Chapter 6 - Claims

Claims

Adding a Creditor

Remember to always search for a creditor before adding.

 

  • Click Add Creditor hyperlink.

  • Enter the Case Number.

  • The CREDITOR INFORMATION screen displays.

 

Note:  CM/ECF will warn the user if the case already contains creditors.

 

  • Enter the creditor name and address information.

 

Remember:        5 line maximum

Each line no more than 40 characters (Name may be 50)

Avoid special characters (# & C/O are okay)

Account number/attention line placed on line 2

City, State and zip code on last line

Zip + four must include hyphen

State must be 2 letter abbreviation

 

  • Type defaults to "Creditor".  Other values available may be:

 

Administrative

Limited Notice

Notice of Appearance

20 Largest Unsecured Creditors

 

  • If the creditor being added is a member of the creditor committee, click Yes
    after the Creditor Committee button.

  • If more than one creditor separate creditors with a blank line.

  • The TOTAL CREDITORS ENTERED screen will appear.

  • Verify the number of creditors you have entered.

  • If the number is not correct, click the browser's Back button to investigate your entries.

  • Otherwise, click Submit.

  • The CREDITORS RECEIPT screen will then display.

This screen confirms the number of creditor records that have been added to the creditor database.

When claims are filed in CM/ECF, they are attached to the specific creditor record of the claimant.

The Proof of Claim module is accessible on this screen so a claim can be added to this new creditor in one continuous. operation.

Claims Register

  • To run the Claims Register, click Reports or Query on the Main Menu Bar and then Claims Register hyperlink.  PACER charges will apply.

  • Enter Case Number.

  • Enter a File Date range.

  • Click Run Report.

Proof of Claim

When a proof of claim is filed in CM/ECF, the claim will be attached to the creditor record of the claimant.  One must first locate the creditor by searching the creditor database and then enter the corresponding claim.

 

Most often the creditor filing the claim already resides in the creditor data base. If the creditor cannot be located on the case, they should be added. Refer to instructions on adding a creditor.

 

Click the Bankruptcy hyperlink on the CM/ECF Main Menu.

  • Click File Claims hyperlink.

  • The Search for Creditor screen will display.

  • Enter Case Number

  • Enter the Name of creditor filing the claim.

Note: Only enter the first word of the creditor's name, i.e. American Express- enter American, John Smith - enter John, etc...

  • Click Next to search the creditor database for this claimant.

 

Caution:  Initially, always search with the default of blank blue bar space in the Type of Creditor box.  When a matrix is uploaded into the system the Creditor Type field defaults to Creditor.  If this search does not reveal the creditor name and address, use the back button, change Type of Creditor to 20 Largest or Notice of Appearance and search.

 

  • Click Next.

  • The Creditor Selection  screen will then display the creditor who matches the search criteria.

 

Note:  If no search criteria was entered on the Search for Creditor screen, all creditors belonging to the case will be found.  Click on the drop-down arrow to display all of the creditors.

 

  • Select the desired creditor.

  • Click Next.

 

A separate window will pop up indicating whether or not the creditor has filed any claims, in addition you will be asked to verify if this is the correct creditor.

 

  • The Proof of Claim Information screen displays the specific claim information for each claim.

 

Caution:  Do not enter the "$" or commas in the dollar amount fields.

      Values default to whole dollars.

      Decimals are accepted but not required.

 

  • Use the down arrow and select the proper role type in the Filed By: field..

 

  • Enter the amount claimed in the appropriate fields.

  • The Description and Remarks fields  are for court use only and will appear on the Claims Register.

  • The Total Amount Claimed field will total the values of Unsecured, Secured, Priority and Unknown.  An aggregate total of all claims is included at the end of the  Claims Register.

  • When you have completed this screen, click Next.

 

  • Click Browse, then navigate to the directory where the appropriate pdf claim form is located and select it with your mouse to attach the claim form.

 

Note: The PDF file of this claim form may include additional documents as exhibits.  These exhibits may be supporting documentation or collateral information.  Be sure to keep the entire Claim PDF document, with exhibits below the 25 page (or 3MB) limit.  If the document is larger than the 25 page or 3MB limit, it will need to be included as an attachment.  The attachment is available for viewing from the Claims Register Report and is located below the claim number.

 

  • If a claim and supporting documentation (contracts, invoices, or other supporting documents can be linked to this claim) is greater than 25 pages or 3MB  limit, it will need to be included as an attachment.

 

The Notice of Electronic Claims Filing is then produced and displayed.  This claim is now part of the official court record.

Objection to Claim

Click the Bankruptcy hyperlink on the CM/ECF Main Menu.

  • Click Claim Actions hyperlink.

  • Enter Case Number, click Next.

  • Select Objection to Claim,  click Next.

  • Select or add your party, click Next.

  • Associate the pdf file of the Objection to Claim, click Next.

  • Edit the docket text if necessary.

  • Click Next.

  • Review final docket text.

  • Click Next.

Objection to Transfer of Claim

Click the Bankruptcy hyperlink on the CM/ECF Main Menu.

  • Click Claim Actions hyperlink.

  • Enter Case Number, click Next.

  • Select Objection to Transfer of  Claim,  click Next.

  • Select or add your party, click Next.

  • Associate the pdf file of the Objection to Transfer of Claim, click Next.

  • Place a check mark in the box " Refer to Existing Event"

  • Click Next.

  • Select the appropriate  transfer of claim event (s) to which your event relates: click Next.

  • Edit the docket text if necessary.

  • Click Next.

  • Review final docket text.

  • Click Next.

Transfer of Claim

Click the Bankruptcy on the CM/ECF Main Menu.

  • Click Claims Actions hyperlink.

  • Enter Case Number

  • Click Next.

  • Select  Transfer of Claim, click Next.

  • Select the Party. If not listed, click Add/Create New Party

  • Click Next.

Note:  If  this is your first time docketing on a case the following message will display:

 

"The following attorney/party associations do not exist for this case.

Please check which associations should be created for this case."

Place a check mark in the box to establish the association.

 

  • Click Next.

  • Click Next.

  • Associate the pdf file of the Transfer of Claim.

  • Select Claim (s) from list.

  • Click Next.

  • Verify Claim Number:

  • Select  Status (from the claim status box)

  • Click Next.

  • Click the radio button for the Transfer type.

  • Search for transferee or Add New Creditor (party you are representing)

  • Search for transferor. (current owner of the claim, look for the Claim # next to the name)

  • Click Next.

  • Edit the docket pre- text  box if necessary.

  • Click Next. 

  • A message will appear. IMPORTANT: A fee is due immediately upon filing this Transfer of Claim. Failure to pay the fee will result in a suspension of the CM/ECF account of the filer until all outstanding fees are paid in full.

  • Click Next. The Fee will appear.

  • Review final docket text.

  • Click Next.

Withdrawal of Claim

Click the Bankruptcy hyperlink on the CM/ECF Main Menu.

  • Click Claim Actions hyperlink.

  • Enter Case Number, click Next.

  • Select Withdrawal of Claim, click Next.

  • Select or add your party, click Next.

  • Associate the pdf file of the Withdrawal of  Claim, click Next.

  • Is the claim to be withdrawn docketed on the claims register? Please enter y or n

IF no, click Next

  • Edit the docket text if necessary.

  • Click Next.

  • Review final docket text.

  • Click Next.

IF yes,  Select claim (s) from list, click Next.

Verify the Claim Number and in the  Claim No. Status box, select Withdrawn, click Next.

  • Edit the docket text if necessary.

  • Click Next.

  • Review final docket text.

  • Click Next.