PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL ... - …

2017 AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE
Rule1001. Scope of Rules and Forms; Short Title
The Bankruptcy Rules and Forms govern procedure in cases under title 11 of the United States Code. The rules shall be cited as the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the forms as the Official Bankruptcy Forms. These rules shall be construed, administered, and employed by the court and the partiesto secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every case and proceeding.
Rule 1006.FilingFee
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE IN INSTALLMENTS.(1)Applicationto Pay Filing Fee in Installments. A voluntary petition by an individual shall be accepted for filing, regardless of whether any portion of the filing fee is paid,if accompanied by the debtor’s signed application, prepared as prescribed by the appropriate Official Form, stating that the debtor is unable to pay the filing fee except in installments.
Rule 1015. Consolidation or Joint Administrationof CasesPending in SameCourt
(b) CASES INVOLVING TWO OR MORE RELATED DEBTORS. If a joint petition or two or more petitions are pending in the same court by or against (1)a husband andwifespouses, or (2) a partnership and one or more of its general partners, or (3) two or more general partners, or (4) a debtor and an affiliate, the court may order a joint administration of the estates. Prior to entering an order the court shall give consideration to protecting creditors of different estates against potential conflicts of interest. An order directing joint administration of individual cases ofa husband andwifespousesshall, if one spouse has elected the exemptions under § 522(b)(2) of the Code and the other has elected the exemptions under § 522(b)(3), fix a reasonable time within which either may amend the election so that both shall have elected the same exemptions. The order shall notify the debtors that unless they elect the same exemptions within the time fixed by the court, they will be deemed to have elected the exemptions provided by § 522(b)(2).
Rule 3015. Filing, Objection to Confirmation,Effect of Confirmation,and Modification of a Plan in a Chapter 12Family Farmer’s Debt Adjustmentor a Chapter 13Individual’s Debt AdjustmentCase
(c)DATING. Every proposed plan and any modification thereof shall be dated.FORM OF CHAPTER 13 PLAN. If there is an Official Form for a plan filed in a chapter 13 case, that form must be used unless a Local Form has been adopted in compliance with Rule 3015.1. With either the Official Form or a Local Form, a nonstandard provision is effective only if it is included in a section of the form designated for nonstandard provisions and is also identified in accordance with any other requirements of the form. As used in this rule and the Official Form or a Local Form, “nonstandard provision” means a provision not otherwise included in the Official or Local Form or deviating from it.(d) NOTICEAND COPIES.If the planThe plan or a summary of the plan shall beis notincluded withtheeachnotice of the hearing on confirmation mailedunderpursuant toRule 2002, the debtorshallserve the plan on the trustee and all creditors when it is filed with the court.If required by the court, the debtor shall furnish a sufficient number of copies to enable the clerk to include a copy of the plan with the notice of the hearing.
(f) OBJECTION TO CONFIRMATION; DETERMINATION OF GOOD FAITH IN THE ABSENCE OF AN OBJECTION. An objection to confirmation of a plan shall be filed and served on the debtor, the trustee, and any other entity designated by the court, and shall be transmitted to the United States trustee,before confirmation of the planat least seven days before the date set for the hearing on confirmation, unless the court orders otherwise. An objection to confirmation is governed by Rule 9014. If no objection is timely filed, the court may determine that the plan has been proposed in good faith and not by any means forbidden by law without receiving evidence on such issues.(g) EFFECT OF CONFIRMATION. Upon the confirmation of a chapter 12 or chapter 13 plan:(1) any determination in the plan made under Rule 3012 about the amount of a secured claim is binding on the holder of the claim, even if the holder files a contrary proof of claim or the debtor schedules that claim, and regardless of whether an objection to the claim has been filed; and(2) any request in the plan to terminate the stay imposed by § 362(a), § 1201(a), or § 1301(a) is granted.(g)(h)MODIFICATION OF PLAN AFTER CONFIRMATION. A request to modify a planpursuant tounder§ 1229 or § 1329 of the Code shall identify the proponent and shall be filed together with the proposed modification. The clerk, or some other person as the court may direct, shall give the debtor, the trustee, and all creditors not less than 21 days’ notice by mail of the time fixed for filing objections and, if an objection is filed, the hearing to consider the proposed modification, unless the court orders otherwise with respect to creditors who are not affected by the proposed modification. A copy of the notice shall be transmitted to the United States trustee. A copy of the proposed modification, or a summary thereof, shall be included with the notice.If required by the court, the proponent shall furnish a sufficient number of copies of the proposed modification, or a summary thereof, to enable the clerk to include a copy with each notice.Any objection to the proposed modification shall be filed and served on the debtor, the trustee, and any other entity designated by the court, and shall be transmitted to the United States trustee. An objection to a proposed modification is governed by Rule 9014.
