Pro Se Debtors
NOTICE
341 HEARINGS FOR PRO SE DEBTORS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM or FACETIME
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PRO SE DEBTORS MUST CONTACT
Edith Forbes at eforbes@ph13trustee.com (215-627-1377 ext 113)
If you filed a bankruptcy Petition and are seeking relief from your creditors through a chapter 13 case, you are a “Debtor.” If you filed a bankruptcy case on your own, without using an attorney, and if you intend to represent yourself in Bankruptcy Court, you are a “Pro Se Debtor.”
The law does not require a bankruptcy Debtor to have an attorney. But, bankruptcy is complicated, and neither your chapter 13 trustee nor the Bankruptcy Court can give you any legal advice. If you are representing yourself, you are on your own when it comes to setting up a chapter 13 Plan that does what it is legally required to do, and gives you the benefits and options to which you are entitled under the law.
Statistically your chances of success go up considerably if you use an attorney.
Useful Information: Individuals Filing Documents without an Attorney
Most people who file bankruptcy as Pro Se Debtors do so because an attorney can be expensive. But attorneys who represent bankruptcy Debtors understand that you may not have a lot of money to pay them up front. As a result, most attorneys are willing to work with you on your fees, and they can help you find ways to pay. It all depends on your individual situation.
If you filed your own bankruptcy case, but you are having second thoughts about trying to do this alone, there are attorneys who may be able to help you. If you want to talk to an attorney:
Pro-Se Debtors are strongly encouraged to find an attorney – Link: Help Finding an Attorney
A Pro Se Debtor must submit documents via regular mail or scanned pdfs can be submitted to Edith Forbes at eforbes@ph13trustee.com (215-627-1377 ext 113). DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TIMELY – PURSUANT TO DEADLINES SET BY THE TRUSTEE’S OFFICE AND/OR THE BANKRUPTCY CODE.
IMPORTANT NOTICE OF REDACTION RESPONSIBILITY: All filers must redact: Social Security or taxpayer-identification numbers; dates of birth; names of minor children; and financial account numbers, in compliance with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037. This requirement applies to all documents, including attachments.
Bankruptcy Court Location and Phone Number
Your bankruptcy petition and all court pleadings must be brought to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office for filing. The Clerk’s Office is located as follows:
Street Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Courthouse
900 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: (215) 408-2800
Hours: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
For further information, security requirements and directions to the Courthouse, please visit the Court website.
The Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clerk’s Office is closed on federal holidays.
Important Legal Resources and Forms
If you choose to proceed without a lawyer, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the following statutes and rules before you file your bankruptcy case.
United States Bankruptcy Code Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Hard copies of the Local Bankruptcy Rules and Forms are available at the Clerk’s office upon request.
Additional Forms required for Pro Se Debtors:
Pro Se Statement:
Local Bankruptcy Form 2016-4, Statement of Pro Se Debtor(s)
Link to EDPA Version: Microsoft Word – LBF Packet – 7-31-17 (uscourts.gov)
Pre-confirmation Certification:
(L.B.F. 3015-6A) – see http://www.paeb.uscourts.gov/content/local-bankruptcy-forms
As a Pro Se Debtor please familiarize yourself with all of the information contained in the “Debtor” sections and the “Attorney” sections of this website. Failure to follow the statute and rules may result in adverse consequences, including loss of property, loss of the bankruptcy discharge and/or dismissal of your case.
NOTICE
341 HEARINGS FOR PRO SE DEBTORS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM or FACETIME
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PRO SE DEBTORS MUST CONTACT
Edith Forbes at eforbes@ph13trustee.com (215-627-1377 ext 113)
If you filed a bankruptcy Petition and are seeking relief from your creditors through a chapter 13 case, you are a “Debtor.” If you filed a bankruptcy case on your own, without using an attorney, and if you intend to represent yourself in Bankruptcy Court, you are a “Pro Se Debtor.”
The law does not require a bankruptcy Debtor to have an attorney. But, bankruptcy is complicated, and neither your chapter 13 trustee nor the Bankruptcy Court can give you any legal advice. If you are representing yourself, you are on your own when it comes to setting up a chapter 13 Plan that does what it is legally required to do, and gives you the benefits and options to which you are entitled under the law.
Statistically your chances of success go up considerably if you use an attorney.
Useful Information: Individuals Filing Documents without an Attorney
Most people who file bankruptcy as Pro Se Debtors do so because an attorney can be expensive. But attorneys who represent bankruptcy Debtors understand that you may not have a lot of money to pay them up front. As a result, most attorneys are willing to work with you on your fees, and they can help you find ways to pay. It all depends on your individual situation.
If you filed your own bankruptcy case, but you are having second thoughts about trying to do this alone, there are attorneys who may be able to help you. If you want to talk to an attorney:
Pro-Se Debtors are strongly encouraged to find an attorney – Link: Help Finding an Attorney
A Pro Se Debtor must submit documents via regular mail or scanned pdfs can be submitted to Edith Forbes at eforbes@ph13trustee.com (215-627-1377 ext 113). DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TIMELY – PURSUANT TO DEADLINES SET BY THE TRUSTEE’S OFFICE AND/OR THE BANKRUPTCY CODE.
IMPORTANT NOTICE OF REDACTION RESPONSIBILITY: All filers must redact: Social Security or taxpayer-identification numbers; dates of birth; names of minor children; and financial account numbers, in compliance with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037. This requirement applies to all documents, including attachments.
Bankruptcy Court Location and Phone Number
Your bankruptcy petition and all court pleadings must be brought to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office for filing. The Clerk’s Office is located as follows:
Street Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Courthouse
900 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: (215) 408-2800
Hours: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
For further information, security requirements and directions to the Courthouse, please visit the Court website.
The Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clerk’s Office is closed on federal holidays.
Important Legal Resources and Forms
If you choose to proceed without a lawyer, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the following statutes and rules before you file your bankruptcy case.
United States Bankruptcy Code Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Hard copies of the Local Bankruptcy Rules and Forms are available at the Clerk’s office upon request.
Additional Forms required for Pro Se Debtors:
Pro Se Statement:
Local Bankruptcy Form 2016-4, Statement of Pro Se Debtor(s)
Link to EDPA Version: Microsoft Word – LBF Packet – 7-31-17 (uscourts.gov)
Pre-confirmation Certification:
(L.B.F. 3015-6A) – see http://www.paeb.uscourts.gov/content/local-bankruptcy-forms
As a Pro Se Debtor please familiarize yourself with all of the information contained in the “Debtor” sections and the “Attorney” sections of this website. Failure to follow the statute and rules may result in adverse consequences, including loss of property, loss of the bankruptcy discharge and/or dismissal of your case.