United States Bankruptcy Court (2025)
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United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Missouri
Dana C. McWay
Clerk of Court
LOCAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE
(as revised effective December 1, 2025)
Adopted by:
Honorable Bonnie L. Clair, Chief Judge
Honorable Kathy A. Surratt-States
Honorable Brian C. Walsh
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION - SCOPE OF RULES .....................................................................................................1
L.R. 1001 - Scope of Rules and Forms; Short Title. ..........................................................................1
A.
Title and Citation. ..........................................................................................................................1
B.
Application. ....................................................................................................................................1
C.
Effective Date. ................................................................................................................................1
D.
District Court Rules. ......................................................................................................................1
E.
Procedures Manual........................................................................................................................1
F.
Definitions. .....................................................................................................................................2
G.
CM/ECF Event Codes. ..................................................................................................................2
H.
Conforming Changes. ....................................................................................................................2
PART I. COMMENCEMENT OF CASE; PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO PETITION AND ORDER
FOR RELIEF ......................................................................................................................................3
L.R. 1002 - Case Commencement. ........................................................................................................3
A.
Declination of Filing. ....................................................................................................................3
B.
Chapter 7 Cases. ............................................................................................................................3
C.
Chapter 11 Cases. ..........................................................................................................................4
D.
Chapter 12 Cases. ..........................................................................................................................5
E.
Chapter 13 Cases. ..........................................................................................................................6
F.
Filing Fees. ....................................................................................................................................6
G.
Order and Notice of Documents Due. ...........................................................................................6
H.
Service of Amended Petition..........................................................................................................6
L.R. 1006 - Payment of Filing Fees in Installments or Waiver of Filing Fee. ...............................7
A.
General Requirements. ..................................................................................................................7
B.
Waiver of Filing Fee in Chapter 7 Cases......................................................................................7
L.R. 1007-1 - Means Testing and Current Income Calculations. ....................................................7
A.
Median Family Income. ................................................................................................................7
B.
Monthly Expenses. .........................................................................................................................7
C.
Documentation Supporting Means Test. ......................................................................................8
L.R. 1007-2 - Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1) Filing Requirements.................................................8
A.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv). ............................................................................................8
B.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(v). .............................................................................................9
C.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(vi). ............................................................................................9
L.R. 1007-3 - Bankruptcy Code § 521(c) Education Accounts. .......................................................9
L.R. 1007-4 - Bankruptcy Code § 521 Tax Returns and Requests. ................................................9
A.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(e)(2) - Tax Returns Filed with the Taxing Authority Pre-Petition. .....9
B.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(f) - Tax Returns Filed with the Taxing Authority Post-Petition. .........9
L.R. 1007-5 - Credit Counseling. ...........................................................................................................9
A.
Certificate of Credit Counseling....................................................................................................9
B.
Certificate of Exigent Circumstances. ........................................................................................10
L.R. 1007-6 - Extension of Time to File Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs. ..........10
A.
General Procedures. ....................................................................................................................10
B.
Dismissal for Failure to File Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs. ..........................10
L.R. 1007-7 - Matrix. .............................................................................................................................10
A.
General Requirements. ................................................................................................................10
B.
Matrix to Include Child Support Enforcement Agency. ............................................................10
C.
United States Attorney’s Office, Missouri Department of Revenue, and U.S. Internal Revenue
Service. .........................................................................................................................................11
L.R. 1007-8 - Amended Statement of Social Security Number. ....................................................11
L.R. 1009 - Amended Schedules and/or Matrix. .............................................................................11
A.
Content of Amended Schedule or Matrix. ..................................................................................11
B.
Service. .........................................................................................................................................11
C.
Large Chapter 11 Cases. ..............................................................................................................12
D.
Form Notice in Chapter 7 Individual Cases. ..............................................................................12
E.
Extension of Deadline for Objection to Discharge.....................................................................12
L.R. 1015 - Joint Administration and Affiliated Debtor Cases. .....................................................12
A.
Joint Cases. ..................................................................................................................................12
B.
Affiliated Debtor Cases in Chapter 11. .......................................................................................12
1.
Designation of Lead Case. ..............................................................................................13
2.
Docket. .............................................................................................................................13
3.
Style of Court Documents. .............................................................................................13
4.
Claims. .............................................................................................................................13
L.R. 1016 – Notice of Death of Debtor. ..............................................................................................13
L.R. 1017-1 - Motions to Dismiss. .......................................................................................................13
A.
General. ........................................................................................................................................13
B.
Motions to Dismiss for Failure to Provide or File Required Documents. .................................13
C.
Motions to Dismiss for Failure to Appear at § 341 Meeting. .....................................................13
D.
Dismissal in Chapter 13 Cases - General Provisions. ................................................................14
E.
Amended Plan or Other Responses to the Chapter 13 Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss for Failure
to Make Plan Payments. ..............................................................................................................14
F.
Amended Plans in Response to Chapter 13 Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of
Feasibility. ....................................................................................................................................14
L.R. 1017-2 - Motions to Reinstate Following Dismissal for Failure to File or Provide
Required Documents or Attend § 341 Meeting. .....................................................................14
A.
Time and Content.........................................................................................................................14
B.
Hearing, Service, Order. ..............................................................................................................15
C.
Effect of Reinstatement on Deadlines. ........................................................................................15
L.R. 1017-3 - Motions to Reinstate Following Dismissal on Trustee's Motion to Dismiss for
Failure to Make Plan Payments. ................................................................................................15
A.
Time, Content, and Service..........................................................................................................15
B.
Order Regarding Reinstatement. .................................................................................................15
C.
Effect of Reinstatement on Deadlines. ........................................................................................15
L.R. 1019 - Conversions........................................................................................................................15
A.
General Filing Requirements in a Converted Case. ...................................................................15
1.
Matrix, Verification of Matrix, and Attorney Compensation Disclosure Statement.
15
2.
Individual Debtors. .........................................................................................................16
3.
Debtors that are not Individuals. ..................................................................................17
4.
Means Test/Statement of Current Monthly Income Forms........................................17
B.
Reconversion of Certain Chapter 13 Cases. ...............................................................................18
C.
Initial Debtor Interview upon Conversion to Chapter 11. .........................................................18
L.R. 1030 - Requests for Documents..................................................................................................18
L.R. 1040 - Access to Filed Tax Documents. .....................................................................................18
A.
General Provisions. ......................................................................................................................18
B.
Disposition of Tax Documents. ...................................................................................................19
PART II.
ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE .................................................................................20
L.R. 2002-1 - Address for Service. ......................................................................................................20
A.
Address for Service. .....................................................................................................................20
B.
Certain Government Entities. ......................................................................................................20
C.
Service on Registered Agent. .......................................................................................................20
L.R. 2002-2 - Notice of Commencement of Case and § 341 Meeting. ..........................................20
A.
Service and Form of Notice. ........................................................................................................20
B.
Child Support Claimants. ............................................................................................................20
L.R. 2002-3 - Returned Notices. ..........................................................................................................21
L.R. 2003 - § 341 Meetings...................................................................................................................21
A.
Requests to Continue or Reschedule the § 341 Meeting, Notice of Re-setting, and Extension.
......................................................................................................................................................21
B.
Continuance of the § 341 Meeting Announced at Meeting. ......................................................21
C.
Failure to Attend the § 341 Meeting. ..........................................................................................22
D.
Required Documents at the § 341 Meeting. ................................................................................22
E.
Waiver of Attendance...................................................................................................................22
L.R. 2004 - Motion for Examination under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004. .............................................22
A.
Parties to Confer. .........................................................................................................................22
B.
Consent Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 Motions. ..................................................................................22
C.
Contested Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 Motions.................................................................................22
L.R. 2014 - Employment of Professionals.........................................................................................23
A.
General Requirements. ................................................................................................................23
B.
Employment of Counsel for Debtors in Chapter 13 Cases.........................................................23
L.R. 2015-1 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 12 Case.............................................................................23
A.
Duties on Commencement of Case. ............................................................................................23
B.
Duty to Disclose Disposable Income. ..........................................................................................23
L.R. 2015-2 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 13 Case.............................................................................24
A.
Wage Order. .................................................................................................................................24
B.
Disclosure of Material Change in Financial Condition. ...........................................................24
C.
Insurance on Motor Vehicles in Chapter 13 Cases. ...................................................................24
1.
Required Coverage. ........................................................................................................24
2.
Proof of Insurance Coverage. ........................................................................................24
L.R. 2015-3 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 11 Case.............................................................................24
A.
General Requirements. ................................................................................................................24
B.
Insurance Requirements - Debtor-in-Possession. ......................................................................24
1.
General Requirements....................................................................................................24
2.
Proof of Insurance. .........................................................................................................25
C.
Subchapter V Specific Duties ......................................................................................................25
L.R. 2016-1 - Compensation of Professionals. .................................................................................25
A.
Disclosure of Compensation and Pre-petition Retainers. ..........................................................25
B.
Applications for Compensation. ..................................................................................................25
1.
Format of Application for Compensation. ...................................................................25
2.
Service of Applications for Compensation. ..................................................................26
C.
Reimbursement of Expenses .......................................................................................................26
D.
Objections to Applications for Compensation. ...........................................................................26
1.
In all Cases Except Chapter 11......................................................................................26
2.
In Chapter 11 Cases........................................................................................................26
E.
Hearings on Applications for Compensation. ............................................................................26
1.
Negative Notice in all Cases Except Chapter 11. .........................................................26
2.
Chapter 11 Cases. ...........................................................................................................26
L.R. 2016-2 - Payment of Professional Fees in Chapter 11 Cases. ...............................................27
A.
General Requirements in Chapter 11 Cases. ..............................................................................27
B.
Monthly Bills (Fee Statements) in Chapter 11 Cases. ................................................................27
C.
Interim Applications in Chapter 11 Cases. .................................................................................27
L.R. 2016-3 - Employment and Compensation of Debtor’s Counsel in Chapter 13 Cases. ......27
A.
Fee Election Requirements. ........................................................................................................27
1.
Flat Fee Option. ..............................................................................................................27
2.
Fee Application Option. .................................................................................................27
B.
Service of Applications. ...............................................................................................................28
C.
Fees upon Pre-confirmation Case Dismissal. ............................................................................28
L.R. 2016-4 - Payment of Chapter 12 Trustee Fees. .......................................................................28
L.R. 2090 - Attorney Admission. .........................................................................................................28
A.
General Admission to Practice before the Bankruptcy Court....................................................28
B.
Admission Pro Hac Vice and Local Counsel. .............................................................................29
1.
Motion. .............................................................................................................................29
2.
Local Counsel. .................................................................................................................29
3.
Appearance without Pro Hac Vice Admission. ............................................................29
L.R. 2091 - Withdrawal of Counsel. ...................................................................................................29
A.
General Requirements. ................................................................................................................29
B.
Chapter 13 Attorneys Fees. .........................................................................................................30
L.R. 2092 - Attorney Changes of Address. ........................................................................................30
L.R. 2093 - Professional Conduct and Obligations of Attorneys. .................................................30
A.
Professional Conduct. ..................................................................................................................30
B.
Duty to Confer. .............................................................................................................................30
C.
Obligations of Attorneys. .............................................................................................................30
L.R. 2094 - Attorney Discipline...........................................................................................................31
A.
Disbarment or Suspension by Another Court. ............................................................................31
B.
Request for Reinstatement. ..........................................................................................................31
C.
Non-exclusivity.............................................................................................................................31
PART III - A.
CLAIMS AND DISTRIBUTION TO CREDITORS ......................................................32
L.R. 3001 - Proofs of Claim. .................................................................................................................32
A.
Form. ............................................................................................................................................32
B.
Exhibits.........................................................................................................................................32
C.
Service of Proof of Claim in Chapter 7, 12 and 13 Cases. .........................................................32
D.
Transferred Claims. .....................................................................................................................32
E.
Chapter 13 Liens on Principal Residence - Evidentiary Effect. ................................................32
L.R. 3002 - General Proof of Claim Filing Provisions. ....................................................................32
A.
Chapter 7. .....................................................................................................................................32
B.
Conversions. .................................................................................................................................32
C.
Lease Rejection and Avoidance Action Claims. .........................................................................33
L.R. 3002.1 - Notice Relating to Claims Secured by Security Interest in the Debtor’s
Principal Residence. ....................................................................................................................33
A.
Filing. ...........................................................................................................................................33
B.
Motion for Determination of Final Cure and Payment. ............................................................33
C.
Closing Case. ................................................................................................................................33
D.
Surrender or Stay Relief. .............................................................................................................33
E.
Creditor’s Attorney Fees in Chapter 13 Cases ...........................................................................33
L.R. 3003 - Additional Proof of Claim Filing Provisions for Chapter 11 Cases. .........................34
A.
Claims Bar Date. ..........................................................................................................................34
B.
Notice of Bar Date. ......................................................................................................................34
C.
Newly Added Creditors. ...............................................................................................................34
L.R. 3004 - Filing of Claims by Debtor. ..............................................................................................34
L.R. 3007 - Objections to Claims. ........................................................................................................34
A.
In all Cases Except Chapter 13. ..................................................................................................34
B.
Chapter 13 Claim Objections. .....................................................................................................34
C.
Omnibus Objections. ....................................................................................................................35
D.
Claim Objections Based on Lien Avoidance. ..............................................................................35
L.R. 3010 – Small Dividends and Payments .....................................................................................35
L.R. 3011 – Unclaimed Funds and Registry Funds. .........................................................................35
PART III – B. CHAPTER 11, 12 AND 13 PLANS AND PROCEDURES FOR CONFIRMATION .......36
L.R. 3015-1 – Chapter 12 Plans – Plan Contents..............................................................................36
A.
