Reappointment of Judge Michael G. Williamson
- United States Bankruptcy Judge Middle District of Florida
View
the announcement
Reappointment
of Judge C. Ray Mullins - Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
Northern District of Georgia
View
the announcement
Amendments to
Local Rules - May
31, 2013
The Bankruptcy Judges of the Middle District of Florida have
approved new and amended Local Rules, effective July 1, 2013.
View the new and amended
Local Rules
Revised Permissive
Use of Negative Notice List - May
23, 2013
The Court has revised the Permissive Use of Negative Notice List
(see below) to include Motion to Determine Secured Status/Value
Property and Motion to Determine Secured Status/Strip Lien in
Chapter 11 cases and Motion to Offset Funds Filed by Trustee in
Chapter 13 Cases. The revised list may be viewed here.
Proposed Amended
Local Rule 9019-2 (ADR); Mediation - May
12, 2013
The judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle
District of Florida are considering significant amendments to
Local Rule 9019-2 (ADR); Mediation. The proposed amended local
rule is posted below for public comment commencing May 14, 2013.
The public comment period ends on May 28, 2013. Upon final approval
by the judges, the amended local rule will be posted on June 1,
2013, with an effective date of July 1, 2013.
View
the proposed amended local rule
Two new training
modules available to assist attorneys and trustees service of
orders - May
10, 2013
Click
to view Generating a Mailing Matrix module
Click
to view Service of Orders Process module
Notice of Bankruptcy
Judges' Mentoring Program for New Bankruptcy
Lawyers - May
9, 2013
Click
here to read the announcement
Filing Fee increases
and changes effective May 1, 2013 - April
26, 2013
The filing fee for reopening a Chapter 9 case is increasing to
$1,167.00
The filing fee for reopening a Chapter 15 case is increasing to
$1,167.00
A new fee of $25.00 for each claim being transferred will be imposed.
CM/ECF v5.1 upgrade
- April
21, 2013
CM/ECF is fully operational on version 5.1 and users have full
access to the system.
Change of Limited
Filer Filing Events - April
15, 2013
Effective April 15, 2013 the Event List for Limited Filers is
changing. This list restricts the limited filers to only those
events which are in line with their filing privileges. The full
list of limited filer events will be located in CM/ECF under Bankruptcy
Events. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact
the Help Desk/Training Team.
Notice of change
in service procedures - April
4, 2013
Effective May 1, 2013 the Clerk’s office of the Middle
District of Florida Bankruptcy Court will no longer serve copies
of orders to interested parties in a case. With very few exceptions
it will be the responsibility of the Movant, the prevailing party
or other party as directed by the Court (“Responsible Party”)
to serve copies of signed orders to interested parties and file
a proof of service in compliance with Local Rules 7005-1, 7005-3,
9014-1 and 9072-1 and F.R.B.P. 2002, 5005, 7004 and 7005.
Click
here to view the entire notice
Presumptively
Reasonable Debtor's Attorney Fee and a la carte fees -
April
2, 2013
Presumptively Reasonable Debtor's Attorney Fee and a la carte
fees have been adjusted pursuant to Sec. 104 of the Bankruptcy
Code for all Chapter 13 cases filed in the Tampa and Ft. Myers
Divisions on or after April 1, 2013.
Click
here to view the fees
Judges' Quarterly
Mentoring Program - March
25, 2013
Any attorney who attended the Judges' Quarterly Mentoring Program
on the Means Test on 2/26/13 and has not yet received information
about CLE credit, please call (813) 301-5082.
Revised Negative
Notice List Effective March 25, 2013 - March
25, 2013
The Court has revised the Permissive Use of Negative Notice List
(see below) to include Interim Applications for Compensation (Chapter
11) and Motions to Confirm Priority of Modified Mortgage (Chapters
7 and 13).
Click here
to view the revised Negative Notice list
Press Release
- New Judge appointed in Orlando - March
5, 2013
Click
here to view the press release
Proposed amendments
to the Local Rules for public comment - March
1, 2013
The judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle
District of Florida are considering proposed amendments to the
Local Rules. The proposals are posted on the link below for public
comment commencing on March 1, 2013. The public comment period
ends on April 15, 2013.
Revised Chapter
13 Model Plan in Ft. Myers and Tampa - Effective March 15, 2013
- February
28, 2013
The judges of the Ft. Myers and Tampa Divisions have approved
revisions to the Chapter 13 Model Plan. The revised Model Plan
must be used by all Chapter 13 debtors in cases filed on or after
March 15, 2013.
