ATTENTION ALL CM/ECF USERS:
Attached please find a listing of CM/ECF event code updates that will become effective on Monday, May 7, 2012.
Please contact the ECF Help Desk at: ECF_Support@cacb.uscourts.gov with any questions you may have.
Best regards,
ECF Help Desk
(213) 894-2365
ATTENTION:
A new Public Notice – PN 12-008 Re: Comprehensive Report On Self-Represented Litigants In the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court- has been posted on the Court’s website and is attached here for your convenience.
Any questions may be directed to the ECF Help Desk at: ECF_support@cacb.uscourts.gov.
Best regards,
ECF Help Desk
(213) 894-2365
ATTENTION ALL CM/ECF USERS RE: Changing Password Information on Third Party Software
For attorneys who use Third Party Software, i.e, Best Case, etc., it is imperative that if you are changing your password in CM/ECF, you also update any password requirements in your software. Doing so will prevent you from being locked out of CM/ECF for unsuccessful login attempts.
Best regards,
ECF Help Desk
213) 894-2365
I posted a few days ago about the Forms Modernization Project, the efforts to modernize the bankruptcy forms we use. Prof. Katie Porter has a great post about the project on Credit Slips. She asked her bankruptcy students to comment on the new forms and the responses are very noteworthy. For example, one student commented that the means test forms should be first since the rest of the forms are meaningless if you don’t pass the means test. Another comment was to have separate forms for single filers as so many questions relate to spouses that are unecessary if you are single.
The powers to be are working on new “consumer friendly” bankruptcy forms. The Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules has promulgated new forms. You can access them here. Click on the bankruptcy committee line, then on the September 2011 line. Then scroll down to page 189 for the new forms. They look pretty nice to me. There are more pages but definitely easier to complete. If you have an opinion on the forms, you can send it to scott_myers@ao.uscourts.gov. Judge Elizabeth Perris is very involved in the new forms as well.
FYI, I learned from the deputy court clerk responsible for dismissals for Judge Mark Wallace that he instructs the court clerk’s office not to automatically dismiss any of his cases for debtors failing to comply with §109(h)’s terms, even if more than 45 days pass from the petition filing date. On the other hand Judge Wallace will allow the clerk’s office to dismiss if a debtor fails to file an executed form B22A more than 45 days pass from the petition filing date.
Mark Jessee
ATTENTION ATTORNEY FILERS – RE: CLARIFICATION WHEN Filing Financial Management Certificate Form 23
As you may recall, with the implementation of CM/ECF v. 4.1 in November 2011, changes were made to the way the Financial Management Certificate (Form 23) is filed electronically. Since the implementation of CM/ECF v. 4.1, we are finding that attorneys are incorrectly filing Form 23 on joint cases. This is not only causing the Discharge of Debtor to be delayed, but also additional work for the clerk’s office staff in monitoring these cases. To avoid errors and delays, please read and discuss the attached tips and instructions with pertinent office staff.
As always, thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation. Please feel free to contact the ECF Help Desk at: ECF_Support@cacb.uscourts.gov with any questions you may have.
Best regards,
ECF Help Desk (213) 894-2365
EBLAST TO EXTERNAL USERS:
Pay.gov, the national electronic payment system used by the Court, will be undergoing a system upgrade that will require an interruption in the capability of CM/ECF to accept payments.
CM/ECF users will not be able to make payments for fee documents on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 3:00 PM to approximately 5:00 PM. However, CM/ECF will be available during this period.
Payments for fee-related filings made during this interruption must be settled later in the day, or the CM/ECF user will be blocked from electronic filing in CM/ECF.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Should you have any questions, please contact the ECF Help Desk during normal business hours at (213) 894-2365.
Central district news and interesting tidbits from cdcbaa President Keith Higginbotham:
-The next four cdcbaa meetings will be held on 2/4/12; 3/3/12; 4/21/12; 5/19/12.
– Hon. Ellen Carrol is retiring on February 6, 2012 and Hon. Robert Kwan will move to the Los Angeles Division to fill the vacancy. Hon. Catherine Bauer will move to the Santa Ana Division and take over Judge Kwan’s calendar.
– There is a new judge in the Riverside Division, Judge Mark Houle.
– The U.S. Trustee’s Office in Downtown is moving to 915 Wilshire Blvd., Wilshire and the 110 Freeway. The move will happen in July or August of this year.
– Tip for “Lam” Motions — attach a printout from the F.D.I.C.’s website to show that you have served the correct address for the bank whose lien you are trying to “strip.”
– Judges are starting to consider sanctioning attorneys who file both the RARA and the Statement of Limited Scope in chapter 13 cases.
ATTENTION ALL ATTORNEYS RE: Reaffirmation Hearing MCLE Program
Attorney training regarding Reaffirmation Agreements will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012 at the Roybal Building, Assembly Room 1268.
Please review attached flyer for additional information.
Best regards,
ECF Help Desk (213) 894-2365
Panel: Judge Zurzolo, Peter Lively, and Maggie Bordeaux
Two hour pro bono commitment required prior to program!
