You may represent yourself in your bankruptcy case. When you do not have an attorney, you are proceeding "pro se." You may be referred to as a "pro se filer/litigant" or a "self-represented filer/litigant." "Pro se" is a Latin term meaning "on one's own behalf." The right to proceed pro se in a civil case in federal court is provided by federal statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1654. Thus, any individual can proceed pro se. However, corporations and partnerships, may not proceed pro se and must be represented by an attorney. See, D. Conn. Bankr. L. R. 1002-1.
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.
- The U.S. Bankruptcy Code, located at 11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532 ("Bankruptcy Code"),
- The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
- The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure,
- The Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut,
- The Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.
Petition Filing Fee:
Every Petition commencing a bankruptcy case filed by a Pro Se Filer/Litigant shall be accompanied by the required Filing Fee unless an Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments or an Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived is simultaneously filed with the Petition. The failure to pay the required Filing Fee with the Petition, or to file with the Petition an Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments or an Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived, shall result in the dismissal of the case, unless the Court orders otherwise.
You should review the Instructions for Paying the Bankruptcy Case (Petition) Filing Fee for Self-Represented Debtors.
Applications to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments / Applications to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived:
Applications to pay the filing fee in installments shall be made by completing and filing Official Form 103A pursuant to FRBP 1006(b). Such fee shall be paid in full within four (4) months of the filing, unless the Court orders otherwise. Applications to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived shall be made by completing and filing Official Form 103B pursuant to FRBP 1006(c).
Other fees:
Any filing fee associated with motions, applications, complaints, or any pleading that requires a filing fee as prescribed by the Judicial Conference, must be paid at the time the motion, application, complaint, or other pleading is filed. The failure to pay the required filing fee associated with motions, applications, complaints, or other pleadings will result in no action being taken by the Court on the motion, application, complaint, or other pleading.
If you have filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, you must:
- attend the scheduled Meeting of Creditors as required by § 341 of the Bankruptcy Code;
- comply with §§ 521 through 528 of the Bankruptcy Code; and
- comply with § 1107 if the case is commenced under Chapter 11, with § 1203 if the case is commenced under Chapter 12, or comply with § 1303 if the case is commenced under Chapter 13.
Warning:
The pro se information on this website is specifically for individuals who are representing themselves in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut without the assistance of an attorney. It is intended as an informative resource for understanding the basic procedures of this Court. The information is not a substitute for legal advice from an experienced attorney. Bankruptcy law can be complicated, and debtors should, if possible, obtain information/advice from an attorney or a legal aid service experienced in bankruptcy law.
The statements on this webpage do not constitute legal advice and may not be cited as legal authority.
The information on this webpage does not replace the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, or the individual practices of the judges of this Court.
All parties filing without an attorney/acting as a Pro Se Filer/Litigant are responsible for complying with all applicable rules of procedure. If there is any conflict between the information on this webpage and the applicable rules, the rules govern, including this Court's Contested Matter Procedure in D. Conn. Bankr. L.R. 9014-1.
This webpage contains links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience. By linking to the websites of other organizations, the Court is neither endorsing those organizations nor making any representation about the quality of the service provided by those organizations. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut cannot guarantee the accuracy, relevance, reliability, or completeness of the information you may find on other websites.