Payments to Trustee for Fees. .....................................................................................................36
B.
“Reasonable Time” to Cure Defaults under Bankruptcy Code § 1222(b)(5)............................36
C.
Turnover of Collateral. ................................................................................................................36
D.
Treatment of Claims. ...................................................................................................................36
E.
Distribution on Secured Claims ..................................................................................................36
F.
Interest on Secured Claims..........................................................................................................36
G.
Payments through the Plan. ........................................................................................................37
L.R. 3015-2 - Chapter 13 Plans - Plan Contents. ..............................................................................37
A.
“Reasonable Time” to Cure Defaults under Bankruptcy Code § 1322(b)(5)............................37
B.
Turnover of Collateral. ................................................................................................................37
C.
Minimum Distribution to Unsecured Creditors. .........................................................................37
D.
Payments by the Debtor Directly to the Creditor. .......................................................................37
E.
Interest on Secured Claims..........................................................................................................38
F.
Monthly Payments. ......................................................................................................................38
G.
Payment of Chapter 13 Attorneys Fees through Plan................................................................38
H.
Valuation and Treatment of Secured Vehicle Claims. ...............................................................38
I.
Treatment of Claims. ...................................................................................................................38
J.
Distribution on Secured Claims. .................................................................................................39
K.
Adequate Protection in Chapter 13 Cases. .................................................................................39
L.R. 3015-3 - Chapter 12 and 13 Plans - Form and Filing. .............................................................39
A.
Mandatory Model Plan. ...............................................................................................................39
B.
Designation, Caption, and Signature on Chapter 12 and 13 Plans. ..........................................39
C.
Service of Plan and Amended Plans. ..........................................................................................39
D.
Prohibition of Modification by Interlineation. ...........................................................................39
L.R. 3015-4 - Chapter 12 and 13 Plans - Confirmation Procedures. ...........................................40
A.
Original Confirmation Hearing. .................................................................................................40
B.
Attendance at Confirmation Hearings. .......................................................................................40
C.
Certification of Payment of DSOs and Taxes as a Condition for Confirmation. .....................40
D.
Trustee’s Certification Concerning Confirmation .....................................................................40
E.
“Substantially Current.” ..............................................................................................................40
F.
Trustee to Provide Order. ............................................................................................................40
G.
Objections to Original Plan. ........................................................................................................41
H.
Pre-confirmation Amended Plans. ..............................................................................................41
I.
Objections to Pre-confirmation Amended Plans. .......................................................................41
J.
Service of Chapter 12 Confirmation Order. ...............................................................................41
L.R. 3015-5 - Chapter 12 and 13 Plans - Post-Confirmation Amendments and Modifications.
..........................................................................................................................................................41
A.
Motion to Approve or Confirm an Amended Plan. ....................................................................41
B.
Service of Motion to Approve or Confirm an Amended Plan. ...................................................41
1.
Generally. ........................................................................................................................41
2.
Limited Service. ..............................................................................................................41
C.
Objections to Motion to Approve or Confirm an Amended Plan. ..............................................42
D.
Confirmation and Trustee’s Certification. .................................................................................42
L.R. 3015-6 – Chapter 13 Suspension of Monthly Trustee Payments. ........................................42
A.
Request for Suspension of Monthly Trustee Payments. .............................................................42
B.
Treatment of Funds Remitted to Trustee Despite Court-Ordered Suspension. ........................42
C.
Treatment of Suspended Plan Payments. ...................................................................................42
D.
Limitation on Suspension of Monthly Trustee Payments. .........................................................42
L.R. 3017 - Plan Disclosure Statement in Chapter 11 Cases. ........................................................43
A.
Form and Service of Disclosure Statement. ...............................................................................43
B.
Notice of Chapter 11 Disclosure Statement and Hearing Thereon. ..........................................43
C.
Objection to Disclosure Statement. .............................................................................................43
D.
Notice of Approval of Disclosure Statement and Notice of Confirmation Hearing. ................43
L.R. 3017.1 – Small Business Chapter 11 Requirements. ..............................................................43
L.R. 3017.2 – Subchapter V Requirements. ......................................................................................44
L.R. 3018 - Acceptance or Rejection of Chapter 11 Plan. ..............................................................44
A.
Summary of the Ballots Cast. ......................................................................................................44
B.
Tabulation of Balloting. ..............................................................................................................44
C.
Preservation of Ballots.................................................................................................................45
L.R. 3020 - Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan. ..................................................................................45
A.
Objections to Confirmation. ........................................................................................................45
B.
Confirmation of a Chapter 11 Plan. ...........................................................................................45
C.
Certification of DSOs as a Condition for Confirmation of a Chapter 11 Plan. ........................46
L.R. 3021 - Distribution on Claims in Chapter 13 Cases. ...............................................................46
A.
Distribution Following Relief from the Automatic Stay. ...........................................................46
1.
Certain Lienholders Not Entitled to Share in Subsequent Distributions. .................46
2.
Option to Receive Continued Distributions. ................................................................46
B.
Distribution on Claims following Relief from the Automatic Stay against Co-Debtor.............46
C.
Post-petition Adjustments on Monthly Payments to a Creditor. ................................................46
D.
Payments to Secured Creditors after Minimum Distribution to Unsecureds. ...........................47
E.
Payments to Attorneys upon Disbarment or Suspension. ..........................................................47
F.
Chapter 13 Creditor Disclosure of Real Estate Mortgage Obligations. ....................................47
G.
Application of Payments Secured by Real Estate in Chapter 13 Cases. ....................................47
L.R. 3022 - Final Decree in Chapter 11 Cases. .................................................................................48
A.
Application for Final Decree. ......................................................................................................48
B.
Service of Application for Final Decree and Objections Thereto. .............................................48
PART IV. THE DEBTOR, DUTIES, AND BENEFITS ............................................................................49
L.R. 4001-1 - Relief from the Automatic Stay...................................................................................49
A.
Service of Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay. ............................................................49
B.
Hearings on Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay. ........................................................49
C.
Content of Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay. .............................................................49
1.
Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay to Foreclose on Collateral. ....................49
2.
Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay for All Other Purposes. .......................50
D.
Responses to Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay.........................................................50
E.
Duty to Confer. .............................................................................................................................50
F.
Consent Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay. ...............................................................50
1.
General Provisions. .........................................................................................................50
2.
Chapter 7 Cases. .............................................................................................................51
3.
Chapter 13 Cases. ...........................................................................................................51
G.
Orders on Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay. ............................................................51
H.
Mandatory Form Consent Order & Stipulation re: Relief from Stay on Real Property. ..........51
I.
Emergency and Ex Parte Relief from the Automatic Stay. ........................................................51
L.R. 4001-2 - Requests for Continuation of the Stay.......................................................................51
L.R. 4001-3 - Motion for Imposition of the Stay. .............................................................................51
L.R. 4001-4 - Motion for Order Confirming the Stay is Inapplicable. .........................................52
L.R. 4001-5 - Automatic Stay with Respect to Lessors of Real Property under Bankruptcy
Code § 362(l). ................................................................................................................................52
L.R. 4001-6 – Relief from the Co-Debtor Stay ..................................................................................53
A.
Service of Motions for Relief from the Co-Debtor Stay. ............................................................53
B.
Hearings on Motions for Relief from the Co-Debtor Stay. ........................................................53
C.
Responses to Motions for Relief from the Co-Debtor Stay. .......................................................53
D.
Other Procedures. ........................................................................................................................53
L.R. 4002-1 – Designation of Responsible Individual ....................................................................53
L.R. 4003-1 - Scheduling Exemptions. ...............................................................................................54
L.R. 4003-2 - Motion to Avoid Liens under Bankruptcy Code § 522(f)(1). ................................54
A.
Content and Service. ....................................................................................................................54
B.
Responses and Hearings. .............................................................................................................54
C.
Objections to Claims Based On Lien Avoidance. .......................................................................55
L.R. 4003-3 - Motion by Individual Debtor to Recover Tangible Personal Property Under §
542(a) .............................................................................................................................................55
L.R. 4004-1 - Discharge. .......................................................................................................................55
A.
Discharge in Chapter 12 Cases. ..................................................................................................55
1.
General Provisions. .........................................................................................................55
2.
Certification of Payment of DSOs as a Condition for Discharge - Chapter 12. ........55
B.
Discharge in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 Cases. ..................................................................................55
1.
General Provisions. .........................................................................................................55
2.
Certification of Payment of DSOs as a Condition for Discharge - Chapter 13. ........55
C.
Discharge in an Individual Chapter 11 Case. ............................................................................56
L.R. 4004-2 - Post-Petition Personal Financial Management. ......................................................56
A.
General Provisions. ......................................................................................................................56
B.
Relief from the Case being Closed without a Discharge. ...........................................................56
C.
Proof of Completion.....................................................................................................................56
D.
Exemption. ...................................................................................................................................56
E.
Filing. ...........................................................................................................................................56
L.R. 4004-3 - Closing of Case without Discharge. ............................................................................56
L.R. 4004-4 - Delay of Discharge. .......................................................................................................57
L.R. 4008 - Reaffirmation Agreements. ............................................................................................57
PART V.
COURT AND CLERK’S OFFICE OPERATIONS .............................................................58
L.R. 5005 - Filing and Transmittal of Papers. ..................................................................................58
A.
Electronic Filing. .........................................................................................................................58
B.
Consent to Electronic Service and Effect of Notice. ..................................................................58
C.
Location, Place and Manner of Filing. ......................................................................................58
D.
Documents Declined for Filing. ..................................................................................................58
L.R. 5009 - Closing Procedures. ..........................................................................................................59
A.
Closing Procedures in Chapter 12 Cases. ...................................................................................59
B.
Closing Procedures in Chapter 7 Cases. .....................................................................................59
C.
Closing Procedures in Chapter 13 Cases ....................................................................................59
D.
Closing Procedures in Chapter 11 Cases. ...................................................................................60
L.R. 5011 - Withdrawal of Reference. ...............................................................................................60
A.
Time and Manner. .......................................................................................................................60
B.
Response. ......................................................................................................................................60
C.
Place of Filing and Controlling Rules. .......................................................................................60
PART VI.
COLLECTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE ESTATE ..................................................61
L.R. 6007 - Abandonment of Assets at the § 341 Meeting. ............................................................61
PART VII. ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS AND JUDGMENTS .............................................................62
L.R. 7003 - Commencement of Adversary Proceedings.................................................................62
A.
Cover Sheet. .................................................................................................................................62
B.
Filing Fee. ....................................................................................................................................62
C.
Caption. ........................................................................................................................................62
L.R. 7004 - Summons. ...........................................................................................................................62
A.
Issuance. .......................................................................................................................................62
B.
Service of Summons.....................................................................................................................62
L.R. 7016 - Pre-trial Procedures.........................................................................................................62
A.
Duty to Exchange Witness and Exhibit Lists, and Exhibits. .....................................................62
B.
Objections to Exhibits. .................................................................................................................62
C.
Duty to Confer and Settlement Conference. ...............................................................................63
L.R. 7026 - Discovery. ...........................................................................................................................63
A.
Discovery to Begin Promptly. ......................................................................................................63
B.
Required Disclosures. ..................................................................................................................63
C.
Filing of Discovery Materials. .....................................................................................................63
D.
Deadline for Discovery. ...............................................................................................................63
L.R. 7041 – Dismissal of Adversary Proceeding. .............................................................................63
L.R. 7055 - Default Judgment. .............................................................................................................63
A.
Clerk’s Entry of Default. .............................................................................................................63
B.
Motion for Default Judgment......................................................................................................64
C.
Service of Motion for Default Judgment. ...................................................................................64
D.
Hearing on Motion for Default Judgment..................................................................................64
L.R. 7056 - Motions for Summary Judgment. ...................................................................................65
A.
Motion for Summary Judgment. .................................................................................................65
B.
Memorandum in Support. ...........................................................................................................65
C.
Responses. ....................................................................................................................................65
D.
Memorandum in Opposition. ......................................................................................................65
E.
Response Time. ............................................................................................................................65
F.
Page Limits. ..................................................................................................................................65
G.
Hearings. ......................................................................................................................................65
PART VIII.
APPEALS ..........................................................................................................................66
L.R. 8001 - Notice of Appeal and Filing Requirements ..................................................................66
A.
General Requirements. ................................................................................................................66
B.
Appeals to the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel................................................................................66
C.
Appeals to the District Court. ......................................................................................................66
D.
Direct Appeal to the Circuit Court. .............................................................................................66
PART IX.
FORMAT OF FILINGS, MOTION PRACTICE, GENERAL PROVISIONS .....................67
L.R. 9004 - Format and Title of Filings. .............................................................................................67
A.
Captions. .......................................................................................................................................67
B.
Title of Filings. .............................................................................................................................67
C.
Format of Filings. ........................................................................................................................67
D.
Certificates of Service. .................................................................................................................67
1.
CM/ECF Service. ............................................................................................................67
2.
Parties not served by CM/ECF. .....................................................................................68
3.
Time and Manner of Filing. ...........................................................................................68
L.R. 9006 - Requests for Extension of Time. ....................................................................................68
L.R. 9010 - Appearance without Attorney - Corporations or Other Business Entities. ...........68
L.R. 9011 - Signatures. ..........................................................................................................................68
A.
General. ........................................................................................................................................68
B.
Filing in Representative Capacity. ..............................................................................................69
C.
Signature of Person Other than Filer. ........................................................................................69
D.
Filing of Signed Documents. .......................................................................................................69
E.
Retention. .....................................................................................................................................70
F.
Electronic Proof of Claim System (“ePOC”). .............................................................................70
L.R. 9013-1 - Motion Practice..............................................................................................................70
A.
Service of Motions and Responses. .............................................................................................70
B.
