{"id":430,"date":"2024-10-07T14:30:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T18:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/?page_id=430"},"modified":"2025-03-26T09:45:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T13:45:57","slug":"self-represented-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/?page_id=430","title":{"rendered":"Self-Represented Debtors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:936%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">NOTICE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">341 HEARINGS FOR SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">LINK to Andrew B. Finberg\u2019s Zoom Meeting Room:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/5718549346?pwd=MkhqSU1xdDZ6YjkzRk1yY0F4bEtJdz09#success\">Launch Meeting &#8211; Zoom<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS MUST CONTACT Lu\u2019Shell Alexander, Paralegal at <a href=\"mailto:lalexander@standingtrustee.com\">lalexander@standingtrustee.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(856-663-5002- ext. 128)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:936%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>If you filed a bankruptcy Petition and are seeking relief from your creditors through a Chapter 13 case, you are a \u201cDebtor.\u201d 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 \u201cSelf-Represented Debtor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Statistically your chances of success go up considerably if you use an attorney.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-1 Welcome_Letter\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-1\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pro Se Welcome<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\">\n<h3><strong>MEETING OF CREDITORS &amp; REQUIRED DOCUMENTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4>Meeting of Creditors<\/h4>\n<p>A Meeting of Creditors has been scheduled for your case. The meeting will be held remotely by video using Zoom. You will need a device (computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone) with a microphone and camera. Refer to the Bankruptcy Court\u2019s Notice of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case for the meeting date, time and Zoom information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Please join the meeting at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. You will be placed in a virtual \u201cwaiting room\u201d until your case is called. Please be patient and check your audio and video connections while waiting.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Required Documents<\/h4>\n<p>The following documents are required for each Debtor and must be received by the Trustee\u2019s office at least 7 days prior to your meeting date. All documents listed below must be submitted to the trustee electronically via <a href=\"https:\/\/https:\/\/www.bkdocs.us\">www.bkdocs.us<\/a>. <strong>DO NOT<\/strong> file these documents with the Bankruptcy Court.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Photo identification. Clear copy of a government issued unexpired picture identification (e.g., New Jersey Driver\u2019s License, New Jersey State ID, Passport or Military Identification.<\/li>\n<li>Proof of Social Security Number. Clear copy of a document with your full Social Security Number (e.g., Social Security card, IRS Form 1099, or W-2).<\/li>\n<li>Tax Returns. Last filed Federal Tax Return with all accompanying schedules and statements.\n<ul>\n<li>Completed \u201cDeclaration Concerning Tax Returns.\u201d See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/forms\">www.standingtrustee.com\/forms<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Pay Advices. Clear copies of all payment advices (pay stubs or wage statements) that you received from your employer for the 60-day period before you filed your petition and a current pay stub dated after the date of filing. If pay advices are not available for any portion of the required pre-petition period,\n<ul>\n<li>Debtors must file a completed, \u201cStatement Concerning Pay Advices.\u201d(See, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/forms\">www.standingtrustee.com\/forms<\/a>);<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Self-Represented Debtor Certification. See www.standingtrustee.com\/Self-Represented Debtors;<\/li>\n<li>If there is a Domestic Support Obligation, provide recipient(s)\u2019 name, current address(es), and case number(s);<\/li>\n<li>Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), Broker\u2019s Price Opinion (BPO) or Appraisal with a conclusion on all property owned by Debtor(s), prepared within one year of the filing of the petition, and payoff statements for all liens on each property;<\/li>\n<li>All information on any pending lawsuit(s) (including, but not limited to, attorney\u2019s name, nature of lawsuit, and the status of the lawsuit); and<\/li>\n<li>HUD-1 for property sold within the two (2) years pre-petition or transferred within the six (6) year prepetition period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Submitting documents to the Trustee early is strongly encouraged. In the event documents are incomplete or do not comply with the requirements, you will have sufficient time to resubmit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Failure to provide the Trustee all documents referred to above may result in the dismissal of your case.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Download a copy of this information: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ProSe_Welcome_Letter.pdf\">Pro Se Welcome Letter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:936%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h4>Useful Information:<\/h4>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/content\/filing-bankruptcy-without-attorney\">https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/content\/filing-bankruptcy-without-attorney<\/a><\/h6>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Se Debtors are strongly encouraged to find an attorney \u2013 Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/content\/finding-lawyer\">https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/content\/finding-lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A Self-Represented Debtor must provide all required documents as scanned pdfs and submitted to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bkdocs.us\/\">https:\/\/www.bkdocs.us\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TIMELY \u2013 PURSUANT TO DEADLINES SET BY THE TRUSTEE\u2019S OFFICE AND\/OR THE BANKRUPTCY CODE.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h4>Important Legal Resources and Forms<\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>National Bankruptcy Forms &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/forms\/bankruptcy-forms\">https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/forms\/bankruptcy-forms<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Local Bankruptcy Forms &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/forms\/all-forms\">https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/forms\/all-forms<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Local Bankruptcy Rules &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/hearingdates\/doc1\/Local%20Rules%20Package%208-1-2023%20final%20updated%20links%202-5-24.pdf\">https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/hearingdates\/doc1\/Local%20Rules%20Package%208-1-2023%20final%20updated%20links%202-5-24.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><em>Additional Forms required for Self-Represented Debtors:<\/em><\/h4>\n<h5>Self-Represented Debtor Certification: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Self-Represented-Certification.pdf\">https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Self-Represented-Certification.pdf<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5>Pre-confirmation Certification: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/forms\/pre-confirmation-certification-default-standing-trustee\">Pre-Confirmation Certification of Default of Standing Trustee<\/a><\/h5>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">As a Self-Represented Debtor please familiarize yourself with all of the information contained on the Trustee\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><h5>Bankruptcy Court Location and Phone Number<\/h5>\n<p>Your bankruptcy petition and all court pleadings must be brought to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk\u2019s Office for filing. The Clerk\u2019s Office is located as follows:<\/p>\n<p>Street Address:<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 401 Market Street Camden, NJ 08101 Phone (856) 361-2300<\/p>\n<p>The Clerk\u2019s Office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clerk\u2019s Office is closed on federal holidays &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/court-info\/court-holidays\">https:\/\/www.njb.uscourts.gov\/court-info\/court-holidays<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-430","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=430"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":469,"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430\/revisions\/469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.standingtrustee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}