Rule 2002. Notices to Creditors, Equity Security Holders, Administrators in Foreign Proceedings, Persons Against Whom Provisional Relief is Sought in Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases, United States, and United StatesTrustee
(a)Twenty-One-Day Notices to Parties in Interest. Except as provided in subdivisions (h), (i), (l), (p), and (q) of this rule, the clerk, or some other person as the court may direct, shall give the debtor, the trustee, all creditors and indenture trustees at least 21 days’ notice by mail of:(7) the time fixed for filing proofs of claims pursuant to Rule 3003(c);and(8) the time fixed for filing objections and the hearing to consider confirmation of a chapter 12 plan; and(9) the time fixed for filing objections to confirmation of a chapter 13 plan.
(b) TWENTY-EIGHT-DAY NOTICES TO Parties in Interest.Except as provided in subdivision (l) of this rule, the clerk, or some other person as the court may direct, shall give the debtor, the trustee, all creditors and indenture trustees not less than 28 days’ notice by mail of the time fixed (1) for filing objections and the hearing to consider approval of a disclosure statement or, under § 1125(f), to make a final determination whether the plan provides adequate information so that a separate disclosure statement is not necessary;and(2) for filing objections and the hearing to consider confirmation of a chapter 9,orchapter 11, or chapter 13plan; and (3) for the hearing to consider confirmation of a chapter 13 plan.
Rule 3002.Filing Proof of Claim orInterest
(a) NECESSITY FOR FILING.AnA secured creditor,unsecured creditor,oranequity security holder must file a proof of claim or interest for the claim or interest to be allowed, except as provided in Rules 1019(3), 3003, 3004, and 3005.A lien that secures a claim against the debtor is not void due only to the failure of any entity to file a proof of claim.(b) PLACE OF FILING. A proof of claim or interest shall be filed in accordance with Rule 5005.(c) TIME FOR FILING. In avoluntarychapter 7liquidationcase, chapter 12family farmer’s debtadjustmentcase, or chapter 13individual’s debtadjustmentcase, a proof of claim is timely filed if it is filed not later than9070days afterthe order for relief under that chapter or the date of the order of conversion toacase under chapter 12 or chapter 13. In an involuntary chapter 7 case, a proof of claim is timely filed if it is filed not later than 90 days after the order for relief under that chapter isentered.thefirst date set for the meeting of creditors called under § 341(a) of the Code, except asfollows:
Butin all these cases, the following exceptions apply:(6)If notice of the time to file a proof of claim has been mailed to a creditor at a foreign address,oOnmotion filed bytheacreditor before or after the expiration of the timeto file a proof of claim, the court may extend the time by not more than 60 daysfrom the date of the order granting the motion. The motion may be grantedif the court finds thatthe notice was insufficient under the circumstances to give the creditor a reasonable time to file a proof of claim.:(A) the notice was insufficient under the circumstances to give the creditor a reasonable time to file a proof of claim because the debtor failed to timely file the list of creditors’ names and addresses required by Rule 1007(a); or(B) the notice was insufficient under the circumstances to give the creditor a reasonable time to file a proof of claim, and the notice was mailed to the creditor at a foreign address.
(7) A proof of claim filed by the holder of a claim that is secured by a security interest in the debtor’s principal residence is timely filed if:(A) the proof of claim, together with the attachments required by Rule 3001(c)(2)(C), is filed not later than 70 days after the order for relief is entered; and(B) any attachments required by Rule 3001(c)(1) and (d) are filed as a supplement to the holder’s claim not later than 120 days after the order for relief is entered.
(a)OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMSTIME AND MANNER OF SERVICE.(1)Time of Service.An objection to the allowance of a claimand a notice of objection that substantially conforms to the appropriate Official Formshall bein writing andfiled.and served at least 30 days before any scheduled hearing on the objection or any deadline for the claimant to request a hearing.A copy of the objection with notice of the hearing thereon shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the claimant, the debtor or debtor in possession, and the trustee at least 30 days prior to the hearing.
