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Chapter 7 Electronic Self-Representation

Electronic Self-Representation - Submitting a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition

Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) Bankruptcy Petition Preparation System
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13

THIS ONLINE TOOL IS FOR DEBTORS ONLY – READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL SUBMISSION OF YOUR PETITION PACKAGE TO THE CLERK’S OFFICE. 

Step 1 - Before You Begin

Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences and hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.    The Bankruptcy Court is not permitted to provide legal advice.  Individuals filing for bankruptcy without an attorney are still responsible for knowing and following all the legal requirements. Low or no cost legal resources are available in all divisions of the bankruptcy court.  For additional information on hiring an attorney and free legal resources, click here.

eSR is a free online tool that guides you step-by-step through the petition package preparation process and allows you up to 45 days to complete.  Your personal information is only accessible to you using a unique login and password assigned to you. 

eSR is not available to attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers. eSR is not designed for business or corporate bankruptcy filings.  eSR is only available to debtors who are not represented by an attorney and who live in the Eastern District of Texas.  eSR is a helpful tool to submit the petition, schedules, and statements required to initiate a bankruptcy case.  This is referred to as the “petition package” you will submit to the court for filing.  All subsequent filings and payments of fees must be submitted as directed below. 

Step 2 – Understanding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Preparing Your Information

Chapter 7 is for individuals who have financial difficulty preventing them from paying their debts and who are willing to allow their non-exempt property to be used to pay their creditors. The primary purpose of filing under chapter 7 is to have your debts discharged. The bankruptcy discharge relieves you after bankruptcy from having to pay many of your pre-bankruptcy debts. Exceptions exist for particular debts, and liens on property may still be enforced after discharge. For example, a creditor may have the right to foreclose a home mortgage or repossess an automobile.  For more information, see Notice Required by 11 U.S.C. § 342(b) for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Form 2010).

Prepare the following information prior to starting your petition package:

  1. Obtain credit counseling from a court-approved credit counseling agency.  The law requires credit counseling before filing bankruptcy.  See Credit Counseling & Debtor Education Information for approved credit counseling providers.
  2. Collect all your financial documents before you begin.
  3. Create a user profile, unique login, and password in eSR.

Step 3 – Logging into eSR and Completing Your Petition Package

  1. Log in to eSR with your username and password.  Answer questions about your property, income and debts and submit your documents for filing by the clerk’s office.  eSR will compile the information you enter on the applicable forms in a petition package.  The petition package will include:
  • Voluntary Petition
  • Schedules A-J
  • Statement of Current Monthly Income
  • Statement of Financial Affairs
  • Statement of Intention for Individuals Filing Under Chapter 7

Important: NOT included with your eSR petition package are the following required documents.  These documents must be submitted to the clerk’s office in the manner and time prescribed below.

  • Statement About Your Social Security Numbers. This form will be emailed to you upon submission of your eSR petition package.  Upload a signed copy in PDF using the court’s electronic drop box within 2 business days.
  • Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing.  This form will be emailed to you upon submission of your eSR petition package. Upload a signed copy in PDF using the court’s electronic drop box within 2 business days.
  • Copy of Government Photo ID. Upload a copy in PDF using the court’s electronic drop box within 2 business days.
  • Certificate of Credit Counseling must be filed in person or by mail within 14 days.
  • Copies of all payment advices or other evidence of payment received by the debtor from any employer within 60 days before the filing of the petition. Must be filed in person or by mail within 14 days. Fed.R.Bankr.P. 1007(b), (c).
  • Certification About a Financial Management Course. Must be filed within 60 days of the first date set for the meeting of creditors unless exempt under § 727(a)(11). Fed.R.Bankr.P. 1007(b)(7), (c). An electronic copy of the certificate of completion can be uploaded using the File Personal Financial Management Course Certificate link available at www.txeb.uscourts.gov
  1. Once all information is entered you will submit the package to the clerk’s office for review.  You can view or print your bankruptcy petition as it was submitted by logging in to the Electronic Bankruptcy Petition site and select "Review Petition Package." You will also find links for the applications that are mentioned below.

Important: A bankruptcy petition is NOT considered “filed” (and does not receive a case number) until you receive a Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing from the court with a case number.  An automatic stay (injunction) is NOT in effect until a bankruptcy case number is issued by the bankruptcy court.  Continue to Step 4 to complete the filing of your petition package. 

Step 4 – Check Your Email for Further Instructions

Check your email account for a confirmation email from the court.  The confirmation email provides instructions to complete the petition package filing process.  If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact one of our clerk’s office locations for assistance.

Within two (2) days, upload copies of the following documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) to the court’s electronic drop box to receive your case number.  Click Electronic Document Submission to upload the following required copies to the court’s electronic drop box.

  • The signed copy of the signature page of your petition.
  • A photocopy of your government-issued photo identification (such as your driver's license or passport)
  • The signed pages included in the "declaration" file attached to the email.
  • The signed pages included in the "SSN statement" file attached to the email.

Important: If the following copies are not received within the time specified by the court, your bankruptcy petition may be rejected.

You will receive a Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing with a case number within 1 business day of the court receiving all required documents listed above. The Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing is proof that you have filed for bankruptcy.

Step 5 – Payment of Fee

  1. Once you receive your bankruptcy case number, pay the filing fee using the court's online payment method. Go to the court's home page www.txeb.uscourts.gov  and click on the Online Payment button to begin the online payment process.  For instructions to pay online, click here.
  2. If you wish to request to pay the filing fee in installments, or if filing Chapter 7, and you wish to request to waive the filing fee, the deputy clerk processing your case will provide further guidance on these options.

Step 6 – Provide to the Clerk’s Office the Original Documents Uploaded in Step 4

Mail or present in person the following original documents within fourteen (14) days.  Failure to present the original documents listed below within the time specified by the court may result in your case being dismissed.

  1. The signed original of the signature page of your petition.
  2. The signed original pages included in the "declaration" file attached to the email.
  3. The signed original pages included in the "SSN_statement" file attached to the email.

 

By clicking here and using eSR to prepare your petition package, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all requirements stated above.

For procedural assistance on eSR, please contact the court at one of our available offices:

Beaumont Divisional Office
(409) 654-7060

Plano Divisional Office
(972) 509-1240

Tyler Divisional Office
(903) 590-3200