NOTICE
341 HEARINGS FOR SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM
LINK to Andrew B. Finberg’s Zoom Meeting Room:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS MUST CONTACT Lu’Shell Alexander, Paralegal at [email protected]
(856-663-5002- ext. 128)
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 “Self-Represented 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:
https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/content/filing-bankruptcy-without-attorney
Most people who file bankruptcy as Self-Represented 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: https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/content/finding-lawyer
A Self-Represented Debtor must provide all required documents as scanned pdfs and submitted to https://www.bkdocs.us/
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.
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.
National Bankruptcy Forms – https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms
Local Bankruptcy Forms – https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/forms/all-forms
Local Bankruptcy Rules – https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/hearingdates/doc1/Local%20Rules%20Package%208-1-2023%20final%20updated%20links%202-5-24.pdf
Additional Forms required for Self-Represented Debtors:
Self-Represented Debtor Certification: https://www.standingtrustee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Self-Represented-Certification.pdf
Pre-confirmation Certification: Pre-Confirmation Certification of Default of Standing Trustee
As a Self-Represented Debtor please familiarize yourself with all of the information contained on the Trustee’s website. Failure to follow the statute and rules may result in adverse consequences, including loss of property, denial of a bankruptcy discharge and/or dismissal of your case.
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:
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 401 Market Street Camden, NJ 08101 Phone (856) 361-2300
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 – https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-holidays