The revisions to the Model Plan are highlighted in yellow. The
Model Plan now requires an affirmative representation that the
plan conforms to the Model Plan, and strikes non-conforming provisions
not set forth in Additional Provisions, paragraph 5. In addition,
the Model Plan now permits the debtor to elect when property of
the estate is vested in the debtor, either at confirmation or
upon the debtor's discharge or dismissal of the case. See 11 U.S.C.
§ 1327(b). Debtors and their counsel should give careful
consideration to this election, as it may result in significant
legal consequences.
Click
here to view the Revised Chapter 13 Model Plan
Evaluation Solutions, LLC and ES Appraisal Services, LLC
(Jacksonville) information - February
27, 2013
Evaluation Solutions, LLC and ES Appraisal Services, LLC filed
for bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7 on January 25, 2013, in the
Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division and is assigned
to The Honorable Jerry A. Funk under jointly administered case
number 3:13-bk-00446.
Information may be obtained through the website established by
the trustee (http://www.es.creditorinfo.com).
Attorney for the Debtor is Bradley R. Markey, of the law firm
Stutsman, Thames & Markey, PA. Their office is located at
50 North Laura Street, Suite 1600, Jacksonville, Florida 32202-3614,
and their telephone number is 904-358-4000.
The case manager responsible for this case is Cathy Perkins.
Her telephone number is 904-301-6522.
Proofs of Claim are not docketed or maintained by the Clerk’s
Office. BMC Group currently handles the processing of all claims
in this case. A separate claim must be filed against each Debtor
in which a creditor asserts a claim.
By regular US Mail:
Evaluation Solutions
c/o BMC Group, Claims Processing
P.O. Box 3020
Chanhassen, MN 55317-3020
By Messenger or overnight courier:
Evaluation Solutions, LLC
c/o BMC Group, Claims Processing
18675 Lake Drive East
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Electronic case filing is mandatory in the Jacksonville Division.
If you are an attorney who is already registered to file electronically
in another bankruptcy district and you wish to obtain a password
in order to electronically file in the Middle District of Florida,
you must complete an on-line Out of District ECF Registration
Form which can be found by clicking the CM/ECF Registration link
located on the home page of our court’s website.
Please refer to http://www.es.creditorinfo.com or the Court’s
website.
Approved Residential
Mortgage Modification Course - February
21, 2013
Click here for more information
Release of Chief
Justice Roberts' 2012 Year End Report on the state of the Federal
Judiciary - February
7, 2013
Click
here to view the Report
Notice of Bankruptcy
Judge's next Jr. Lawyer Mentoring Program - February
7, 2013
Click
here to read the announcement
District-wide Form for Admission to List of Residential Mortgage
Foreclosure Mediators - January
31, 2013
Click
here for the Admission Form
Click
here to view the Administrative Order
Click
here to view the Mortgage Modification Mediators for the District
Rededication Ceremony
for the George C. Young Federal Building - January
24, 2013
Rededication Ceremony for the George C. Young Federal Building
and United States Courthouse at 400 West Washington Street, Orlando,
Florida on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 10:30am EST. Kindly RSVP
to Ms. Kelly Haynes via email at: kelly.haynes@gsa.gov
Open House for family and friends on February 8, 2013 from 4:00pm
to 6:00pm EST - George C. Young Federal Building and United States
Courthouse, 400 West Washington Street, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando's Intake will be closed at 3:00pm EST on February 8,
2013.
Reappointment
of Dwight H. Williams, Jr., Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
in the Middle District of Alabama - January
18, 2013
Click
here to read the announcement
Proposed Rule Amendments Published for Public Comment -
January
14, 2013
The Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on the Appellate,
Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules have proposed
amendments to their respective rules and requested that the proposals
be circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment. The public
comment period ends on February 15, 2013.
Click
here to view the Proposed Rule Amendments
Attention: All Pro Se debtors and other unrepresented parties
- January
10, 2013
During the course of a bankruptcy case or proceeding, bankruptcy
court notices are mailed by the Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC)
on behalf of the court. The BNC, which is operated by a private
contractor, provides notice production and mailing services for
the
court, but THE BNC IS NOT THE COURT. PLEASE DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS
OR EMAIL REPLIES TO THE BNC. Documents related to a bankruptcy
case or proceeding should be sent directly to the court (click
here for court addresses).