Response Deadline. ......................................................................................................................70
C.
Prohibition of General Denials. ..................................................................................................70
D.
Failure to File Responsive Pleading. ..........................................................................................71
E.
Memoranda of Law. .....................................................................................................................71
F.
Consent Motions. .........................................................................................................................71
G.
Joinder ..........................................................................................................................................71
L.R. 9013-2 - Expedited or Emergency Matters...............................................................................71
A.
Motion For Expedited or Emergency Hearing. ..........................................................................71
B.
Response to Expedited or Emergency Matters. ..........................................................................71
C.
Expedited or Emergency Hearings on Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay................71
D.
Ex Parte Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay. ..............................................................72
L.R. 9013-3 - Chapter 11 Case Administration. ...............................................................................72
A.
First Day Matters in Chapter 11 Cases. ......................................................................................72
1.
General Provisions. .........................................................................................................72
2.
Coordination with United States Trustee. ....................................................................72
B.
Initial Debtor Interview in Chapter 11 Cases. ............................................................................72
C.
Regular Hearing Dates and Agenda. ..........................................................................................72
D.
Master Service and Notice Lists. .................................................................................................73
1.
Master Service List. ........................................................................................................73
2.
Master Notice List...........................................................................................................73
E.
Service of Motions and Notices. ..................................................................................................73
F.
Certificate of Service. ...................................................................................................................73
L.R. 9015 - Jury Trials. ..........................................................................................................................74
A.
General Provisions. ......................................................................................................................74
B.
Jury Demand and Withdrawal of Reference. .............................................................................74
1.
Time, Form, and Consent. .............................................................................................74
2.
Specification of Issues. ....................................................................................................74
3.
Determination by Court. ................................................................................................74
4.
Cover Sheet Insufficient. ................................................................................................74
5.
Waiver. .............................................................................................................................74
6.
Trial by the Court. ..........................................................................................................74
7.
Pre-trial Procedure where Jury Trial Demanded. ......................................................74
8.
Motion for Withdrawal of the Reference in Adversary Proceeding where Jury Trial
Demanded. ...................................................................................................................................74
9.
Right to Jury Trial. .........................................................................................................74
L.R. 9016 - Subpoenas. .........................................................................................................................75
L.R. 9019 - Mediation............................................................................................................................75
A.
Choosing the Mediator. ...............................................................................................................75
B.
Compensation of Mediators.........................................................................................................75
C.
No Stay of Proceedings. ...............................................................................................................75
D.
Mediation Statements. .................................................................................................................75
E.
Attendance. ...................................................................................................................................75
F.
Mediation Report. ........................................................................................................................75
G.
Confidentiality. .............................................................................................................................75
L.R. 9027 – Removal .............................................................................................................................75
A.
Commencing an Adversary Proceeding via Notice of Removal ................................................75
B.
Statements in Notice of Removal or Related Filings Regarding Consent to Entry of Order or
Judgment in Core Proceeding .....................................................................................................76
L.R. 9037-1 - Privacy and Redaction of Documents. ......................................................................76
A.
General Provisions. ......................................................................................................................76
B.
Redaction of Personal Identifiers................................................................................................76
1.
Social Security Numbers. ...............................................................................................77
2.
Names of Minor children. ..............................................................................................77
3.
Dates of Birth. .................................................................................................................77
4.
Financial Account Numbers. .........................................................................................77
L.R. 9037-2 – Filing Under Seal...........................................................................................................77
A.
Public Record. ..............................................................................................................................77
B.
Motion to File Under Seal. ..........................................................................................................77
C.
Document Proposed to be Sealed ................................................................................................77
D.
Objections. ....................................................................................................................................77
E.
Ruling on Motion to File Under Seal. ........................................................................................77
L.R. 9040 - Exhibits. ..............................................................................................................................78
L.R. 9050 - Proposed Orders. ..............................................................................................................78
A.
Time for Submission. ...................................................................................................................78
B.
Content. ........................................................................................................................................78
C.
Service in Non-Chapter 11 Cases. ...............................................................................................78
D.
Service in Chapter 11 Cases. .......................................................................................................79
E.
Valuation of Property. .................................................................................................................79
L.R. 9060 - Notices and Hearings. ......................................................................................................79
A.
Scheduling Hearings. ..................................................................................................................79
B.
Format of Notice of Hearing. ......................................................................................................79
1.
Content of Notice of Hearing. ........................................................................................79
2.
Combined Motion and Notice of Hearing. ...................................................................80
C.
Service of Notice of Hearing. ......................................................................................................80
D.
Maintenance of Clerk’s Mailing Matrix – Returned Notices. ...................................................80
E.
Continuance of Hearings. ...........................................................................................................80
L.R. 9061 - Negative Notice Procedures............................................................................................80
A.
Negative Notice. ...........................................................................................................................80
B.
Response to Matters set on Negative Notice. ..............................................................................81
C.
Format for Negative Notice. ........................................................................................................81
D.
Notice of Hearing when a Response is Filed. .............................................................................82
E.
Format for Notice of Hearing .....................................................................................................82
F.
Certification of No Response / Certification of Resolution........................................................82
L.R. 9062 - Matters Without Hearing. ...............................................................................................83
L.R. 9070 - Telephonic and Video Conference Hearings. ..............................................................84
L.R. 9075 - Use of Photographic and Recording Equipment. ........................................................84
United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Missouri
LOCAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE
INTRODUCTION - SCOPE OF RULES
L.R. 1001 - Scope of Rules and Forms; Short Title.
A. Title and Citation.
These Rules are adopted pursuant to Rule 9029 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure to
govern the local practice and procedures before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri (the “Court”). These Rules will be known as the “Local Rules of the
Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri” (the “Rules”) and will be cited as “L.R.”
herein. These Rules may be amended or supplemented from time to time by additional orders as the
Court deems necessary. Any amendments or supplements to these Rules will be contained either in
the Court’s procedures manual (“Procedures Manual”) described in L.R. 1001(E), or in a separate
General Order. All references to provisions of the Bankruptcy Code are to Title 11 of the United
States Code. All references to the District Court are to the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Missouri.
B. Application.
These Rules will apply to all cases and proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Eastern District of Missouri except to the extent the Court determines application of the Rules
would not be feasible or as otherwise more specifically provided herein. Failure to comply with
these Rules may result in denial of relief requested, dismissal, or other sanctions. Should any
provision of the Court’s Procedures Manual conflict with the Rules, the Rules will control, L.R.
1001(E) notwithstanding.
C. Effective Date.
These Rules become effective on December 1, 2022. These Rules supersede all previous rules and
any conflicting Orders promulgated by this Court or by any Judge of the Court. The Rules
governing plan contents will be the rules in effect at the time the plan was originally filed. For
previous versions of the Rules, go to the Archives section of the Court’s web site here, or contact
the Court.
D. District Court Rules.
The Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri will apply in
cases and proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court only to the extent the District Court Rules are
specifically incorporated into these Rules. Rule 81-9.01 of the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Missouri governing bankruptcy matters is incorporated herein.
E. Procedures Manual.
The Clerk of Court will publish operating procedures for this Court in a Procedures Manual. The
Procedures Manual will contain procedures, guidelines and instructions incidental to these Rules.
The Procedures Manual will be appended to these Rules and will be maintained on the Court’s web
1
site here. Reference in these Rules to any form, guideline or instruction in the Procedures Manual
will refer to the then-applicable form, guideline or instruction maintained by the Clerk of Court.
All parties before the Court must follow the procedures, guidelines, and instructions set forth in the
Procedures Manual and may be sanctioned for failing to do so. If, for some reason, a party is unable
to comply with any provision of the Procedures Manual, that party must contact the Clerk of Court’s
Office for guidance on how to proceed before filing. The method of computing time set forth in Fed.
R. Bankr. P. 9006(a) applies to these Rules and the Procedures Manual.
F. Definitions.
When these Rules require notice to or service upon the “debtor,” “creditor,” or other named party,
service must be made upon the attorney for such party, if any, unless service on the party is
specifically required by these or other applicable statutes or rules. Any reference to the “debtor”
will include any co-debtors, unless otherwise indicated. All references to the “Trustee” are to the
case trustee.
G. CM/ECF Event Codes.
There are several references to CM/ECF event codes in these Rules. To the extent the name of the
event codes change in CM/ECF, the Clerk of Court may, from time to time, substitute conforming
event codes in these Rules as necessary without further order of the Court. The Clerk of Court will
issue a public notice to advise of any such change.
H. Conforming Changes.
To the extent that the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Official Bankruptcy Forms, and
/or the national Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts’ Procedural
(“Director’s”) Forms are revised from time to time, the Clerk of Court may revise these Rules to
conform to such changes upon order of the Court. The Clerk of Court will issue a public notice to
advise of any such revision.
2
PART I. COMMENCEMENT OF CASE; PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO PETITION AND ORDER
FOR RELIEF
L.R. 1002 - Case Commencement.
A. Declination of Filing.
The Clerk of Court will decline to accept for filing, and the Court will promptly dismiss any case if:
1.
2.
3.
the voluntary petition is not signed by the debtor, or the involuntary petition is not signed by
the petitioning creditors;
the filing fee is neither paid nor provided for by an Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing
Fee Waived or an Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments, as applicable;
An unrepresented party presenting a bankruptcy petition or documents relating to the petition
for filing at the intake counter does not produce and allow the Clerk of Court to scan or copy
their current and legible government-issued photo identification; or a person acting on behalf
of an unrepresented party presenting a bankruptcy petition or documents relating to the
petition for filing at the intake counter does not produce and allow the Clerk of Court to scan
or copy their current and legible government-issued photo identification along with providing
a copy of the filers’ current and legible government-issued photo identification.
B. Chapter 7 Cases.
The following documents are required to be filed to commence a voluntary Chapter 7 case and
should be arranged in the following order. All documents listed are due with the petition unless
otherwise specified.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Voluntary Petition (Official Form B 101 for individuals or B 201 for non-individuals)
Summary of Assets and Liabilities (includes Certain Statistical Information for nonindividuals) (Official Form B 106Sum for individuals or B 206Sum for non-individuals) (due
within 14 days)
Schedules (Official Forms 106 series for individuals or B 206 series for non-individuals) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form B 106Dec) (individuals
only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Non-Individual Debtors (Official Form B 202) (nonindividuals only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form B 107 for individuals or B 207 for nonindividuals) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Corporate Ownership (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(a)(1)) (corporate cases only) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Attorney Compensation Disclosure (Official Form B 2030) (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b)) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Matrix and Verification of Creditor Matrix (Local Form 2)
Credit Counseling Certificate or a Motion for Exemption (Bankruptcy Code §§ 109(h) and
521(b)) (individuals only) (due immediately unless Petition item #15 indicates that the Credit
Counseling Certificate will be filed within fourteen (14) days)
Means Test Form/Statement of Current Monthly Income (Official Form B 122 A-1, and, if
necessary, B 122 A-1Supp and/or B 122 A-2) (individuals only) (due within fourteen (14)
days)
3
12.
13.
14.
15.
Filing Fee, Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments, or Application to Have the Chapter 7
Filing Fee Waived. Only individuals may pay in installments or file an Application to Have
the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration, and Signature (Official Form B 119)
(individuals only)
Disclosure of Compensation of Bankruptcy Petition Preparer (Official Form B 2800) (Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2016(c)) (due with the petition)
Statement About Your Social Security Numbers (Official Form B 121) (individuals only) (due
with the petition)
C. Chapter 11 Cases.
The following documents are required to be filed to commence a voluntary Chapter 11 case and
should be arranged in the following order. All documents listed are due with the petition unless
otherwise specified.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Voluntary Petition (Official Form B 101 for individuals, B 201 for non-individuals)
Attachment to Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy Under Chapter 11
(Official Form B 201 A) (corporate Chapter 11 debtors that are publicly held) (due within
seven (7) days)
List of Creditors Holding 20 Largest Unsecured Claims (Official Form B 104 for individuals,
B 204 for non-individuals)
Summary of Assets and Liabilities (includes Certain Statistical Information for nonindividuals) (Official Form B 106Sum for individuals or B 206Sum for non-individuals) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Schedules (Official Forms B 106 series for individuals or B 206 series for non-individuals)
(due within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form B 106Dec) (individuals
only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Non-Individual Debtors (Official Form B 202) (nonindividuals only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form B 107 for individuals or B 207 for nonindividuals) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Corporate Ownership (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(a)(1)) (corporate cases only) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Attorney Compensation Disclosure (Official Form B 2030) (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b)) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Matrix and Verification of Creditor Matrix (Local Form 2)
Credit Counseling Certificate or a Motion for Exemption (Bankruptcy Code §§ 109(h) and
521(b)) (individuals only) (due immediately unless Petition item #15 indicates that the Credit
Counseling Certificate will be filed within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Your Current Monthly Income (Official Form B 122 B) (individual cases only)
(due within fourteen (14) days)
Filing Fee or Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments. Only individuals may pay in
installments.
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration, and Signature (Official Form B 119)
(individuals only)
Disclosure of Compensation of Bankruptcy Petition Preparer (Official Form B 2800) (Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2016(c)) (individuals only) (due with the petition)
4
17.
18.
Statement About Your Social Security Numbers (Official Form B 121) (individuals only) (due
with petition)
Chapter 11 Small Business Requirements. (Bankruptcy Code § 1116(1))
a.
Balance Sheet
b.
Statement of Operations
c.
Cash-Flow Statement; and
d.
Federal Income Tax Returns; or
e.
