Electronic Self-Representation (eSR)
Bankruptcy Petition Preparation System for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Cases
THIS ONLINE TOOL IS FOR SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS ONLY
Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences - hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended. The Bankruptcy Court is not permitted to provide legal advice. Individuals filing for bankruptcy without an attorney are still responsible for knowing and following all legal requirements. Individuals are encouraged to consider free or low cost legal resources and legal service provider options before proceeding with the filing of a bankruptcy petition.
What is eSR?
- eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney.
Who can use eSR?
- Individuals who wish to file a bankruptcy petition and who live within the Southern District of Indiana can use eSR.
- eSR is not designed for business or corporate bankruptcy filings. eSR is only available for individual chapter 7 and chapter 13 filings.
Why use eSR?
- There is no cost to use eSR. Pay only the chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy filing fee.
- eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that allows you up to 45 days to complete your package and submit it to the Bankruptcy Court.
- Your personal information is only accessible to you using a unique login and password.
- eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any Internet-enabled computer.
- There is no software to download or purchase.
How do I use eSR?
- Obtain credit counseling from an approved credit counseling agency - the Bankruptcy Code requires debtors to have completed a credit counseling course before filing bankruptcy.
- Collect all your financial documents before you begin.
- Create a user profile, unique login, and password.
- Answer questions about your property, income and debts.
- Important Notes:
- If Official Form 101A - Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You is part of this bankruptcy petition package, you are required to serve a copy of this form on your landlord when you complete the instructions for filing for bankruptcy.
- A bankruptcy petition is NOT considered “filed” (and does not receive a case number) until all of the Required Documentation listed below is received and processed by the Bankruptcy Court.
- eSR only allows a one-time submission. Any schedules or statements not completed at the time the eSR package is submitted cannot be completed later using eSR. All subsequent pleadings and amendments must be filed on paper by submission to the Bankruptcy Court.
- If you are filing bankruptcy to delay or stop a foreclosure action on your home, it is very important for you to understand that the submission of a Bankruptcy Package does not mean that your case has been filed. You will not receive a case number until the Bankruptcy Court receives the Required Documentation listed below required to complete your filing.
Additional Steps After eSR Submission
- Required Documentation – Within 14 days of submitting a bankruptcy petition package through eSR, the Debtor(s) must submit the following additional items to the Bankruptcy Court:
- If you are not paying the entire filing fee upon case opening, a completed Official Form B103A – Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments or in a chapter 7 case only, Official Form B103B – Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived;
- A copy of a Certificate of Credit Counseling;
- A completed Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Self-Represented Individuals) ;
- A completed Official Form B121 – Statement About Your Social Security Numbers;
- A completed Verification of Creditor List; and
- Copies of pay stubs (all payment advices or other evidence of payment, if any, received by the debtor from an employer within 60 days before the filing of the petition) or if pay stubs are not available or do not exist, a signed Payment Advice Cover Sheet/Statement in Lieu of Payment Advice.
- Chapter 13 Plan – Within 14 days of case opening, a chapter 13 debtor must file a Chapter 13 Plan using the form specific to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
- Debtor Education - All individual debtors in a chapter 7 or chapter 13 case are required to file a statement regarding completion of a course in personal financial management as a condition for receiving a discharge, unless the Bankruptcy Court has granted a waiver of this requirement.
eSR Computer Requirements
- Internet connection.
- Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher).
- Pop-up blocker must be disabled.
- Printer.
- Browser requirements - It is recommended that you use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari.
eSR Help
- Contact the Bankruptcy Court with eSR technical or procedural questions.