Rule 3007. Objections to Claims
(2)Manner of Service.
Theobjection and notice shall be served on a claimant by first-class mail to the person most recently designated on the claimant’s original or amended proof of claim as the person to receive notices, at the address so indicated; andifthe objection is to a claim of the United States, or any of its officers or agencies, in the manner provided for service of a summons and complaint by Rule 7004(b)(4) or (5); orifthe objection is to a claim of an insured depository institution, in the manner provided by Rule 7004(h).(B) Serviceof the objection and notice shall also be made by first-class mail or other permitted means on the debtor or debtor in possession, the trustee, and, if applicable, the entity filing the proof of claim under Rule 3005.
Rule3012.ValuationofSecurityDeterminingthe Amount of Secured and Priority Claims
The court may determine the value of a claim secured by a lien on property in which the estate has an interest on motion of any party in interest and after a hearing on notice to the holder of the secured claim and any other entity as the court may direct.(a) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF CLAIM. On request by a party in interest and after notice—to the holder of the claim and any other entity the court designates—and a hearing, the court may determine:(1) the amount of a secured claim under § 506(a) of the Code; or(2) the amount of a claim entitled to priority under § 507 of the Code.(b) REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION; HOW MADE. Except as provided in subdivision (c), a request to determine the amount of a secured claim may be made by motion, in a claim objection, or in a plan filed in a chapter 12 or chapter 13 case. When the request is made in a chapter 12 or chapter 13 plan, the plan shall be served on the holder of the claim and any other entity the court designates in the manner provided for service of a summons and complaint by Rule 7004. A request to determine the amount of a claim entitled to priority may be made only by motion after a claim is filed or in a claim objection.(c) CLAIMS OF GOVERNMENTAL UNITS. A request to determine the amount of a secured claim of a governmental unit may be made only by motion or in a claim objection afterthegovernmental unit files a proof of claim or after the time for filing one under Rule 3002(c)(1) has expired.
Rule 4003. Exemptions
(d) AVOIDANCE BY DEBTOR OF TRANSFERS OF EXEMPT PROPERTY. A proceedingunder § 522(f)by the debtorto avoid a lien or other transfer of property exempt under§ 522(f) ofthe Code shall becommencedby motionin the manner provided byin accordance withRule 9014, or by serving a chapter 12 or chapter 13 plan on the affected creditors in the manner provided by Rule 7004 for service of a summons and complaint. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a creditor may object to amotionfiledrequestunder § 522(f) by challenging the validity of the exemption asserted to be impaired by the lien.
Rule5009. Closing Chapter 7Liquidation, Chapter 12Family Farmer’s Debt Adjustment, Chapter 13Individual’s Debt Adjustment, and Chapter 15Ancillary and Cross-BorderCases; Order Declaring Lien Satisfied
(d) ORDER DECLARING LIEN SATISFIED.In a chapter 12 or chapter 13 case, if a claim that was secured by property of the estate is subject to a lien under applicablenonbankruptcylaw, the debtor may request entry of an order declaring that the secured claim has been satisfied and the lien has been released under the termsofa confirmed plan. The request shall be made by motion and shall be served on the holder of the claim and any other entity the court designates in the manner provided by Rule 7004 for service of a summons and complaint.
Rule 7001. Scope of Rules of PartVII
An adversary proceeding is governed by the rules of this Part VII. The following are adversary proceedings:* * * * *(2) a proceeding to determine the validity, priority, or extent of a lien or other interest in property,other thanbut nota proceeding underRule 3012 orRule 4003(d);
Rule 9009.Forms
(a) OFFICIAL FORMS.Except as otherwise provided in Rule 3016(d), theTheOfficial Forms prescribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States shall beobserved andusedwith alterations as may be appropriatewithout alteration, except as otherwise provided in these rules, in a particular Official Form, or in the national instructions for a particular Official Form.Forms may be combined and their contents rearranged to permit economies in their use.Official Forms may be modified to permit minor changes not affecting wording or the order of presenting information, including changes that:(1) expandthe prescribed areas for responses in order to permit complete responses;(2) deletespace not needed for responses; or(3) deleteitems requiring detail in a question or category if the filer indicates—either by checking “no” or “none” or by stating in words—that there is nothing to report on that question or category.(b) DIRECTOR’S FORMS.The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts may issue additional forms for use under the Code.(c) CONSTRUCTION.The forms shall be construed to be consistent with these rules and the Code.