Statement under penalty of perjury that no Balance Sheet, Statement of Operations,
and/or Cash Flow Statement has been prepared and/or no Federal tax return has been
filed
D. Chapter 12 Cases.
The following documents are required to be filed to commence a Chapter 12 case and should be
arranged in the following order. All documents listed are due with the petition unless otherwise
specified.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Voluntary Petition (Official Form B 101 for individuals or B 201 for non-individuals)
Summary of Assets and Liabilities (includes Certain Statistical Information for nonindividuals) (Official Form B 106Sum for individuals or B 206Sum for non-individuals) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Schedules (Official Forms 106 series for individuals or B 206 series for non-individuals) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form B 106Dec) (individuals
only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Non-Individual Debtors (Official Form B 202) (nonindividuals only) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form B107 for individuals or B207 for nonindividuals) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Chapter 12 Plan (due within ninety (90) days)
Statement of Corporate Ownership (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(a)(1)) (corporate cases only) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Attorney Compensation Disclosure (Official Form B 2030) (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b)) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Matrix and Verification of Creditor Matrix (Local Form 2)
Credit Counseling Certificate or a Motion for Exemption (Bankruptcy Code §§ 109(h) and
521(b)) (individuals only) (due immediately unless Petition item #15 indicates that the Credit
Counseling Certificate will be filed within fourteen (14) days)
Filing Fee or Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments. Only individuals may pay in
installments.
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration, and Signature (Official Form
B 119)
(individuals only)
Disclosure of Compensation of Bankruptcy Petition Preparer (Official Form B 2800) (Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2016(c)) (individuals only) (due with the petition)
Statement About Your Social Security Numbers (Official Form B 121) (individuals only) (due
with the petition)
5
E. Chapter 13 Cases.
The following documents are required to be filed to commence a Chapter 13 case and should be
arranged in the following order. All documents listed are due with the petition unless otherwise
specified.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Voluntary Petition (Official Form B 101)
Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information (Official Form B
106Sum) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Schedules (Official Forms B 106 series) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form B 106Dec) (due within
fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form B 107) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Chapter 13 Plan (Local Form 13) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Attorney Compensation Disclosure (Official Form B 2030) (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b)) (due
within fourteen (14) days)
Chapter 13 Attorney Fee Election Form (CM/ECF Virtual Event - no document needs to be
uploaded) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Matrix and Verification of Creditor Matrix (Local Form 2)
Credit Counseling Certificate or a Motion for Exemption (Bankruptcy Code §§ 109(h) and
521(b)) (due immediately unless Petition item #15 indicates that the Credit Counseling
Certificate will be filed within fourteen (14) days)
Statement of Current Monthly Income and Disposable Income Calculation Form (Official
Form B 122 C-1, and, if necessary, B 122 C-2) (due within fourteen (14) days)
Filing Fee or Application to Pay Filing Fee In Installments
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration, and Signature (Official Form
B
119) (individuals only)
Disclosure of Compensation of Bankruptcy Petition Preparer (Official Form B 2800) (Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2016(c)) (individuals only) (due with the petition)
Statement About Your Social Security Numbers (Official Form B 121) (due with petition)
F. Filing Fees.
Reference the Court’s web site at http://www.moeb.uscourts.gov/filing-fees for filing fees required
to commence a bankruptcy case.
G. Order and Notice of Documents Due.
The Court sends an Order and Notice of Documents Due when a petition is filed without all of the
required documents or when other filing deficiencies are noted. Failure to cure the deficiency(ies)
by filing the missing documents or correcting any other deficiency(ies) stated on the Order and
Notice of Documents Due within the time stated therein will result in the prompt dismissal or
reconversion of the case unless a motion to extend time for filing has been granted or is pending.
The Court will not condone serial filing of motions to extend time simply for the purpose of staving
off dismissal.
H. Service of Amended Petition.
Should there be cause for the debtor to file an Amended Petition, the Amended Petition must be
served upon all creditors and parties to the case.
6
L.R. 1006 - Payment of Filing Fees in Installments or Waiver of Filing Fee.
A. General Requirements.
All applications to pay filing fees in installments must be filed using a form in substantial
conformity with Local Form 1. No proposed order should be submitted with the application. Fifty
percent of the filing fee must be paid within seven (7) days of the filing of the petition if not paid
when the petition is filed. The Court will not grant an application to pay the filing fee in
installments if the debtor’s attorney has already been paid $300.00 or more at the time the petition is
filed or the debtor has paid a petition preparer in connection with the case. Any application for a
waiver of the filing fee will be denied if the debtor has paid a petition preparer or attorney in
connection with the case.
1.
The amount paid when filing the petition and the first installment payment must be at least
50% of the filing fee rounded to the whole dollar. Absent the showing of exceptional
circumstances, a total of three installment payments will be allowed by the Order approving
installment payments.
2.
The second installment payment must be paid on or before sixty (60) days after the date the
petition was filed and the third installment payment must be paid on or before ninety (90) days
after the date the petition is filed. The second and final installment must equal the balance of
the filing fee.
3.
If any installment payment under the Order granting the application to pay filing fees in
installments is not paid by the due date, the bankruptcy case may be dismissed without further
notice or hearing.
B. Waiver of Filing Fee in Chapter 7 Cases.
The Court will post on the Court’s web site the applicable poverty guidelines to be used in
determining whether a debtor qualifies for a fee waiver pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f). If an
Application to have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived (Official Form 103B) is granted, unless
otherwise stated, the order granting the application will waive all filing fees in the case. The order
granting the fee waiver application may be vacated if developments in the case demonstrate that
waiver of fees was unwarranted. If an application is denied, the debtor will ordinarily be ordered to
pay the filing fee in installments pursuant to a payment schedule set out in the Court’s order. If the
debtor is not eligible to pay fees in installments, the debtor will be ordered to pay the full filing fee
within seven (7) days of the order denying the fee waiver application. Failure to timely pay the
filing fee will result in the case being dismissed without further notice or hearing.
L.R. 1007-1 - Means Testing and Current Income Calculations.
A. Median Family Income.
In determining median family income for purposes of Bankruptcy Code § 707(b)(7) and completion
of the Means Test Official Form in Chapter 7 cases, and the Disposable Income Official Form in
Chapter 13 cases, absent evidence to the contrary, the median family income will be those amounts
established by the United States Bureau of the Census and made available on the Bankruptcy
Court's web site as provided by the Office of the United States Trustee.
B. Monthly Expenses.
Absent evidence to the contrary, the monthly expenses for use in determining the means test under
Bankruptcy Code § 707(b)(2)(A) and completion of the Means Test Official Form in Chapter 7
7
cases, and the Disposable Income Official Form in Chapter 13 cases will be those expenses
established by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and made available through a link on the
Bankruptcy Court’s web site to this information as provided by the Office of the United States
Trustee. The multiplier for calculating the Chapter 13 administrative expense on the Means Test
Official Form in Chapter 7 cases, and the Disposable Income Official Form in Chapter 13 cases will
be the percentage on the date the case is filed and made available through a link on the Bankruptcy
Court’s web site as provided by the Office of the United States Trustee.
C. Documentation Supporting Means Test.
The debtor must provide documentation supporting expenses claimed on the Means Test Official
Form in Chapter 7 cases, and the Disposable Income Official Form in Chapter 13 cases, fourteen
(14) days prior to the Bankruptcy Code § 341 meeting of creditors (“§ 341 Meeting”). Such
documentation must not be filed with the Court unless filing is necessary to comply with existing
rules and procedures.
L.R. 1007-2 - Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1) Filing Requirements.
The debtor will not be required to file the documents specified in Bankruptcy Code §§ 521(a)(1)(B)(iv),
(v), and (vi), and will be deemed to have satisfied these Bankruptcy Code § 521(a) filing requirements
in the following manner:
A. Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv).
The requirements of Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv) (copies of all payment advices or other
evidence of payment received within 60 days before the date of the filing of the petition by the
debtor from any employer of the debtor) are satisfied by providing to the Trustee (or the United
States Trustee in a Chapter 11 case where no Trustee has been appointed) at least fourteen (14) days
before the first setting of the § 341 Meeting:
1.
Payment advice(s) or other evidence of payment (which may be satisfied by providing less
than “all payment advices or other evidence of payment received within sixty (60) days before
the date of the filing of the petition ...” - e.g. by providing a year-to-date statement that
includes payments received within sixty (60) days of the petition), or
2.
A verified statement that the debtor did not receive payments to which Bankruptcy Code §
521(a)(1)(B)(iv) applies.
In no event should the documents required by Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(iv) be provided
later than forty-five (45) days after the date of the filing of the petition. If the § 341 Meeting is not
set within forty-five (45) days of the filing of the petition, the 45-day deadline for providing
payment advices to the Trustee (or the United States Trustee, if applicable) still applies. If the
Trustee or the United States Trustee continues the § 341 Meeting to receive these documents, such
continuance will not be deemed a request or consent to extend the deadline of Bankruptcy Code §
521(i). Nothing in this Rule should be construed as requiring the Trustee or the United States
Trustee to continue the § 341 Meeting. Failure to provide the documents within the 45-day
deadline will be grounds for the Trustee or the United States Trustee (if applicable) to request
dismissal. If the case is dismissed following such a request by the Trustee or the United States
Trustee, and the debtor believes the case was dismissed in error, the debtor must file any motion to
reinstate the case within fourteen (14) days of the entry of the dismissal order. A case that has been
8
dismissed for failure to file a required document or provide a required document to the Trustee or
the United States Trustee will not be considered to be a case dismissed in error.
B. Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(v).
The requirement of Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(v) (statement of the amount of monthly net
income, itemized to show how the amount is calculated) is satisfied by including such information
in Schedule I.
C.
Bankruptcy Code § 521(a)(1)(B)(vi).
The requirement of § 521(a)(1)(B)(vi) (a statement disclosing any reasonably anticipated increase
in income or expenditures over the next 12-month period following the date of the filing of the
petition) is satisfied by including such information in item 13 of Schedule I and item 24 of
Schedule J.
L.R. 1007-3 - Bankruptcy Code § 521(c) Education Accounts.
The debtor must file with the petition, and if not with the petition, within fourteen (14) days thereafter,
records of any interest under Bankruptcy Code § 521(c) by including such information on item 24 of
Schedule A/B and by attaching an Exhibit Summary to the Schedules or by filing the Exhibit Summary
separately using the “Debtor Interest in Education Account” event.
L.R. 1007-4 - Bankruptcy Code § 521 Tax Returns and Requests.
A. Bankruptcy Code § 521(e)(2) - Tax Returns Filed with the Taxing Authority Pre-Petition.
Unless otherwise requested by the United States Trustee or the Trustee, the debtor will be deemed to
have met the requirement of Bankruptcy Code § 521(e)(2)(A)(i) by providing to the Trustee (or the
United States Trustee in a Chapter 11 case where no Trustee has been appointed), no later than
seven (7) days prior to the § 341 Meeting, a copy of the debtor’s most recently filed federal and
state tax returns, or a verified statement that such returns do not exist and the reason why the returns
do not exist. On request of a creditor under Bankruptcy Code § 521(e)(2)(A)(ii), the debtor must
provide copies of such tax returns to the creditor but must not file the returns or an Exhibit
Summary thereof with the Court. Failure to provide the Trustee (or the United States Trustee if
applicable) with the required tax returns or a verified statement that such returns do not exist as set
forth in this Rule will result in the Trustee’s or United States Trustee’s request for dismissal of the
case. Nothing in this Rule should be construed as requiring the Trustee or the United States Trustee
to continue the § 341 Meeting.
B. Bankruptcy Code § 521(f) - Tax Returns Filed with the Taxing Authority Post-Petition.
To file tax returns or transcripts under Bankruptcy Code § 521(f) in the Court’s CM/ECF system in
response to a request for such returns, the debtor should use the “Tax Documents” event. A written
request pursuant to Bankruptcy Code § 521(f) should be filed with the Court using the “Request for
Copy of Debtor’s Tax Information” event and must be served on the debtor and debtor’s counsel, if
any.
L.R. 1007-5 - Credit Counseling.
A. Certificate of Credit Counseling.
Part 5 of the Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy must be completed as part of
the petition by each individual debtor. The certificate of credit counseling, if any, should be
appended to the voluntary petition or may be filed separately. If the certificate of credit counseling
9
is filed separately, the “Certificate of Credit Counseling” event should be used. If Part 5 indicates
that counseling was obtained but that the certificate is not available, the Court will issue a fourteenday Order and Notice of Documents Due and will dismiss the case on the fifteenth day if the
certificate of credit counseling is not timely filed.
B. Certificate of Exigent Circumstances.
The certification of exigent circumstances under Bankruptcy Code § 109(h)(3)(A) must be made by
checking the appropriate box on Part 5 of the Voluntary Petition for Individuals and attaching the
sheet described in Part 5 to the voluntary petition.
L.R. 1007-6 - Extension of Time to File Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs.
A. General Procedures.
Any request for additional time to file schedules and/or the statement of financial affairs must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
be filed before expiration of the deadline;
seek extension to a date certain for filing the missing documents;
disclose the date the petition was filed;
disclose the date of the § 341 Meeting; and
disclose all prior extensions granted
The request to extend time must be served on the Trustee and, in Chapter 11 cases, on the L.R.
9013-3(D) Master Service List or on those who would be on such a list. If the Court extends the
time for filing the schedules and/or statement of financial affairs to a date that is less than ten (10)
days before the scheduled § 341 Meeting, the debtor should contact the Trustee (or the United States
Trustee in a Chapter 11 case where no Trustee has been appointed) to verify whether the § 341
Meeting should be rescheduled. If the § 341 Meeting is rescheduled, the debtor must serve notice of
the continued § 341 Meeting date on all creditors and parties in interest as required by L.R. 2003(A)
and must file a certificate of service (L.R. 9004(D)).
