Pro Se Debtors
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.
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 are represented by an attorney.
Most people who file bankruptcy as Pro Se Debtors do so because an attorney can be expensive. Attorneys representing bankruptcy debtors understand 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. If you filed your own bankruptcy case and are having second thoughts about trying to do this alone, there are attorneys who may be able to help you.
Useful Information:
Pre-confirmation Certification
Your bankruptcy petition must be brought to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Courthouse 900 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 215-408-2800.
341(a) Meeting of Creditors for Pro Se debtors will be held via Zoom. For additional hearing information send an email to 341@ph13trustee.com or call 215-627-1377 ext. 113
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.
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.
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.
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 are represented by an attorney.
Most people who file bankruptcy as Pro Se Debtors do so because an attorney can be expensive. Attorneys representing bankruptcy debtors understand 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. If you filed your own bankruptcy case and are having second thoughts about trying to do this alone, there are attorneys who may be able to help you.
Useful Information:
Pre-confirmation Certification
Your bankruptcy petition must be brought to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Courthouse 900 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 215-408-2800.
341(a) Meeting of Creditors for Pro Se debtors will be held via Zoom. For additional hearing information send an email to 341@ph13trustee.com or call 215-627-1377 ext. 113
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.
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.