Reminder of requirement to maintain email addresses in CM/ECF -
December
20, 2012
The Court’s CM/ECF system sends emails regarding case activity
to primary and any additional email addresses that registered attorney
users have entered in their CM/ECF user accounts. Often the Court
receives returned or “bounced-back” emails primarily
as a result of email addresses being entered incorrectly or email
accounts being full or closed.
Please be advised that the Court’s Local Rule 1001-2(h) states
“Registration as an Electronic User constitutes: (1) waiver
of the right to receive notice by first-class mail and consent to
receive notice electronically; and (2) waiver of the right to service
by personal service or first-class mail and consent to electronic
service, except with regard to summons and complaint under Fed.
R. Bankr. P. 7004…”
Further, the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
implemented the Reduced Paper Module (RPM) which means that in most
cases where an electronic filer is a party, only electronic notice
will be sent. The court no longer sends redundant paper notices
and orders with a few exceptions.
It is your responsibility to properly maintain your CM/ECF user
account with up-to-date email addresses in order to receive all
electronic notices timely. Additionally it is your responsibility
to monitor case activity.
To update email addresses, log into CM/ECF, select Utilities and
Maintain Your ECF Account and then select “email”. You
may update and add email addresses but may not delete your primary
email address. For additional information on how
to update your email address click here. Changes to your name,
firm, or address information cannot be made through Maintain Your
ECF Account under Utilities. You must contact the Court’s
Help Desk for instruction and assistance to make these changes
Holiday closures
for the United States Bankruptcy Court - December
18, 2012
In addition to the regularly scheduled closures on the Federal
Holidays of December 25, 2012 and January 1, 2013, all Divisions
of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida,
will be closed on December 24, 2012, and December 31, 2012, pursuant
to Administrative Order FLMB-2012-1.
Click
here to view the Administrative Order
Official Forms
Changes - November
27, 2012
Official Forms B7, B9, B10 and B21 will be changed effective
December 1, 2012. Copies of the new forms are available on the
U.S. Courts Web site by clicking HERE.
The following is a summary of the form changes:
Form B7 Statement of Financial Affairs is amended to make the
definition of “insider” consistent with the statutory
definition found in the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Forms B9A through B9I Notices of Bankruptcy Case Meeting of Creditors
and Deadlines are amended to remind creditors not to attach the
form Notice to any proof of claim or other filing in the case
for privacy reasons.
Form B10 Proof of Claim is amended to remind filers of attachment
requirements under Rule 3001(c). A previous direction requiring
a power of attorney for authorized agents has been removed.
Form B21 Statement of Social Security Number of Taxpayer-Identification
Number is amended to remind debtors that this form should be submitted
to the court. This form and debtors’ social security numbers
or taxpayer-identification numbers are non-public information.
Orlando Courthouse
announcements and information - November
18, 2012
Hearings scheduled on or after November 19, 2012, will be heard
at the George C. Young Federal Courthouse, 6th Floor, 400 W. Washington
Street, Orlando, FL.
Section 341 Meeting of Creditors scheduled on or before November
30, 2012, will be held at 135 West Central Blvd., 6th Floor, Orlando,
FL.
Please continue to monitor court website for further updates.
Click here to view updated
announcements and information
Filing Fee Increases
effective November 21, 2012 - November
5, 2012
Please be advised that there are several fee increases that take
effect on November 21, 2012. The following is a list of the fee
increases.
Fee for filing a Chapter 9 case increases to *$1,213.00
Fee for filing a Chapter 11 case increases to *$1,213.00
Fee for filing a Chapter 15 case increases to *$1,213.00
Fee for filing a motion to reopen a Chapter 11 case increases
to $1,167.00
Fee for filing a motion by the debtor to divide (sever) a joint
Chapter 11 case increases to *$1,213.00.
Fee for converting a Chapter 7 case to a Chapter 11 increases
to $922.00
Fee for converting a Chapter 13 case to a Chapter 11 increases
to $932.00
*(Includes the statutory fee of $1,167 and an Administrative
Fee of $46)
Bankruptcy Judges'
Mentoring Program for new Bankruptcy Lawyers November 28, 2012
- October
26, 2012
The next session of the Bankruptcy Judges’ mentoring program
for lawyers new to the practice of bankruptcy law is scheduled
for Wednesday, November 28, 2012, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the
bankruptcy court’s training room on the 5th Floor, Sam M.
Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, Tampa.
Click
here for more information
Fourth
FLMB Quarterly Newsletter - October
18, 2012
Click on the link below to access the Court's fourth quarter
newsletter.