B. Dismissal for Failure to File Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs.
In a Chapter 7 or 13 case, if the schedules or statement of financial affairs or a request for additional
time to file the schedules and/or statement of financial affairs are not filed within fourteen (14) days
of the date the voluntary petition was filed, the case will be dismissed on the fifteenth day after the
date the voluntary petition was filed.
L.R. 1007-7 - Matrix.
A. General Requirements.
The debtor must file a list containing the name and address of each creditor in the format specified
in the Procedures Manual. This list is called the creditor “matrix.” The debtor must also sign and
simultaneously file a verification of creditor matrix (Local Form 2) following the instructions in the
Procedures Manual. The matrix and verification must be filed with the petition pursuant to L.R.
1002(A).
B. Matrix to Include Child Support Enforcement Agency.
Any debtor that is subject to a child support claim of a domestic support obligation must include the
address for the appropriate state child support enforcement agency in the debtor’s matrix. Such
addresses are available through the web site of the Office of the United States Trustee.
10
C. United States Attorney’s Office, Missouri Department of Revenue, and U.S. Internal Revenue
Service.
The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri and the Missouri Department of
Revenue must be listed on the matrix in all Chapter 13 cases using the address set forth in the
Procedures Manual. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service must be listed on the matrix in all Chapter
11 cases and in all other cases where the Internal Revenue Service is a creditor using the address set
forth in the Procedures Manual.
L.R. 1007-8 - Amended Statement of Social Security Number.
If the debtor needs to amend a statement of social security number filed pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P.
1007(f), the debtor must file an amended Official Form 121. The debtor must serve the amended form
on all creditors, parties requesting notice, and the Trustee, if any. The debtor must also serve the
amended form along with a letter explaining why the form was amended on each of the three major
credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion). The debtor must redact all but the last
four digits of the social security numbers and individual taxpayer identification numbers on the
amended form served under this rule on creditors and parties requesting notice, but not on the amended
form served on the Trustee or the credit reporting agencies. The amended form must be served via first
class mail, postage pre-paid, on creditors, parties requesting notice, and the credit reporting agencies
and a separate certificate of service must be filed listing the addresses at which they were served. The
debtor must provide a copy of the unredacted form to any creditor that requests it.
L.R. 1009 - Amended Schedules and/or Matrix.
A. Content of Amended Schedule or Matrix.
An amended schedule and/or matrix must include all information for the schedule as amended–not
just the newly added or revised information. Along with the amended schedule and/or matrix, the
debtor must file a signed declaration and/or verification (as applicable) for the amended schedule
and/or matrix. Along with any amended schedule and/or matrix, the debtor must file a
memorandum identifying the changes made by the amendment. If adding a creditor or creditors in a
Chapter 7 case, the Notice of Amendment to Schedules and/or Matrix to Add Creditor(s) (Local
Form 26) must be filed. To delete a creditor or creditors, file the appropriate amended schedule
displaying the creditor’s(s’) name and the words “DELETE CREDITOR” along with a
memorandum identifying the reason for the change(s). The memorandum must list the name(s) of
the creditor(s) affected by the amendment and a description of the applicable change(s).
B. Service.
The debtor must serve a notice of the amended schedule and/or a notice of the amended matrix on
the Trustee. A copy of the last issued notice of commencement of case must be served with the
notice along with a proof of claim form and notice of the claims bar date on any newly added
creditor in any asset case. In Chapter 13 cases, the debtor must also serve a copy of the current
Chapter 13 plan on every newly added creditor included in the amended document. The debtor must
file a certificate of service listing the documents served in full compliance with L.R. 9004(D). The
debtor must serve a copy of the amended schedules and/or matrix and any accompanying
memorandum on any party requesting a copy of these documents.
11
C. Large Chapter 11 Cases.
In any large Chapter 11 case, or a Chapter 7 case that has been converted from a Chapter 11 case, in
which the Court authorizes the debtor or a noticing agent to provide notice and maintain the creditor
matrix, the following procedures will apply to amended matrices:
1.
When the matrix needs to be amended or corrected, the debtor must file in PDF format the
amended or corrected matrix in the CM/ECF system. The debtor should not upload this
amended matrix into the CM/ECF system. The filed (not uploaded) amended matrix must
include all names and addresses comprising the most current list of the debtor’s creditors.
2.
To file the amended or corrected matrix, the debtor should use the “Amended Creditor Matrix
and Verification of Matrix” event.
3.
On conversion of a Chapter 11 case or within seven (7) days of any request from the Court or
any other party, the debtor must file in PDF and upload (as a text file) an amended matrix as
set forth in these Rules.
D. Form Notice in Chapter 7 Individual Cases.
In Chapter 7 individual cases, the debtor must file and serve the mandatory Notice of Amendment to
Schedules and/or Matrix to Add Creditor(s) (Local Form 26) on all creditors added to the case by an
amended schedule and/or matrix. The notice should either be filed with the amended schedules or
matrix using the “Amended Schedules” or “Amended Creditor Matrix and Verification of Matrix”
event, or separately using the “Notice of Amendment to Schedules and/or Matrix to Add
Creditor(s)” event. The additional documents referenced in the notice should not be filed with the
Court.
E. Extension of Deadline for Objection to Discharge.
The amendment of schedules and/or the matrix to add creditors does not extend the time for a newly
added creditor or any other party to object to a debtor’s discharge or to the dischargeability of a
debt. If the deadline has not expired, the debtor or another party in interest may file and serve a
motion requesting an extension of the deadline. If the deadline has expired, a party in interest may
request an extension of the deadline to object to the discharge as provided in Fed. R. Bankr. P.
4004(b)(2). The Court may rule on the motion without a hearing.
L.R. 1015 - Joint Administration and Affiliated Debtor Cases.
A. Joint Cases.
The estates under a joint petition filed pursuant to Bankruptcy Code § 302(a) will be jointly
administered unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
B. Affiliated Debtor Cases in Chapter 11.
The debtor or a party in interest may request by motion that cases in this Court regarding a debtor
and its affiliate(s) be jointly administered. A motion for joint administration must be filed as early
in the case as possible. Unnecessary delay may result in the Court’s denial of the motion for joint
administration. Such a motion must be served on the L.R. 9013-3(D) Master Service List or on
those who would be on such a list. The motion for joint administration must be filed in the case
requested to be designated as the lead case. Joint administration of a debtor and its affiliates, unless
otherwise ordered by the Court, is not a substantive consolidation of the cases.
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1.
Designation of Lead Case. Unless otherwise stated in the order granting joint
administration, when multiple affiliated cases are filed, the first case filed (i.e. the case having
the lowest case number) will be designated as the lead case.
2.
Docket. A single case docket and case file will be maintained in the lead case after entry of
the order for joint administration.
3.
Style of Court Documents. Pleadings and other documents filed after entry of the order for
joint administration should be styled with the caption of the lead case and should indicate that
the cases are being jointly administered. The caption for a pleading or other document filed in
a jointly administered case should follow the designated example in Local Form 22. Such
documents will be filed in the lead case only.
Claims. A separate claims register will be maintained for each affiliated case. A proof of
claim must specifically state the name and case number of the debtor against which the claim
is asserted. If claims are asserted against more than one of the affiliated debtors in a jointly
administered case, a separate original proof of claim must be filed in each case.
4.
L.R. 1016 – Notice of Death of Debtor.
A notice of death must be accompanied either by a copy of the death certificate, a copy of some other
government-issued document evidencing the death, or a brief explanation of why neither of these can be
obtained. The notice of death must provide only notice of the death of a debtor and may not include
any other request for relief. Any relief related to the death of a debtor must be requested by separate
motion.
L.R. 1017-1 - Motions to Dismiss.
A. General.
All motions to dismiss a bankruptcy case must state whether the case has been converted and other
relevant facts in support of the motion, including whether the debtor has entered into an agreement
with a creditor or with the Trustee that is a basis for the motion to dismiss. In Chapter 7, 11, and 12
cases, the movant must give notice of the motion to all creditors and parties in interest. Negative
Notice procedures as set forth in L.R. 9061 apply to motions to dismiss except as otherwise stated in
this Rule.
B. Motions to Dismiss for Failure to Provide or File Required Documents.
Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code § 105(a), the Court may promptly dismiss a bankruptcy case for
failure to timely provide or file the documents required under Bankruptcy Code § 521 or these
Rules. In Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 cases, the Court may also dismiss the case for failure to file a
Chapter 12 or 13 plan when due.
C. Motions to Dismiss for Failure to Appear at § 341 Meeting.
The Trustee (or the United States Trustee in a Chapter 11 case where no Trustee has been
appointed) must file a request to have the case dismissed if the debtor fails to appear at a
rescheduled § 341 Meeting without being excused by the Trustee or the United States Trustee,
provided the Trustee or United States Trustee has notified the debtor in writing that failure to appear
may result in the case being dismissed. Upon entry of the Trustee’s Bankruptcy Code § 341 minute
entry or the filing of another document requesting dismissal, the debtor will have seven (7) days to
respond to the Trustee’s request for dismissal. If the debtor fails to respond, the Court may dismiss
13
the case without further notice and the debtor will be barred from filing another bankruptcy case for
the 180-day period following the order of dismissal.
D. Dismissal in Chapter 13 Cases - General Provisions.
In Chapter 13 cases, the debtor's voluntary motion to dismiss must be served on the Trustee, and the
Court will promptly dismiss the case after the motion has been filed. All other motions to dismiss a
Chapter 13 case must be served on the debtor, the debtor's attorney (if any), and the Trustee.
Motions to dismiss made by parties other than the debtor in Chapter 13 cases will be heard on
Negative Notice. The debtor will have twenty-one (21) days from the date of service of a motion to
dismiss a Chapter 13 case to file a response to such motion. If a response is filed, the movant must
provide fourteen (14) days notice of hearing. If no response is filed, a Certification and Dismissal
Request can be filed, and the motion may be granted without further notice or hearing.
E. Amended Plan or Other Responses to the Chapter 13 Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss for Failure to
Make Plan Payments.
To avoid dismissal on the Trustee’s motion to dismiss for failure to make plan payments, the debtor
must become current in plan payments to the Trustee. The debtor may become current by
performing one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
making payment to the Trustee;
entering into a stipulation with the Trustee (The stipulation should propose extra monthly
payments to cure the missed payments within 12 months); or
filing an amended plan which cures the missed payments. Any amended plan must follow the
procedures for Chapter 13 plans outlined in these Rules and contain terms that address the
missed payments as well as future plan payments.
F. Amended Plans in Response to Chapter 13 Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Feasibility.
If the debtor responds to the Trustee's motion to dismiss for lack of feasibility by submitting an
amended plan that only differs from the confirmed plan in that it increases the number of future
payments to the Trustee and does not waive any missed payments, the plan may be confirmed on
recommendation of the Trustee without the debtor following the procedures of L.R. 3015-5.
L.R. 1017-2 - Motions to Reinstate Following Dismissal for Failure to File or Provide
Required Documents or Attend § 341 Meeting.
A. Time and Content.
A debtor will have fourteen (14) days after entry of an order of dismissal to file a motion to reinstate
and set aside dismissal. The motion must state good cause for reinstatement. A case will not
ordinarily be reinstated if dismissed for failure to make an installment filing fee payment, attend the
§ 341 Meeting, or timely file or provide documents required by Bankruptcy Code § 521. A motion
to set aside an order of dismissal must contain:
1.
2.
3.
4.
the date the deficiency or problem which caused the dismissal was cured;
the date the filing fees were paid in full (not just the missed installment) if dismissed for a
missed installment payment;
the date any missing document was filed or provided if dismissed for failure to file or provide
such document;
the exceptional circumstances warranting reinstatement of the case; and
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5.
a list of all bankruptcy cases filed by the debtor within the last eight (8) years or a statement
that the debtor has not filed a bankruptcy case within the prior eight (8) years.
B. Hearing, Service, Order.
Unless the Court grants a request for hearing, the Court will consider a motion to reinstate under
this Rule without hearing. The debtor must serve the motion on the Trustee and, in Chapter 11
cases, on the United States Trustee. The Court will prepare the order granting or denying a motion
to reinstate and will send a copy of the order to all entities on the matrix. On reinstatement of the
case, it is incumbent on the movant to set for hearing any unresolved motion pending at the time of
dismissal, although any party may set any such motion for hearing with proper notice.
C. Effect of Reinstatement on Deadlines.
If a case is dismissed and reinstated, the Court will determine whether the deadlines in the case need
to be extended. The Court will send notice of any such deadline extension to all creditors and
parties in interest.
L.R. 1017-3 - Motions to Reinstate Following Dismissal on Trustee's Motion to Dismiss for
Failure to Make Plan Payments.
A. Time, Content, and Service.
A Chapter 13 debtor will have fourteen (14) days after entry of an order granting the Trustee’s
motion to dismiss for failure to make plan payments in which to file a motion to reinstate and set
aside dismissal and to pay funds to the Trustee to bring payments current as of the date of the
debtor’s motion. The motion must state whether the case was previously dismissed and reinstated
and must provide dates of any prior dismissals and orders of reinstatement. The motion must also
recite that the debtor has paid funds to the Trustee to bring payments current as of the date of the
debtor’s motion, list the amount and date tendered, and detail the manner in which the funds were
tendered. The debtor must serve a copy of its motion on the Trustee, all creditors and parties in
interest who have filed a proof of claim, and all entities that have filed a request for notice. No later
than fourteen (14) days after service of the motion, the Trustee must file a response to the motion,
stating whether the Trustee consents or opposes reinstatement. Upon submission of the Trustee's
consent, the case may be reinstated without hearing. Absent a compelling reason, the Court will
enter an order without hearing after receipt of the Trustee’s response.
