paid by the end of the day.  Attorneys with outstanding balances will receive an automated e:mail reminder and will be locked out of CM/ECF  if the fee remains outstanding for 3 days.   

STEP 19         Notice of Electronic Filing displays.