Click
here to access the Newsletter
Celebrate Pro
Bono 2012 - October
18, 2012
Celebrate Pro Bono 2012! is the theme of this year's National
Celebration of Pro Bono Week. During this week, the American Bar
Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service
is encouraging even greater pro bono participation by lawyers
throughout the nation. For a list of pro bono opportunities in
your area, please click
HERE. To sign up to volunteer to represent a party in an adversary
proceeding or contested matter through the Court's Legal Assistance
Program for Low-Income Parties, please go to the Legal
Assistance page of the Court's website.
Reminder of requirement to maintain email
addresses in CM/ECF - October
2, 2012
The Court’s CM/ECF system sends emails regarding case activity
to primary and any additional email addresses that registered
attorney users have entered in their CM/ECF user accounts. Often
the Court receives returned or “bounced-back” emails
primarily as a result of email addresses being entered incorrectly
or email accounts being full or closed.
Please be advised that the Court’s Local Rule 1001-2(h)
states “Registration as an Electronic User constitutes:
(1) waiver of the right to receive notice by first-class mail
and consent to receive notice electronically; and (2) waiver of
the right to service by personal service or first-class mail and
consent to electronic service, except with regard to summons and
complaint under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004…”
Further, the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
implemented the Reduced Paper Module (RPM) which means that in
most cases where an electronic filer is a party, only electronic
notice will be sent. The court no longer sends redundant paper
notices and orders with a few exceptions.
It is your responsibility to properly maintain your CM/ECF user
account with up-to-date email addresses in order to receive all
electronic notices timely. Additionally it is your responsibility
to monitor case activity.
To update email addresses, log into CM/ECF, select Utilities
and Maintain Your ECF Account and then select “email”.
You may update and add email addresses but may not delete your
primary email address. For additional information on how
to update your email address click here. Changes to your name,
firm, or address information cannot be made through Maintain Your
ECF Account under Utilities. You must contact the Court’s
Help Desk for instruction and assistance to make these changes
Corrective Action entry system (CAT/CAR)-Effective 10/1/2012
- October
1, 2012
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of
Florida has significantly revised its Corrective Action entry
system (CAT/ CAR) which becomes effective Monday, October 1, 2012.
Those who file documents electronically with the Bankruptcy Court
or review the CM/ECF Electronic Notification emails are encouraged
to review the new Corrective Action system at the below link:
Corrective
Action Review
Chapter 13 Plans - Change in Jacksonville Clerk's Office
Procedure - September
18, 2012
Effective Monday, October 1, 2012, the Clerk's Office will no
longer serve copies of plans or amended plans on all interested
parties in bankruptcy cases, with the exception of the original
plan if it is filed at the same time as the voluntary petition.
If the original plan is not filed at the same time as the petition,
the debtor's attorney will be responsible for serving the plan
on all interested parties in the case and file a certificate of
service with the Court.
This cost saving measure is being implemented as the Court moves
toward a drastically reduced budget for fiscal year 2013.
Centralized Processing
of Returned BNC Mail - September
14, 2012
This month, the Judiciary’s Bankruptcy Noticing Center
(BNC) contractor will begin accepting, processing and securely
disposing of notices that would otherwise be returned to the bankruptcy
courts by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The service
will eliminate nearly all manual processing of returned mail currently
performed by court personnel and will provide timely notification
to debtors’ attorneys of returned notices.
Click
here to read the entire announcement
Reappointment
of Judge William R. Sawyer (Middle District of Alabama Bankruptcy
Court) - August
24, 2012
Click
here to read the announcement
Bankruptcy Judges
Mentoring Program for new Bankruptcy Lawyers - August
24, 2012
The next session of the Bankruptcy Judges’ mentoring program
for lawyers new to the practice of bankruptcy law is scheduled
for Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in
the bankruptcy court’s training room on the 5th Floor, Sam
M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse.
Click
here to read the entire announcement
Proposed
Amendments Published for Public Comment - August
20, 2012
The Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy,
Criminal, and Evidence Rules have proposed amendments to their
respective rules and forms, and requested that the proposals be
circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment. The proposed
amendments, Rules Committee reports explaining the proposed changes,
and other information are posted on the
Judiciary’s website at http://www.uscourts.gov/RulesAndPolicies/rules/proposed-amendments.aspx.
The public comment period ends February 15, 2013.
Information regarding
the Republican National Convention in Tampa - August
2, 2012
Access to the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse will be very limited
during the Republican National Convention (“RNC”)
that will be held in Tampa, Florida, during the week of August
27, 2012. No Court proceedings will be held in the Tampa Courthouse
that week. Attorneys, as always, must rely on CM/ECF to file pleadings.