B. Order Regarding Reinstatement.
The Court will prepare the order granting or denying a motion to reinstate and will send a copy of
the order to all entities on the matrix. Upon reinstatement of the case, it is incumbent upon the
movant to set for hearing any unresolved motion pending at the time of dismissal, although any
party may set any such motion for hearing with proper notice.
C. Effect of Reinstatement on Deadlines.
If a case is dismissed and reinstated, the Court will determine whether the deadlines in the case need
to be extended. The Court will send notice of any such deadline extension to all creditors and
parties in interest.
L.R. 1019 - Conversions.
A. General Filing Requirements in a Converted Case.
1. Matrix, Verification of Matrix, and Attorney Compensation Disclosure Statement.
15
No later than fourteen (14) days after entry of the order of conversion, the debtor must file a
Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b) attorney compensation disclosure statement for the converted case
in accordance with L.R. 2016-1, and, when converting from Chapter 11, 12, or 13, a new
matrix that must include any creditors holding post-petition claims and a new matrix
verification. A new matrix is not required if there are no such creditors to add to the matrix.
2. Individual Debtors.
a.
Amended Schedules I and J: No later than fourteen (14) days after entry of the order of
conversion, an individual Debtor must file amended schedules I, J, and, if applicable, J-2
accurate as of the date of conversion. If there is no change to the Debtor’s information
on schedules, I, J, and/or J-2, the Debtor must indicate this in the memorandum
accompanying the amended schedules.
b.
Lists of Post-Petition, Pre-Conversion Debts, Property, and Executory Contracts: The
lists filed pursuant to this subsection must include the information required by the
applicable Official Form schedules. The applicable Official Form may be, but does not
have to be, used. No memorandum is required to be filed with these lists, and no notice
of amendment to schedules is required for the creditors listed pursuant to this Rule.
Requirements for lists of debts, property, and executory contracts in cases not addressed
by this subsection will be set forth in the Court’s conversion order. No later than
fourteen (14) days after entry of the order of conversion, the Debtor,
i.
ii.
iii.
when converting from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7, must file a list of each debt
remaining unpaid that was incurred after the filing of the petition but before the
conversion, or must file a statement that no such debts exist;
when converting from Chapter 11 or 12 to Chapter 7, must file a list of (1) each
item of property acquired after the filing of the petition and remaining in the estate
at the time of conversion, (2) each item of property disposed of before the
conversion along with the manner of disposal, the names of any buyers, and any
prices obtained, (3) each debt remaining unpaid that was incurred after the filing of
the petition but before the conversion, and (4) all executory contracts into which
the debtor has entered after the filing of the petition but before the conversion, or
must file a statement that no such debts, property, or contracts exist.
when converting from Chapter 7, must file a list of each item of property acquired
after the filing of the petition but before the conversion, or must file a statement
that no such property exists.
c.
Applicability of 11 U.S.C. §348(f)(2): If the Court enters an order that Bankruptcy Code
§348(f)(2) applies to the case, no later than fourteen (14) days after entry of the order,
the Debtor must file a list of each item of property acquired after the filing of the petition
but before the conversion, or must file a statement that no such property exists.
d.
General Provisions: When converting to a Chapter 7 case, there is no fee due for timely
filing any list or amended schedule under this Rule prior to the expiration of the 14-day
deadline. Compliance with this Rule is deemed to meet the requirements of filing the
schedules specified in Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1019(5). Service on the Trustee of the amended
schedules, lists, and statements required by this Rule in the converted case should be
made through the Court’s CM/ECF system, and no certificate of service is necessary. If
16
the Trustee also requires paper copies of the lists, schedules, or statements to be provided
prior to the § 341 Meeting, the debtor must provide such paper copies. Lists or
statements filed pursuant to this Rule may be combined in one document as long as that
document contains clearly marked categories of debts, assets, and/or executory contracts,
and as long as this does not cause any statement or list to be untimely filed. The lists or
statements may be filed with amended schedules I, J, and J-2 as long as they do not
cause amended schedules I, J, and/or J-2 to be untimely filed. The lists, schedules, and
statements should be filed using the pathway found via the Amended Schedules event in
the Court’s CM/ECF system. Failure to timely file any documents required by this Rule
constitutes cause to dismiss the case.
e.
Additional Documents Provided to Chapter 7 Trustee - Individual Case: In a case
converted to Chapter 7, the debtor must:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
provide to the Trustee documentation supporting the expenses claimed on the
Means Test Official Form no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the postconversion § 341 Meeting;
provide to the Trustee, no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the post-conversion
§ 341 Meeting, the documents required by L.R. 1007-2(A);
provide to the Trustee, no later than seven (7) days prior to the post-conversion §
341 Meeting, the tax returns required by L.R. 1007- 4(A) and for the tax period
which includes the petition date; and
provide to the Trustee, no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the post-conversion
§ 341 Meeting, copies of all depository, brokerage, and similar account statements
covering the petition date.
These documents should not be filed with the Court. Failure to timely provide any of
these documents in accordance with this Rule constitutes cause to dismiss the case.
f.
Chapter 13 Plan and Attorney Fee Election Form: In a case converted to Chapter 13, the
debtor must file a Chapter 13 plan and an attorney fee election form no later than
fourteen (14) days after entry of the order of conversion.
3.
Debtors that are not Individuals. A debtor that is not an individual and that is converting
to Chapter 7 is not required to comply with subsection (A)(2), but such debtor (or Trustee, if
one has been appointed in a Chapter 11 case) must file the schedule of unpaid debts and final
report and account pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1019(5) within the time frames set forth
therein. Such schedule and report must include (1) each item of property acquired after the
filing of the petition and remaining in the estate at the time of conversion, (2) each item of
property disposed of before the conversion along with the manner of disposal, the names of
any buyers, and any prices obtained, (3) each debt remaining unpaid that was incurred after
the filing of the petition but before the conversion, and (4) all executory contracts into which
the debtor has entered after the filing of the petition but before the conversion.
4.
Means Test/Statement of Current Monthly Income Forms. When an individual debtor
seeks to convert a case to one under Chapter 7, 11 or 13, the debtor must either attach the
appropriate Official Form B 122 A-1 (and, if necessary, B 122A-1 Supp and/or B 122 A-2), B
122 B, or B 122 C-1 (and, if necessary, B 122 C-2) to the debtor’s motion or notice to convert,
or file the appropriate form(s) simultaneously with the motion or notice to convert. An
17
individual debtor does not have to attach any of the Official Forms referenced above when
seeking to convert their case to one filed under Subchapter V. Failure to attach or promptly
file the appropriate form(s) for the converted case may result in denial of the motion to
convert, or dismissal or reconversion of the case. The information provided on the Form B 122
filed for the converted case should reflect average monthly income for the six (6) calendar
months prior to the filing of the original bankruptcy petition.
B. Reconversion of Certain Chapter 13 Cases.
Although the failure to timely take any action required by this Rule constitutes cause for dismissal,
the Court ordinarily will reconvert a case converted from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, rather than
dismiss the case if the debtor fails to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
file the documents required by this Rule or as required in the order of conversion;
attend the § 341 Meeting;
propose a plan in good faith; or
timely commence plan payments.
If the case is reconverted to a Chapter 7, Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1019 is applicable.
C. Initial Debtor Interview upon Conversion to Chapter 11.
Promptly upon conversion of a case to Chapter 11, the debtor (if not represented by an attorney) or
the debtor’s attorney (if any) should contact the Office of the United States Trustee to schedule the §
341 Meeting, and arrange for an initial debtor interview. The debtor and the debtor’s attorney (if
any) should review the United States Trustee’s requirements and role in administering a Chapter 11
case found in the Procedures Manual.
L.R. 1030 - Requests for Documents.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in any of these Rules, when a party requests a document from
another party, any such request should initially be in writing, made either by letter or e-mail, and must
not be filed with the Court. Failure to comply with the request within fourteen (14) days of the request
will be grounds for the requesting party to file a motion to compel or seek other remedy(ies) from the
Court, including dismissal. To comply with the request, the party must provide the documents to the
requesting party but must not file the documents or an Exhibit Summary concerning the documents with
the Court. Nothing precludes the use of current Motion to Compel practices as otherwise authorized and
permitted.
L.R. 1040 - Access to Filed Tax Documents.
A. General Provisions.
For the United States Trustee, the Trustee, or a party in interest to gain access to tax returns or
transcripts filed with the Court, such party must file a motion with the Court using the “Motion for
Access to Tax Information” event and must serve the motion on the debtor and the debtor’s
attorney, if any. The motion should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A description of the movant’s status in the case;
A description of the specific tax information sought;
A statement indicating the information cannot be obtained by the movant from any other
source; and
A statement showing a demonstrated need for the tax information.
18
If the Court grants access to the tax returns or transcripts filed with the Court, the movant must keep
the tax returns and transcripts confidential and is prohibited from unauthorized dissemination of
those documents or the information contained therein.
B. Disposition of Tax Documents.
On conclusion of review of any tax returns or transcripts by a creditor or party in interest, the
reviewing party must either return the tax returns or transcripts and any copies thereof to the debtor
or destroy the tax returns or transcripts and any copies thereof.
19
PART II.
ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE
L.R. 2002-1 - Address for Service.
A. Address for Service.
The matrix must consist of the last address for correspondence that the creditor has provided to the
debtor unless the debtor is aware that the creditor has specifically directed use of a different address.
If the creditor has not provided the debtor with an address for correspondence, the debtor should use
the last billing address provided by the creditor unless the debtor is aware that the creditor has
specifically directed use of a different address. The address listed on the matrix should be used for
service of all motions, applications, pleadings, orders, and notices of hearing unless an entity has
directed use of another address, or as otherwise may be required, such as for pleadings requiring
service on the registered agent of an entity, an officer or managing or general agent of a corporation,
a particular government agency or official, or an officer of an insured depository institution. Any
entity that has filed an entry of appearance, a request for notice, or a proof of claim or interest will
be deemed to have directed that the notice address on the entry, request, or proof of claim or interest
last filed be used for service of all motions, applications, pleadings, orders, and notices of hearing.
Unless service on both the party and the party’s attorney is required, service under this Rule on the
party will be made by serving the party’s attorney.
B. Certain Government Entities.
Refer to the Procedures Manual for the addresses to be used for service on the United States Internal
Revenue Service, the Missouri Department of Revenue, and the United States Attorney’s Office,
Eastern District of Missouri. The Internal Revenue Service must be included on the debtor’s
mailing matrix in all Chapter 11 cases. The Missouri Department of Revenue and the United States
Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri, addresses must be included on the debtor’s mailing
matrix in all Chapter 13 cases.
C. Service on Registered Agent.
Parties, or their attorneys, if any, should refer to the Procedures Manual for the web address of the
Missouri Secretary of State where registered agents can be located and use that web address to
locate the appropriate registered agent when service on a party’s registered agent is required.
L.R. 2002-2 - Notice of Commencement of Case and § 341 Meeting.
A. Service and Form of Notice.
The Court will send all notices of commencement of case but is authorized to designate the debtor,
Trustee, or other party to provide notice where the interests of justice and efficiency are served. The
Clerk of Court is authorized to review the form of all such notices to ensure compliance with the
Court’s procedures and applicable rules. The notices of commencement for jointly administered
cases may be combined into a single notice.
B. Child Support Claimants.
The Trustee is not obligated to send notice under Bankruptcy Code §§ 704(c)(1)(A), (B) and (C),
1202(b)(6), or 1302(b)(6) unless a creditor holding a claim for unpaid pre-petition child support
contacts the Trustee to request such notice. The duties of the Trustee under these sections will be
met if the Trustee provides the notice specified in those sections upon request. The Notice and
Order of Commencement and the Discharge Order must contain the following language to give
notice to such pre-petition child support creditors.
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The holder of any claim for unpaid pre-petition child support is entitled to have the Trustee
provide such creditor with notice of the creditor’s right to use the services of the state child
support enforcement agency and supply such creditor with the address and telephone number of
the state child support enforcement agency and an explanation of the creditor’s rights to
payment in the bankruptcy case. Any creditor may request such notice and information by
writing the Trustee. Such creditor is further entitled to have the Trustee provide the creditor
with (i) notice of the granting of the discharge, (ii) any last known address of the debtor, (iii) the
debtor’s most recent employer, and (iv) information concerning other claims on which the
debtor may be liable following the discharge. Failure to request such information from the
Trustee is a waiver of the right to receive such notice from the Trustee.
L.R. 2002-3 - Returned Notices.
All notices sent out from the Court through the Bankruptcy Noticing Center that are undeliverable for
insufficient or incorrect address will be returned to the debtor’s attorney or to the debtor if
unrepresented by an attorney. The debtor must attempt to locate a correct address for any entity whose
notice was returned. The debtor must send any returned notice to such entity at the corrected address.
The debtor must also amend the matrix under L.R. 1009 (or L.R. 9060(D) if applicable). The debtor
must file a certificate of service listing:
1.
2.
the name and corrected address of all entities to whom notice was re-sent; and
the name and address of all parties whose notices were returned and for whom the debtor was
unable to locate a corrected address.
L.R. 2003 - § 341 Meetings.
A. Requests to Continue or Reschedule the § 341 Meeting, Notice of Re-setting, and Extension.
If the debtor or the debtor’s attorney knows in advance of the § 341 Meeting that the debtor or
attorney cannot attend the § 341 Meeting as scheduled, the debtor’s attorney (or the debtor if not
represented by an attorney) must contact the Trustee (or the United States Trustee in a Chapter 11
case where no Trustee has been appointed) as far in advance of the § 341 Meeting as possible to
request a continued hearing date. If continued, the debtor’s attorney (or the debtor if not represented
by an attorney) must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
prepare and file a notice of the continued § 341 Meeting;
serve notice of the continued § 341 Meeting date on the Trustee and on all creditors and
parties in interest and, in Chapter 11 cases, on the United States Trustee; and
file a certificate of service with the Court.
in Chapter 13 cases, the debtor’s attorney (or the debtor if pro se) must also obtain a continued
confirmation hearing date from the Courtroom Deputy and include the continued confirmation
date in the notice of the continued § 341 Meeting mailed to all creditors and parties in interest.