Rule 1007 – 1Lists, Schedules and Statements.
RequiredLists, Schedules and Statements. Required lists, schedules and statements offinancialaffairs shall be filed in accordance with the Fed. R.Bankr. P., the Code andthese LocalRules and shall be in compliance with the appropriate Official Form and LocalForms,ifany. The Clerk's Office Procedures should be consulted for a list ofsuch requirements.Ifafiling party wishes to redact or omit information required by any OfficialBankruptcy Form, such party must file a motion seeking approval to do so on or before the datethe subjectform is filed.Rule3011-1Deposit or Release of Funds Paid into the Registry of theCourt(c) Claimants. A completed IRS Form W-9 or AO 213 Form is required for processing ofpaymentsofunclaimed funds and must be submitted with the motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2042 forunclaimedfunds.
Rule 7001 – 1 Scope of Rules – Adversary Proceedings
(a)Deviation From Rules Governing Adversary Proceedings.(i)Any party seeking relief that deviates in any manner from, or proposes additional obligations or procedures set forth in, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Fed. R. ofBankr. P., the District Court Rules, or the Local Rules governing Adversary Proceedings (the “Rules Governing Adversary Proceedings”), except a motion limited to a request for additional time to affect service of process under the applicable Rules, shall file a motion identifying with specificity the following:(A) Each instance in which the relief sought by and through such motion deviates from, or seeksproceduresor obligations in addition to, any of the Rules Governing Adversary Proceedings; and(B) Thegood faith reason(s) the movant seeks to deviate from, or seeks procedures or obligations inadditionto, such Rules Governing Adversary Proceedings.(ii) Any motion for relief brought pursuant to this Local Rule by the party initiating an adversary proceeding shall be served on all parties to the adversary proceeding in accordance with the service requirements of these Local Rules and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and shall not include an objection deadline earlier than the date by which the party is required to answer, move or otherwise respond to the complaint.(iii) Any motion brought pursuant to this Local Rule shall be scheduled to be heard by the Court no earlier than the initial scheduling conference for the affected adversary proceeding. (See also L.R. 7016-1)(iv) Any relief sought in a motion brought pursuant to this Local Rule which is granted by the Court shall apply only to the specific adversary proceeding(s) in which the motion is filed.
Rule 7008-1Statement in Pleadings Regarding Consent to Entry of Order or Judgment inCoreAdversaryProceedingInan adversary proceeding before the Court, in addition to statements required by Rule 7008(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, and third-party complaint shall contain a statement that thepleaderReferenceis made to the requirement of Fed. R.Bankr. P. 7008 that a pleader state whether the partydoes or does not consent to the entry of final orders or judgments by the Courtif it is determined that the Court, absent consent of the parties, cannot enter final orders or judgments consistent with Article III of the United States Constitution. If no such statement is included, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the pleader shall have waived the right to contest the authority of the Court to enter final orders or judgments.Rule 9027-1StatementStatementsin Notice of Removalor Related FilingsRegarding Consent to Entry of Order or Judgment in Core ProceedingIf(anotice of removal is filed pursuant toRule)Referenceis made to the requirement of Fed. R.Bankr. P.9027(a)(1)of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, itshallthata notice of removal mustcontain a statement thatupon removal of the claim or cause of actionthe partyremovingfilingtheproceedingnoticedoes or does not consent totheentry of final orders orjudgmentsjudgmentby the Courtif it is determined that the Court, absent consent of the parties, cannot enter final orders or judgments consistent with Article III of the United States Constitution. If no such statement is included,the filingpartyunlessotherwise ordered by the Court, the party filing the notice of removalshall have waived the right to contest the authority of the Court to enter final orders or judgments.Rule 9029-1Statement in Response to Notice of Removal Regarding Consent to Entry of Order or Judgment in CoreProceedingAnystatement filed pursuant to Rule 9027(e)(3) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure by a party toa(b)Reference is made to the requirement of Fed. R.Bankr. P. 9027(e) that any party who has filed a pleading in connection with theremoved claim or cause of actionshall contain, other than the party filing the notice of removal, must filea statement that the party does or does not consent totheentry of final orders orjudgmentsjudgmentby the Courtif it is determined that the Court, absent consent of the parties, cannot enter final orders or judgments consistent with Article III of the United States Constitution. If no such statement is included, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the filing party shall have waived the right to contest the authority of the Court to enter final orders or judgments.
