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Public Notice Regarding General Order 40-2020 – Important Changes to Filing Options for Pro Se Debtors

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Please review General Order 40-2020 entered by the Court on July 28, 2020 with an effective date of August 5, 2020.  This order supersedes General Order 34-2020 which established electronic filing procedures for parties not represented by an attorney.  The electronic filing options will be known as  the “Emergency Filing System” and the new general order contains changes, including new limitations.  Beginning August 5, 2020, the Emergency Filing System:

  • may only be used by Pro Se Debtors, but NOT for appeals, adversary proceedings or involuntary petitions;
  • may not be used by creditors;
  • may not be used by debtors represented by counsel;
  • only requires an original signed Petition, Declaration about Schedules, Pro Se Affidavit and Statement about Social Security Number to be mailed or hand-delivered to the Court after electronic submission. Originals need not be sent to the court of any other pleading submitted by a Pro Se Debtor;  and
  • permits the Court to dismiss a case or deny the requested relief if the required original documents or fees are not received by the Court within 14 days of electronic submission without further notice or hearing.

There will no longer be a fax option for submitting petitions or pleadings to the Court.  The fax number previously available (470) 372-4591 will be disabled.

Pay.Gov will be a new payment option for fees on or about September 1, 2020.  Please see the Court’s website for more information when that option is “live.”

M. Regina Thomas
Clerk of Court
7.28.2020