B. Continuance of the § 341 Meeting Announced at Meeting.
The Trustee or the United States Trustee may continue a § 341 Meeting from time to time by
announcement at the § 341 Meeting. The Trustee or the United States Trustee will list the
continued date, time, and location for the continued meeting by making a docket entry using the
Court’s CM/ECF system. No further notice of the continued date is required except as stated in
L.R. 2003(C).
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C. Failure to Attend the § 341 Meeting.
If the debtor, without being excused, fails to attend the first scheduled § 341 Meeting, the Trustee
will list the date, time, and location for a continued § 341 Meeting by making a docket entry within
the Court’s CM/ECF system. The Trustee will serve written notice of the date, time, and location
for the continued § 341 Meeting on the debtor and the debtor’s attorney (if any). The Trustee will
either file a copy of the notice with the Court or retain a copy of the notice in the Trustee’s files for
at least six (6) months after the case is closed. If the debtor fails to appear at the second § 341
Meeting without being excused, the Trustee will file a request asking that the case be dismissed.
D. Required Documents at the § 341 Meeting.
If the schedules and statements (and plan in a Chapter 13 case) are filed within ten (10) days of the
scheduled § 341 Meeting, the debtor must contact the Trustee (or the United States Trustee in a
Chapter 11 case where no Trustee has been appointed) to verify whether a new § 341 Meeting date
will be required and, if so, the debtor must fully comply with L.R. 2003(A). The debtor must
provide the trustee with the documentation specified in the Procedures Manual fourteen (14) days
prior to the § 341 Meeting.
E. Waiver of Attendance.
A request by a debtor to be excused from attendance at the meeting of creditors must be made in
writing to the Office of the United States Trustee and copied to the Trustee, if any. The procedure
for requesting a waiver of attendance at the § 341 meeting and the United States Trustee’s
acceptable grounds for waiver are set forth in the Procedures Manual.
L.R. 2004 - Motion for Examination under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004.
A. Parties to Confer.
Except for cause shown in the motion, prior to filing any motion for an examination under Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2004, the party seeking the examination must contact the individual or entity to be
examined to attempt to reach agreement about the date, time, and place for the examination. If the
individual or entity is represented by an attorney, and this is known to the party seeking the
examination, the party seeking the examination must contact the individual or entity’s attorney
rather than directly contacting the individual or entity.
B. Consent Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 Motions.
A motion for examination under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 which certifies that the parties have agreed
to the specific arrangements described in the motion will be granted without hearing. At the time
the motion is filed, the movant must submit, via the Judge’s e-mail, a proposed order to the Court
which contains the name of the person or entity to be examined, the date, time, and place of the
examination, and a description of any documents to be produced if there has been agreement on
production of documents.
C. Contested Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 Motions.
If the parties are unable to agree to the taking of a proposed Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 examination, the
motion seeking the examination must state:
1.
2.
3.
the need for the examination and the nature of the dispute;
a proposed time, date, and place of the examination;
a list of any documents to be produced; and
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4.
the efforts that were made to reach an agreement regarding the examination.
A proposed order granting the motion must be submitted to the Judge’s e-mail at the time the
motion is filed. The proposed order must specify the name of the person or entity to be examined,
the date, time, and place of the examination and any documents to be produced. The movant must
provide a copy of the Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004 motion and proposed order to the attorney for the
person or entity to be examined, or to the person or entity if not represented by an attorney, to the
Trustee, and, in Chapter 11 cases, to the United States Trustee. Any objection to the motion must
be filed no later than seven (7) days after service of the motion.
L.R. 2014 - Employment of Professionals.
A. General Requirements.
Except for employment of an attorney for the debtor in Chapter 13 cases, an application for
employment of attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auctioneers, agents or other professionals
pursuant to Bankruptcy Code §§ 327 or 1103 must meet the requirements of Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2014.
Such application must disclose any pre-petition retainer arrangement as required in L.R. 2016-1(A).
Applications for employment must be served on all entities filing a request for notice, other counsel
of record, the Trustee, the United States Trustee, and any committees. The application will
ordinarily be considered without hearing under L.R. 9062. Any objection to the application must be
filed immediately.
B. Employment of Counsel for Debtors in Chapter 13 Cases.
Procedures governing employment, compensation, and specific duties of counsel for debtors in
Chapter 13 cases are set forth in L.R. 2016-3.
L.R. 2015-1 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 12 Case.
A. Duties on Commencement of Case.
No later than seven (7) days after the filing of the Notice of Appointment of Trustee, the debtor
must tender to the Chapter 12 Trustee the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). The Chapter 12
Trustee will hold these funds in escrow for the purpose of compensation for services rendered and
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The dollar amount for deposit is subject to adjustment
by the Court upon the request of any interested party. Payment of compensation and reimbursement
to the Chapter 12 Trustee from the escrowed funds is subject to allowance and approval by further
order of the Court under Sections 503(b), 330, 331 and 1226 of the Bankruptcy Code, Federal Rule
of Bankruptcy Procedure 2016 and Local Rule 2016-1. Failure of the debtor to tender the required
amount within seven (7) days after notification of the appointment of the Chapter 12 Trustee is
cause for dismissal of the case.
B. Duty to Disclose Disposable Income.
On the first anniversary of confirmation of a Chapter 12 plan and not less frequently than annually
thereafter, the debtor must account to the Trustee for all disposable income as defined in
Bankruptcy Code § 1225(b)(2). The debtor must provide the Trustee with reasonable information,
summaries, and documentation evidencing all receipts and disbursements of money and property
over the prior year to enable the Trustee to determine whether the debtor has disposable income
which should be applied to make plan payments under Bankruptcy Code § 1225(b)(1)(B). Failure to
comply with this Rule will be cause for dismissal or other appropriate action. Nothing in this Rule
precludes the Trustee from obtaining an order of Court requiring disclosures more frequently than
annually.
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L.R. 2015-2 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 13 Case.
A. Wage Order.
If the debtor in a Chapter 13 case is employed, the Court recommends that the debtor use the Court
Wage Order Program to file a virtual motion for Wage Order. This will cause the Court’s CM/ECF
system to automatically create the wage order. If a motion is filed outside of the Wage Order
Program, a proposed order must be submitted to the Court simultaneously via the Judge’s e-mail.
The motion to enter wage order may be filed simultaneously with the bankruptcy petition.
B. Disclosure of Material Change in Financial Condition.
The debtor in a Chapter 13 case must disclose to the Trustee and to the debtor’s attorney any
material change in debtor's income or expenses or acquisition of a significant asset during the life of
the plan. This duty to disclose is a continuing duty throughout the life of the plan.
C. Insurance on Motor Vehicles in Chapter 13 Cases.
1.
Required Coverage. The debtor in a Chapter 13 case must maintain insurance on any motor
vehicle on which a lien exists to secure a debt. Absent agreement between the debtor and the
lienholder, the debtor must:
2.
a.
prepay at least three (3) months insurance on the vehicle if the debtor has allowed their
insurance coverage on the vehicle to lapse within the previous twelve (12) months; and
b.
provide for the collision and comprehensive deductible to be $500.00 and provide for the
insurance policy to name the lienholder as a loss payee. If the security agreement or
other contract requires a deductible lower than $500.00, such contract will govern the
amount of deductible the debtor is required to maintain during the bankruptcy case.
Proof of Insurance Coverage. The debtor in a Chapter 13 case must provide the lienholder
with proof of insurance providing full coverage from the date of the bankruptcy petition. If the
debtor has allowed their insurance policy to lapse within the twelve (12) months prior to the
date of the bankruptcy petition, the debtor must provide the lienholder with proof of three (3)
months prepaid insurance providing full coverage from the date of the bankruptcy petition. If
the insurance policy lapses during the pendency of the case, the debtor is required to provide
new proof of coverage, which must include proof of three (3) months prepaid insurance. A
copy of the policy or the policy declaration sheet and a copy of a receipt or similar payment
statement from an insurance agent on company letterhead may be used as proof of coverage if
the documents verify the terms of coverage and pre- payment of premiums.
L.R. 2015-3 - Duty of Debtor in Chapter 11 Case.
A. General Requirements.
Refer to the Procedures Manual for general information regarding various obligations of the debtor
in a Chapter 11 case.
B. Insurance Requirements - Debtor-in-Possession.
1.
General Requirements. All debtors in a Chapter 11 case in which no Trustee has been
appointed must:
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a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
insure all estate assets against physical damage and loss with policy limits covering the
asset values stated in the debtor’s schedules;
if applicable, maintain liability coverage for the debtor’s operations and businesses;
if applicable, and as appropriate or customary for the debtor’s industry, maintain
additional types of insurance (workers compensation, products liability, or professional
liability); and
require insurer(s) to notify the United States Trustee of any insurance claims or lapses of
coverage.
Proof of Insurance. Upon request of any party, the Trustee or the United States Trustee, the
debtor must provide proof of insurance, which must include a certificate of insurance, binder,
or other document(s) from the insurance carrier stating amounts, types and period of coverage,
and notification of any secured party as loss payee. Failure to provide such proof gives rise to
a presumption that no insurance is in effect.
C. Subchapter V Specific Duties
No later than seven (7) days after the filing of the Notice of Appointment of Trustee, the debtor
must tender to the Subchapter V Trustee the sum of $1,000.00. The Subchapter V Trustee will hold
these funds in escrow for the purpose of compensation for services rendered and reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses. The dollar amount for deposit is subject to adjustment by the Court upon
the request of any interested party. Payment of compensation and reimbursement to the Subchapter
V Trustee from the escrowed funds is subject to allowance and approval by further order of the
Court under Sections 503(b), 330, 331 and 1194 of the Bankruptcy Code, Federal Rule of
Bankruptcy Procedure 2016 and Local Rule 2016-1. Failure of the debtor to tender the required
amount within seven (7) days after notification of the appointment of the Subchapter V Trustee is
cause for dismissal of the case.
L.R. 2016-1 - Compensation of Professionals.
A. Disclosure of Compensation and Pre-petition Retainers.
Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code § 329 and Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b), an attorney representing a debtor
in a case under any chapter should file with the petition a statement disclosing compensation paid or
agreed to be paid to such attorney for services in contemplation of or in connection with the case.
Counsel must serve the disclosure on the Trustee and United States Trustee. In Chapter 13 cases,
counsel must serve only the Trustee. Until a case is closed, a supplemental fee disclosure statement
must be filed and served as required in this Rule either no later than fourteen (14) days after any
payment not previously disclosed in a properly filed Disclosure of Compensation for Attorney for
Debtor pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b), or no later than fourteen (14) days after the agreement
for such a payment. Monies received but not subsequently disclosed are subject to disgorgement.
Payment of any funds to debtor’s counsel and any retainer arrangement must be included in the
application to employ under L.R. 2014(A).
B. Applications for Compensation.
1.
Format of Application for Compensation. Except in certain Chapter 13 cases as
governed by L.R. 2016-3(A) (concerning the “Flat Fee Option”), all professionals employed
under Bankruptcy Code §§ 327 and 1103 must file an application for allowance of
compensation following the “Guidelines for Compensation” set forth in the Procedures
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Manual. In a case under any chapter, applications for compensation exceeding $15,000.00
must utilize a “project billing” format.
2.
Service of Applications for Compensation. Unless service is limited by Fed. R. Bankr.
P. 2002(a)(6) (for limited-amount applications), by Standing Order in a Chapter 11 case, or
otherwise, a professional seeking compensation or reimbursement of expenses must serve
either a copy of the application or a summary of the application using Local Form 4 or Local
Form 5 on the debtor (if not represented by an attorney), the debtor’s attorney (if any), the
Trustee, and all creditors and parties in interest. In Chapter 13 cases, a complete copy of the
application must be served on the Trustee. In all other cases, a complete copy of the
application must be served on the Office of the United States Trustee. Local Form 4,
“Summary of Application for Compensation,” must be used in any case except Chapter 11.
Local Form 5, “Notice of Hearing and Summary of Application for Compensation in Chapter
11 Case,” must be used in Chapter 11 cases. Any summary of the application must explain
how copies of the full application may be obtained by others for review without charge.
C. Reimbursement of Expenses
Reimbursement of expenses is subject to review under § 330(a). Professionals should reference the
Court’s Procedures Manual for details regarding the types of expenses that ordinarily will be
allowed, allowed with additional explanation under § 330(a)(1)(B), and ordinarily not allowed.
D. Objections to Applications for Compensation.
1.
In all Cases Except Chapter 11. In a case under any chapter except Chapter 11, any
objection to an application for compensation must be filed and served no later than twenty-one
(21) days after service of the application. A copy of the objection must be served on the
applicant, the debtor, the debtor’s attorney (if any), the Trustee (if any), the Trustee’s attorney,
and the United States Trustee. In Chapter 13 cases, the United States Trustee need not be
served.
2.
In Chapter 11 Cases. In Chapter 11 cases, any objection to an application for compensation
must be filed and served no later than fourteen (14) days before the hearing on the application.
A copy of the objection must be served on the applicant, the debtor, the debtor’s attorney (if
any), the Trustee, and the United States Trustee.
E. Hearings on Applications for Compensation.
1.