The United States District Court has agreed to allow delivery
of paperwork via their filing deposit box which will be located
on the first floor of the Courthouse. The Court encourages the
public to file papers through CM/ECF or by mail. For those unable
to file through CM/ECF or the mail, an Administrative Order will
be entered allowing filings by fax provided the original is received
by 12 noon on Tuesday, September 4.
Local Rules Lawyers’
Advisory Committee Solicits Proposals for New or Revised Local
Rules - July
31, 2012
The Local Rules Lawyers’ Advisory Committee invites interested
parties, including members of the Bar and Bankruptcy Court employees,
to submit their suggestions, comments, and proposals for proposed
new Local Rules, or revisions to our current Local Rules.
Click here to read the
entire announcement
Third
FLMB Quarterly Newsletter - July
25, 2012
Click on the link below to access the Court's third quarterly
newsletter.
Click
here to access the Newsletter
Notice to Customers
Making Payment by Check - July
19, 2012
When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us either
to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic
fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a
check transaction.
Privacy Act – A Privacy Act Statement required by 5 U.S.C.
§ 552a(e)(3) stating our authority for soliciting and collecting
the information from your check, and explaining the purposes and
routine uses which will be made of your check information, is
available from our internet site at (http://www.fms.treas.gov/otcnet/index.html),
or call toll free at (1-866-945-7920) to obtain a copy by mail.
Furnishing the check information is voluntary, but a decision
not to do so may require you to make payment by some other method.
CM/ECF Online
Training Course - Update - July
12, 2012
The Court's CM/ECF Online Training Course has been updated to
include seven additional recommended learning modules: Filing
a Notice of Change of Address for the Debtor, Filing a Transfer
of Proof of Claim. Filing a Withdrawal of a Proof of Claim and
Filing a Withdrawal of a Document or Pleading. In addition, two
learning modules have been updated: Filing a Notice of Change
of Address for a Creditor and Filing a Motion to Avoid Lien. Refer
to the Court's News and Announcements Section regularly as additional
learning modules will be added over the next few months.
Reappointment
of Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol in the Southern District of
Florida - June
22, 2012
Click
here to read the public notice
New Password Security
Standards for CM/ECF - June
20, 2012
The Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court is taking measures
to improve password security in CM/ECF. Under the new standards,
all CM/ECF passwords must be a minimum of 8 characters, and must
include both upper- and lower-case alphabetic characters and at
least one digit or special character [e.g., 0-9, @, #, $, %, &,
*, +, :].
Additionally, after five invalid login attempts on a particular
account, the account is locked out for five minutes. After the
timeout period, if an invalid password is again given for the
account, a new timeout period (one minute longer than the previous)
is started. Every additional invalid password entered after a
timeout will increase the duration of the next timeout.
Upon a filer’s first login attempt in CM/ECF after the
new standards are activated, the following message will display:

Clicking the link in the message will allow the filer to change
his or her password to meet the new standards.
The new standards will go into effect at close of business on
June 22, 2012.
If you are not prompted upon CM/ECF login or notified via email
to update password, your password is already in compliance with
these guidelines.
Order
Reassigning Certain Pending Tampa Division Cases
- June
14, 2012
NCBJ Announces
Blackshear Fellowship Opportunities for 2012 Conference -
June
13, 2012
The National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges is now accepting
applications for its Honorable Cornelius Blackshear Presidential
Fellowships for minority lawyers who practice bankruptcy law.
Go here for information about Judge Blackshear, the Fellowship
criteria, the application form, and other information about the
program: www.ncbj.org/Blackshear_Fellowship.aspx.
Named after esteemed Bankruptcy Judge Blackshear (now retired)
of the Southern District of New York, the fellowship program provides
both free conference registration ($900 value) and a stipend for
reasonable travel/hotel expenses for five up-and-coming minority
bankruptcy practitioners (with less than 10 years' experience)
who wish to attend the annual conference of the National Conference
of Bankruptcy Judges and who otherwise meet the selection criteria.
This year's conference will be held October 24-27 in San Diego
at the Marriott Marquis. To view this year's conference agenda,
go to www.ncbj.org/documents/2012_BROCHURE.pdf.
The deadline for submitting an application is JULY 13th. The
application must be faxed to NCBJ NBA Liaison Committee Chair
Honorable Jeffery P. Hopkins (fax: 513-357-5420).