Rule 7016-2Pretrial ConferenceApretrial conference shall be held if scheduled in a scheduling order issued under Local Rule 7016-1(b) (the "Scheduling Order") or if requested by a party under this Local Rule.PretrialOrder. At least seven (7) days prior to the final pretrial conference, the attorney for the plaintiff shall file with the Court an original and one (1) copy of a proposed pretrial order, signed by an attorney for each party, that covers the following items, as appropriate:(iii)Whetherthebankruptcy court has adjudicatory authority to render finalordersand judgments in the proceeding, either on the basis of the nature of the claims or through consent of theparties;proposedorder addresses the subject matters required to be addressed by Fed. R.Bankr. P. 7016(b);
Rule 9018-1Exhibits; Documents under Seal;ConfidentialityRemovalof Exhibits from Court. Exhibits that are in the custody of the Clerk shall be removed by the party responsible for the exhibits (i) if no appeal has been taken, at the expiration of the time for taking an appeal, or (ii) if an appeal has been taken, withinthirtytwenty-eight(3028) days after the record on appeal has been returned to the Clerk. Parties failing to comply with this Local Rule shall be notified by the Clerk to remove their exhibits and, upon failure to do so withinthirtytwenty-eight(3028) days of such notification, the Clerk may dispose of the exhibits.Documentsunder Seal. Any party who seeks to file documents under seal must file a motion to thateffect. The proposed sealed documents shall be filed separately from the motion, as restricted documents, in accordance with CM/ECF procedures.Unless the Court orders otherwise, within three (3) days of the filing of the motion to seal, the filing party shall file a publicly viewable redacted form of the document.In the event the Court grants the motion to file under seal, counsel for the movant shall, in those instances where a portion but not all of a document are ordered to be sealed, file afinal form of thepublicly viewable version of the filing(s) with the sealed portion(s) redacted in accordance with CM/ECF procedures. In the event the Court denies the motion to file under seal, the Clerk shall take such action as the Court may direct. If a motion to file under seal is filed in connection with an objection, reply or sur-reply and the applicable hearing date is less than twenty-one days after the objection, reply or sur-reply is filed, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a motion to shorten notice shall not be required and the Court will consider the motion to file under seal at the applicable hearing date and any objections to the motion to file under seal may be presented at the hearing.Except with respect to redactions subject to Local Rule 9037-1, no document containing any redaction(s) made by the party filing the document may be filed with the Clerk's Office unless the filing party simultaneously files anunredactedcopy of the same under seal and follows all requirements of this subsection with respect to the same.
Rule 3023-1Special Procedures in Chapter 13MattersThisLocal Rule shall govern all cases filed under chapter 13 of the Code.Withinthirty (30)days after the debtor completes all payments under the plan, the Trustee will file and serve on the Servicer/mortgagee, debtor and debtor's counsel a Notice of Final Cure and Completion of Plan Payments. Withintwenty-one (21)days of service of this Notice the debtor shall file an executed Local Form 104, and the servicer/mortgagee shall file and serve on the debtor, debtor's counsel and the Trustee an itemized statement as required under Fed.Bankr. Rule 3002.1(g) indicating whether it agrees that the debtor has paid in full the amount required to cure any default and whether the debtor is otherwise current on all payments. Absence of the filing of the servicer/mortgagee statement shall be deemed consent to the contents of the Notice of Final Cure and Completion of Plan Payments.Should the servicer/mortgagee file a response under Fed.Bankr. Rule 3002.1(g) alleging unpaid cure amounts due, within twenty-one (21) days of the filing of the response, and if the response asserts unpaid plan arrears amounts, the Trustee shall submit to the servicer/mortgagee evidence of payments made for any allowed arrears claim paid under the plan and file a certification with the court. If the response asserts unpaidpostpetitionamounts not paid under the plan, the debtor shall submit to the servicer/mortgagee evidence of payments for all requiredpostpetitionamounts due and file a certification with the court. If a party fails to timely comply with the requirements of this Local Rule, the court may, after notice and hearing, take such action as appropriate including the actions set forth in Fed.Bankr. Rule 3002.1(i). The submissions shall be considered by the Court along with the Notice of Final Cure, the response and itemized statement, upon Notice and Hearing scheduled pursuant to Fed.Bankr. Rule 3002.1(h). The date of the Notice of Final Cure shall be the operative date for determination of the amount due for any default.