Negative Notice in all Cases Except Chapter 11. In a case under any chapter except
Chapter 11, hearings on applications for compensation will be held on Negative Notice
pursuant to L.R. 9061. If an objection is filed, the applicant must set the application for
hearing, providing twenty-one (21) days notice to the debtor, the debtor’s attorney (if any), the
Trustee, the United States Trustee (except in Chapter 13 cases), and any entity filing an
objection. The Negative Notice of hearing and summary of application may be combined
using Local Form 4, “Summary & Notice of Application for Compensation.”
2.
Chapter 11 Cases. In Chapter 11 cases, unless otherwise ordered, the applicant must
immediately set the application for the next scheduled fee hearing and provide no less than
thirty (30) days notice to all entities served with the application or summary of the application.
The notice of hearing and summary of application may be combined using Local Form 5,
“Notice of Hearing and Summary of Application for Compensation in Chapter 11 Case.”
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L.R. 2016-2 - Payment of Professional Fees in Chapter 11 Cases.
A. General Requirements in Chapter 11 Cases.
The requirements of L.R. 2016-1 apply in Chapter 11 cases.
B. Monthly Bills (Fee Statements) in Chapter 11 Cases.
In Chapter 11 cases, the debtor is authorized to pay 80% of a professional’s fees and 100% of the
professional’s expenses on a monthly basis in accordance with this Rule. To receive compensation
on a monthly basis prior to allowance on an interim application, the professional must prepare a bill
or fee statement in compliance with the Court’s “Guidelines for Compensation” in the Procedures
Manual and must submit the statement to the L.R. 9013-3(D) Master Service List or to those who
would be on such a list. Any objections to the statement must be submitted to the applicant. If any
objections are unresolved after the parties confer, the objecting party must file the objection with the
Court and attach a copy of the fee statement to the objection. The Court will determine whether to
set the matter for hearing. All monthly payments of fees and expenses are subject to approval,
modification or disgorgement on interim application which may not be filed sooner than every 120
days nor less frequently than every 180 days. In any case that has been pending more than 180
days, a professional may not, in the Court’s discretion, be permitted to receive payment on a
monthly bill or fee statement unless such professional has filed one or more interim fee applications
covering all services provided more than 180 days before the date of such monthly bill or fee
statement.
C. Interim Applications in Chapter 11 Cases.
In Chapter 11 cases, unless otherwise ordered, any professional employed under Bankruptcy Code
§§ 327 or 1103 may be paid 80% of the professional’s fees and 100% of the professional’s expenses
approved on an interim application or applications that may be filed not sooner than every 120 days
nor less frequently than every 180 days. Hearings on interim applications must be scheduled by the
applicant on no less than 30 days notice following the procedures of L.R. 2016-1(D).
L.R. 2016-3 - Employment and Compensation of Debtor’s Counsel in Chapter 13 Cases.
A. Fee Election Requirements.
Attorneys for debtors in Chapter 13 cases may receive compensation for professional services and
reimbursement of expenses under either a “Flat Fee Option” or a “Fee Application Option” in
accordance with these Rules. Attorneys for debtors in Chapter 13 cases must disclose which fee
election option the attorney elects by using the “Attorney Fee Election Form” event in the CM/ECF
system. Such fee election event must be completed at the time of the attorney’s initial Fed. R.
Bankr. P. 2016(b) disclosure.
1.
Flat Fee Option. Attorneys for debtors in Chapter 13 cases who elect the “Flat Fee Option”
are, without application to the Court, permitted to be paid attorneys’ fees, including expenses,
not to exceed $5,800.00 for cases filed on or after December 1, 2024 (plus the filing fee if the
filing fee is advanced).
2.
Fee Application Option. Attorneys for debtors in Chapter 13 cases who elect the “Fee
Application Option” in cases filed on or after December 1, 2025, are permitted to be paid up to
$3,600 (plus the filing fee if the filing fee is advanced) in accord with a confirmed Chapter 13
27
plan, subject to approval, modification or disgorgement, but counsel must file an initial fee
application promptly after receipt of $3,600 from any sources. All other fees will be allowed
to the debtor’s attorneys who elect the “Fee Application Option” only on subsequent fee
application/s filed in accordance with L.R. 2016-1(B).
B. Service of Applications.
Service must be in accordance with L.R. 2016-1(B)(2).
C. Fees upon Pre-confirmation Case Dismissal.
If a debtor’s attorney wishes to receive fees in a case that has been dismissed prior to confirmation
of a chapter 13 plan, the attorney must, within fourteen (14) days of the entry of the dismissal order,
(1) file an application for an order allowing the fees as a bankruptcy code § 503(b) expense, and (2)
obtain an order directing the trustee to hold funds pending resolution of the fee application. If the
fee sought, including fees paid prior to filing of the case, does not exceed $1,000.00, the attorney
may use the Court’s Short Form Attorney Fee Application and may file the application as a motion
without hearing pursuant to L.R. 9062. If the fee sought, including fees paid prior to filing of the
case, exceeds $1,000.00, the application must comply with the form, notice and hearing
requirements of L.R. 2016-1.
L.R. 2016-4 - Payment of Chapter 12 Trustee Fees.
Trustee fees for non-standing Trustees in Chapter 12 cases must not exceed 5% of all payments
distributed under the plan. This limitation does not apply to requests for reimbursement of expenses.
Except for expense reimbursement authorized under L.R. 2015-1(A), or the terms of a confirmed plan
which authorize to the contrary, the Trustee must apply to the Court for allowance of fees and expenses
in accordance with the procedures of L.R. 2016-1(B). Such fees and expenses may be paid from: (1)
funds held by the Trustee as a result of the deposit of 5% of all plan payments; (2) the deposit of
$1,000.00 under L.R. 2015-1(A); or (3) as otherwise ordered. Compensation paid to the Trustee will not
be less than $5.00 per month from any distribution under the plan during the administration of the plan.
L.R. 2090 - Attorney Admission.
A. General Admission to Practice before the Bankruptcy Court.
The bar of this Court will consist of any attorney in good standing to practice before the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The requirements for attorney admission,
standards concerning attorney discipline, law clerks, and law student practice outlined in the Local
Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri are adopted for this
Court. Attorneys are required to read and remain familiar with:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
these Local Rules and the Procedures Manual;
Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the
accompanying Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement;
Local Rules of Procedure for the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel and Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals;
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure;
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;
Federal Rules of Evidence; and
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
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B. Admission Pro Hac Vice and Local Counsel.
1. Motion. An attorney who is not a member of this Court but is a member in good standing of
the bar of the highest court of any state or the District of Columbia may be permitted to appear
(including by telephone) and file documents in a case before this Court only when admitted
pro hac vice pursuant to applicable rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri. The Motion should be filed using Local Form 7 (with any necessary
modifications) and must be accompanied by the registration fee payable to the United States
District Court. If the motion is a paper filing, the movant must provide a check made payable
to “Clerk, U.S. District Court” at the time of filing the motion. The Court will consider such
motions without hearing. Counsel must serve the Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice on
attorneys for the party(ies) involved in the matter for which counsel seeks admission, the
Trustee, and, in Chapter 11 cases, the United States Trustee. The Court may deny a pro hac
vice motion for any reason, including a disbarment or suspension from any court. Admission
by pro hac vice in a lead bankruptcy case is applicable to all associated cases.
2.
Local Counsel. The Court encourages visiting attorneys admitted pro hac vice to affiliate
with local counsel. Both visiting and local counsel must be listed on all filings and must
receive service of documents. If local counsel files the Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice
on behalf of a visiting attorney, the motion should be filed electronically. When such motion is
filed, the Clerk of Court’s office will contact the CM/ECF filer regarding the method of
payment.
3.
Appearance without Pro Hac Vice Admission. An attorney who is not admitted to this
Court may appear without pro hac vice admission to file a Notice of Appearance and Request
for Service and to file a proof of claim.
L.R. 2091 - Withdrawal of Counsel.
A. General Requirements.
1. Withdrawal by Notice. An attorney of record may withdraw from a case or an adversary
proceeding, with the client’s informed consent, by filing a notice of withdrawal in substantial
conformity with Local Form 30 or 31 if:
a. Another attorney who is admitted to practice in this district has already entered an appearance
for the client or is entering an appearance simultaneously with the outgoing attorney’s notice
of withdrawal; or
b. The outgoing attorney represents a party other than the debtor, a trustee, or an official
committee, (ii) the attorney wishes to withdraw from a main bankruptcy case, and (iii) the
client does not have any pending matters associated with that case.
2. Withdrawal by Motion. In all other circumstances, an attorney of record may withdraw from
a main case or an adversary proceeding only by order of the Court after filing and service of a
motion to withdraw as counsel. The motion must state whether the client has expressly consented
to the attorney’s withdrawal and must list any pending matters and upcoming hearing dates that
the client has in the main case or adversary proceeding. The Court may rule on the motion without
a hearing.
3. Substitution of Counsel. A notice of withdrawal may be combined with the entry of
appearance of incoming counsel, as in Local Form 31. If the client is unable to get the outgoing
29
attorney to sign or file the necessary notice of withdrawal, the incoming attorney must file a
motion to substitute counsel setting forth the incoming attorney’s good-faith efforts to locate and
communicate with the outgoing attorney about the substitution. The Court may rule on the motion
without a hearing.
4. Service of Notices of Withdrawal and Motions to Withdraw or Substitute. Any notice
of withdrawal, motion to withdraw, or motion to substitute must be served on the client, any
Trustee, and all entities having filed a request for notice. Service on the client must be consistent
with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004. A motion to substitute also must be served on the outgoing attorney.
In Chapter 11 cases, a notice or motion must also be served on the United States Trustee and any
official committees.
5. Disclosure of Compensation. Incoming counsel who represents a debtor must file an Attorney
Compensation Disclosure (Official Form B2030) and, in a Chapter 13 case, an Attorney Fee
Election Form within fourteen (14) days after entering an appearance.
B. Chapter 13 Attorneys Fees.
In Chapter 13 cases, the Trustee will cease payment of attorneys’ fees to an attorney who has, by
order of the Court, been allowed to withdraw from a case unless the Court orders differently. An
attorney entering as counsel for the debtor in a Chapter 13 case may, only within seven (7) days
following the attorney’s entry as counsel of record, petition not to be bound by the withdrawing
attorney’s fee election. Absent such a petition, the new attorney will be bound by the withdrawing
attorney’s fee election. The new attorney may not petition the Court not to be bound by the
withdrawing attorney’s fee election if the withdrawing attorney and the incoming attorney are
employed by the same firm.
L.R. 2092 - Attorney Changes of Address.
Attorneys must keep their mailing address, e-mail address, and other information current in the
Judiciary’s PACER system (https://pacer.uscourts.gov/) by using the “Manage My Account” feature in
the system and selecting the appropriate option within the “Maintenance” tab. Failure of an attorney to
so maintain the attorney’s account may lead to loss of login privileges without notice.
L.R. 2093 - Professional Conduct and Obligations of Attorneys.
A. Professional Conduct.
The professional conduct of attorneys appearing before this Court is governed by the Rules of
Professional Conduct adopted by the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Rules of Disciplinary
Enforcement of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, and these
Rules.
B. Duty to Confer.
Every attorney appearing before this Court is required to attempt, in good faith, to communicate
with opposing counsel in advance of appearing in any trial or hearing in a contested matter in an
attempt to reach agreement on the matter.
C. Obligations of Attorneys.
1.
With respect to hearings:
a.
Attorneys must comply with L.R. 2093(B).
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b.
Attorneys must appear at all scheduled hearings, unless:
i.
counsel advises the Court prior to the hearing that the matter has been resolved;
ii.
at least one attorney appears and reports the matter has been resolved;
iii.
the Court has continued the matter; or
iv.
the Court has otherwise excused attendance.
2.
Attorneys for debtors must file all required documents, including the attorney fee disclosure
statement required by L.R. 2016-1(A).
3.
Legal Services of Debtor’s Counsel. Regardless of which chapter of the Bankruptcy Code
the case is under, debtor’s counsel must provide all legal services necessary for representation
of the debtor in connection with the bankruptcy case until conclusion of the case, except for, at
the discretion of debtor’s counsel, representation of the debtor in an adversary proceeding
and/or an appeal, for the fee set forth in the attorney fee disclosure statement filed with the
Court pursuant to L.R. 2016-1(A). “Unbundling” of legal services or any similar arrangement
is prohibited, and debtor’s counsel must not include any language in the attorney fee
disclosure statement or in a client agreement that contradicts or is inconsistent with this Rule.
Debtor’s counsel may, subject to any applicable Bankruptcy Code sections and rules
governing compensation of professionals, be additionally compensated for representation of
the debtor in an adversary proceeding and/or an appeal. This is regardless of the fee option
selected in a Chapter 13 case.
L.R. 2094 - Attorney Discipline
A. Disbarment or Suspension by Another Court.
Any attorney that has been admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri that becomes disbarred or suspended from practicing law by any court will
automatically be disbarred or suspended in this Court for the same length of time as the attorney’s
disbarment or suspension in the original court. Any such attorney should, immediately upon
disbarment or suspension, notify the Clerk of Court of the disbarment or suspension in writing.
Failure to do so will subject the attorney to further sanctions by this Court.
B. Request for Reinstatement.
Any attorney disbarred or suspended from practicing in this Court pursuant to L.R. 2094(A) may
file a motion with the Court requesting that the Court reinstate the attorney before the expiration of
the disbarment or suspension in the original court. The Clerk of Court will then open a
miscellaneous proceeding assigned to the Chief Judge of this Court. The Court will set a hearing at
which the attorney will be required to show cause as to why the attorney should not continue to be
disbarred or suspended in this Court.
C. Non-exclusivity.
Nothing in this Rule precludes the Court from initiating its own attorney disciplinary proceedings
regardless of whether a
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