Opportunity to
Decline Notices of Electronic Filing - June
11, 2012
Attorneys in adversary proceedings have traditionally received
Notices of Electronic Filings for the adversary proceedings in
which they are directly involved and for their related bankruptcy
cases. On June 11, 2012, the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy
Court will offer a new option that allows attorneys in adversary
proceedings to opt out of certain e-mail notifications in the
related bankruptcy case.
Click
here to read the entire announcement
Negative Notice
List Revised May 25, 2012 - May
25, 2012
In light of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal's recent decision
in In re McNeal, 2012 WL 116498, the Court's Permissive Use of
Negative Notice List has been amended to include “Motion
to Determine Secured Status/Strip Lien on Real Property (30-day
notice required)” in Chapter 7 cases.
A copy of the Court's Negative Notice List may be found on the
Court's website.
Availability of
a Bankruptcy Judge Position In The Middle District of Florida
at Orlando - May
8, 2012
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit seeks
applications from all highly qualified candidates for a fourteen-year
appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District
of Florida at Orlando. The basic jurisdiction of a bankruptcy
judge is specified in Title 28, United States Code and explained
in Title 11, United States Code, as well as in 98 Stat. 344, Pub.
L. 98-353, Title I, § 120.
The Honorable
Alexander L. Paskay - April
30, 2012
The Honorable Alexander L. Paskay passed away (peacefully) April
27, 2012, with Mrs. Paskay (his wife of 62 years) and their sons,
Steve and Rick at his side. Judge Paskay will certainly be missed
by his Colleagues in this District and around the nation, together
with his Court family in the Tampa and Ft. Myers Divisions.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 2:00
p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, (Corner of Twiggs Street
and Florida Avenue), 509 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
A Gathering of loved ones and friends met following the service
at Stetson University College of Law, Tampa Law Center, 1700 North
Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida.
Those wishing to honor his memory may make a contribution to
one of the following:
Judge Alexander L. Paskay Endowed Scholarship Fund
Stetson University College of Law
1401 61st Street, South
Gulfport, FL 33707
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
P. O. Box 23827
Tampa, FL 33633-3827
LifePath Hospice Administrative Office
3010 W. Azelle Street
Tampa, FL 33609
Retirement
of The Honorable Arthur B. Briskman - April
30, 2012
On July 24, 2012, Judge Arthur B. Briskman will retire. After
serving several years on the Senate Judiciary Committee and in
private practice in Mobile, Alabama, Arthur Briskman was appointed
as a Bankruptcy Judge on November 22, 1985. He first sat as a
judge in Alabama, and, starting in 1993, in Orlando. He has served
this country as a true public servant in every sense of the word
every day for decades.
Judge Briskman has agreed to remain on recall status. Orlando
and the Middle District have benefitted greatly from his labors
and we all congratulate him on this transition.
CM/ECF
Online Training Course - Update - April
20, 2012
The Court's CM/ECF Online Training Course has been updated to
include two additional recommended learning modules: CM/ECF Reports
and Filing a Reaffirmation. In addition, several learning modules
have been repaired as a result of feedback provide by users of
the Program: Filing an Objection to Proof of Claim, Filing a Plan,
Filing an Amended Plan and Filing a Proof of Claim. Refer to the
Court's News and Announcements Section regularly as additional
learning modules will be added over the next few months.
Second
FLMB Quarterly Newsletter - April
18, 2012
Click on the link below to access the Court's second quarterly
newsletter.
» Click
here to access the Newsletter
Revised
Negative Notice List Effective April 16, 2012 - April
2, 2012
The Court has revised the Permissive Use of Negative Notice List
(see below) to more clearly describe those motions and papers
which may be filed using negative notice as permitted by Local
Rule 2002-4. In order to assist practitioners, the Negative Notice
List is now categorized by bankruptcy chapter (7, 11, 12 and 13).
Motions and papers that are not described on the Negative Notice
List will be set for hearing or, if appropriate, granted or denied
without a hearing.
» Click
here to the revised Negative Notice List
CM/ECF Online
Training Course - Update - April
2, 2012
The Court's Debtor Attorney CM/ECF Online Training Course has
been updated to include five additional recommended learning modules:
Filing a Plan; Filing an Amended Plan; Filing a Motion to Avoid
Lien; Filing an Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments
and Filing an Application for Waiver of Filing Fee. Refer to the
Court's News and Announcements Section regularly as additional
learning modules will be added over the next few months.
April is National
Financial Literacy Month - March
30, 2012
April has been designated by Congress as National Financial Literacy
Month. The United States Bankruptcy Judges of the Middle District
of Florida are participating in this annual promotion of financial
well-being and invite you to browse the following resources for
acquiring good financial habits.
