When you do not have an attorney, you are proceeding "pro se." If you represent yourself in this court, you are called 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. There are, however, certain limitations to self-representation, such as:
- Corporations and partnerships must be represented by an attorney. See also D.Conn.Bankr.L.R. 1002-1.
The pro se information on this website is specifically for individuals who are representing themselves in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut without the assistance of an attorney. It is intended as an informative and practical resource for understanding the basic procedures of this Court. The information is not a substitute for legal advice from an experienced attorney. 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 United States 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 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States 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.
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. 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).
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.
In addition, any Pro Se Filer/Litigant who has filed a voluntary petition under chapter 7,11,12, or 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code must: (i) attend the scheduled Meeting of Creditors as required by Section 341 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (ii) comply with Sections 521 through 528 of the United States Bankrupcty Code; and (iii) comply with Section 1107 of the United States Bankruptcy Code if the case is commenced under Chapter 11, comply with Section 1203 of the United States Bankruptcy Code if the case is commenced under Chapter 12, or comply with Section 1303 of the United States Bankruptcy Code if the case is commenced under Chapter 13.
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.