» Click
here to browse the resources for acquiring good financial habits
CM/ECF Online
Training Course - March
16, 2012
A significant change to CM/ECF training will take place on March
19, 2012, when the Clerk's Office will introduce its new CM/ECF
online training course. This course is designed to train attorneys,
their staff, and other outside filers who want to file in a limited
capacity. The online course replaces the training classes, which
were provided at the District’s divisional offices since
the Court went live on CM/ECF in February 2002.
The online course is made up of a series of electronic learning
modules (ELMs) broken down into training for three categories
of users as follows.
Creditor Attorney – This set of ELMs
should be completed by attorneys (and their staff) who primarily
represent creditors, trustees and other professionals, and who
are seeking full filing access to the Court’s CM/ECF filing
system.
Debtor Attorney – These ELMs should be
completed by attorneys (and their staff) who primarily represent
debtors and who are seeking full filing access to the Court’s
CM/ECF filing system.
Limited Filer – These ELMS should be
completed by creditors and attorneys seeking to participate in
the CM/ECF filing system for the limited purpose of filing Requests
for Notice/Notices of Appearance, Reaffirmation Agreements, Proofs
of Claim, Transfers of Claim, and other Claim related documents.
Access to the online course will be through the court’s
website by clicking on the online course registration tab under
the CM/ECF section located in the upper right hand corner on the
homepage. For those interested, the course can be viewed beginning
Monday, March 19, by clicking through the online course registration
tab.
Relocation of
the Proposed Orders submission link effective Monday, March 12,
2012 - March
7, 2012
The location of the Proposed Orders submission link on the Court's
website has changed. The link is now located on the homepage under
the newly renamed heading of Electronic Filing/Submission and
has been re-titled eProposed Orders. Previously, the Proposed
Orders link could be found on the Court's homepage under Areas
of Interest.
Amendments to
the Local Rules effective March 15, 2012 -
March
1 , 2012
The Bankruptcy Judges of the Middle District of Florida have
approved the following new and amended Local Rules, effective
March 15, 2012.
» Click
here to view the new and amended Local Rules
New Calendaring
Program - Effective Thursday, March 1st for Jacksonville Division
- February
25, 2012
The Jacksonville Division will begin its transition to a new
calendaring system called CHAP on Thursday, March 1, 2012. The
Orlando, Tampa and Ft. Myers Divisions have already made the transition.
While the new system offers some efficiencies and improvements
in the calendaring arena, it is not anticipated that external
users will notice a difference when viewing the Judge's calendars
from our website.
First FLMB Quarterly
Newsletter - February
24, 2012
Click on the link below to access the Court's first quarterly
newsletter.
» Click
here to access the Newsletter
Permissive Use
of Negative Notice - February
24, 2012
Effective March 1, 2012, the Court will permit service of certain
matters provided for on the Permissive Use of Negative Notice
list [see below]. Negative notice is not appropriate for emergency
matters. Additionally, you are reminded of the Court's discretion
to set any matter for hearing even if no objection is filed.
» Click
here to view the Permissive Use of Negative Notice Chart
Designated Address
Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rules 2002(j) and 5003(e) -
February
15, 2012
Documents should be mailed to the following address for the Atlanta
Regional Office of the Commission:
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Office of Reorganization
950 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E.
Suite 900
Atlanta, GA 30326-1382
At the SEC, Please contact:
Susan R. Sherrill-Beard
Senior Trial Counsel/Bankruptcy
Tel…………………..(404) 842-7626
Fax………………….(404) 842-7633
E-mail…....................sherrill-beards@sec.gov
Alternatively, documents may be transmitted electronically via
facsimile transmittal to (404) 842-7633 or by e-mail to atlreorg@sec.gov.
Additionally, if another office of the Commission files a notice
of appearance, a proof of claim, or request for notice in a specific
case, documents in the specific case also should be sent to the
requesting Commission office . Once the Commission staff becomes
aware of cases that involve significant public investor interest,
the staff will seek to obtain all additional information needed
through ECF and PACER.
The SEC makes a continuing request in all Chapter 9 &
11 Bankruptcy Cases commenced by municipalities or by or against
corporations or limited partnerships:
Petition and Exhibit “A” to Official Form No. 1
or
Statement of Affairs, Schedules, Lists and Notices and
Plan and Disclosure Statement with any Notices of Hearings
Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 3017(A).
Written requests will be made for additional filings and documents
in specific cases by letter or a Notice of Appearance.
Access to file
an electronic proof of claim through the Court's website -
February
10, 2012
Access to file an electronic proof of claim through the Court's
website is now located on the homepage under Electronic
Filing and has been retitled eProof
of Claim. Previously access to file a claim through
the Court's website could be found under Proof of Claim on the
homepage under Areas of Interest.
Chapter 11 ballots
to be filed electronically through the Court website or through
CM/ECF - January
30, 2012
In Chapter 11 cases where the Plan of Reorganization is filed
on or after February 6, 2012, Chapter 11 ballots may be filed
electronically through the Court website or through CM/ECF. Filing
through the Court website will allow non-CM/ECF users to utilize
electronic filing while making ballots immediately viewable. A
link for electronic filing of Chapter 11 ballots by non-CM/ECF
users may be found at: https://pacer.flmb.uscourts.gov/cmecf/ballots/submission.asp.
Please note this link will not be live until February 6, 2012.
CM/ECF users may electronically file ballots through CM/ECF. Additionally,
paper ballots will still be accepted by the Clerk’s office.
Formerly, the Clerk’s office retained ballots as they were
received until a specified deadline established by the Court.
They were not viewable until after they were scanned as a single
image and docketed prior to the confirmation hearing. The new
system permits ballots to be viewable in the ballots registry
as they are filed.
Please note that the electronic filing system will create a preliminary
ballot tabulation that may include late filed or otherwise invalid
ballots. The preliminary electronic tabulation is not intended
to be a pre-determination of the proper inclusion or exclusion
of any ballot in a final tabulation. The responsibility for independently
reviewing and tabulating acceptance and rejections for the plan
remains with the attorney for the plan proponent. A judge may
exercise discretion as to whether late or improperly filed ballots
may be included in the final ballot tabulation.
Questions concerning use of the program should be directed to
the help desk at ecfhelp.tpa@flmb.uscourts.gov,
ecfhelp.orl@flmb.uscourts.gov,
ecfhelp.jax@flmb.uscourts.gov, or your case manager.
Reappointment
of Bankruptcy Administrator Travis M. Bedsole, Jr. - Southern
District of Alabama - January
24, 2012
»
Click
here to read the announcement
Effective January
18, two new CM/ECF docket events will be available under the Notices
category - January
17, 2012
Bankruptcy Notices – Notice of Mortgage Payment
Change (B10 Supplement 1 – No Proof of Claim);
and
Bankruptcy – Notices – Notice of Postpetition
Mortgage Fees, Expenses and Charges (B10 Supplement 2 –
No Proof of Claim).
Normally, if a related proof of claim was filed, Supplements 1
and 2 should be filed under Claim-Related matters. However, there
may be occasions when a Notice of Mortgage Payment Change (B10
Supplement 1) or Notice of Postpetition Mortgage Fees, Expenses
and Charges (B10 Supplement 2) are filed without a related proof
of claim. Should there be no related proof of claim, they should
be filed under the Notices category, using the events listed above.
Should you have any questions, please contact your case manager.
Designated Addresses
for Service of Requests Made Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 505(b)(1)(A)
- January
17, 2012
Section 505(b)(1)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code provides that the
Clerk of the Court shall maintain a list of addresses provided
by governmental units that are responsible for the collection
of taxes. The addresses provided are for service of requests made
under this subsection. Please note the requirements for filing
such requests provided by the governmental units below.
Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Small
Business/Self-Employed Division:
Trustees and debtors-in-possession should submit requests for
refunds or requests for prompt determination of any unpaid federal
tax liability of the estate made pursuant to Section 505 to the
Centralized Insolvency Operation (CIO) of the Internal Revenue
Service.
The designated address to be used for submitting these requests
is:
Internal Revenue Service
PO Box 7346
Philadelphia, PA 19101-7346
The toll-free telephone number of the CIO is 800-973-0424. The
number for facsimile transmission is 267-941-1015.
Trustees and debtors-in-possession should consult Rev. Proc. 2010-27,
2010-31 IRB 183 and Rev. Proc. 2006-24, 2006-1 C.B. 943 for information
on additional requirements in making these requests.
State of California, Franchise Tax Board:
Service of adversary proceedings:
Franchise Tax Board
Chief Counsel
c/o General Counsel Section
PO Box 1720, MS: A-260
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1720
Bankruptcy Code Section 505 requests and all other service and
notices:
Franchise Tax Board
Bankruptcy Section, MS: A-340
PO Box 2952
Sacramento, CA 95812-2952
»
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