• *Open the Bankruptcy Case 
  • This assigns your bankruptcy case number and begins to create the case docket.
  • For small business chapter 11 cases the following documents must be included with the petition at the time of filing or the documents will be considered deficient and due within 15 days of filing the petition.
  • Small Business Balance Sheet
  • Small Business of Operations
  • Small Business Case Flow Statement
  • Election of Small Business Designation by Debtor
• Upload creditors to the bankruptcy case. 
  • Creditors are upload to the case for noticing purpose.
• Assign the Judge, Trustee and 341 meeting date, time and location.
• File the Individuals Debtor's Certificate of Credit Counseling as a separate docket entry for chapter 7, 11 and 13's.  
  • If a joint petition case, file the Joint Debtor's Certificate of Credit Counseling. 
• File the Chapter 13 Plan as a separate docket entry, if applicable.
• File the Tax Returns that are required for chapter 11 small business cases. File as a separate docket entry using the Tax Return (secured image) document event.

*Open a Bankruptcy Case
The following are screens that will appear as you open your case. 

1. Select Bankruptcy menu.
2. Select Open a BK Case.
3. Case Number Screen
   1. Select appropriate chapter, 7, 11, 12, 13, etc. 
   2. Select "yes" if joint petition (joint debtor.)
   3. Select "yes" if case is deficient (i.e., missing schedules, plan, certificate of credit counseling, etc.)
      • Note: Subsequent screen will follow to indicate which schedules, plan, certificate of credit counseling, etc are missing. 
4. Search for a Party Screen Note: Repeat this step to add joint petitioner, if applicable. 
   1. Enter social security number, tax identification number, last name or business name to search for debtor name in the CM/ECF database. 
   2. Party search results 
      • Debtor name does not appear:
        • click on "Create new party" button.
      • Debtor name appears:
        • select the name from the list 
        • verify debtor information, mailing address, redacted social security number, etc.,  from the pop up window. Note: If debtor is "Barred from Filing" STOP opening the case. 
      • Debtor name appears but mailing address is incorrect, click on "Select name from list" button.
   3. Verify once more for correct party information and Submit. 
5. Statistical Information Screen
   1. Select "Type of Debtor," such as individual, corporation, etc. 
   2. Select the appropriate Fee Status:
      • "Paid" 
      • "Installment" - an Application for Installments is required. See Application for Installment procedures for chapter 7, 11, 12, 13.
      • "IFP Filing Fee Waived - an Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee is required. See Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee procedure. 
   3. Select "consumer" or "Business" for Nature of debt.
   4. Select "yes" for Asset Notice, ONLY if case is a Chapter 13 or 11.
   5. Select the appropriate Estimated number of creditors, assets and debts for the case. 
6. Deficiency List Screen (Note: This screen only appears if you selected "yes" in the Deficiency field in the Case Number Screen.)
   1. Check items not included in the petition. Note: If missing all schedules, select Schedules A-J, and not each item individually.  
7. Select the PDF Screen
   1. Browse, verify and attach the document (PDF file). 
   • READ IMPORTANT NOTES BELOW
     • Certificate of Credit Counseling must be filed as a separate document, not included with the petition.
     • Schedule "C" is only required if the debtor is filing as an individual (Local Rules1007(b) and Fed. R. Bankr P 11 USC Section 522(b). 
     • PDF copy of Voluntary Petition must contain the redacted social security number. 
     • Attach supportive documents, such as Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney for Debtor (CSD 1009), if applicable.
       • Note: Documentation supplied by the debtor to support the petition, Rights and Responsibilities, Valuation Attachment to Plan, and tax returns, when applicable, must be routed to the case trustee via Route Documents to Trustee and NOT attached to the Petition. Tax Returns for chapter 11 small business cases must be entered as a separate docket entry using the Tax Return (secured image) document event. NEVER attach to the petition.
8. Verify deadlines for documents due to the court. 
9. Select the "no", "yes" or "unknown" for Presumption Arises. Note: This only appears for Chapter 7 cases. 
10. Verify filing fee and deadlines.
11. Modify text to add pertinent information, if applicable.
12. Verify final docket text before submitting onto case docket.
13. Print the Notice of Electronic Filing. It's your receipt.
    • Make note of the assigned case number. 
14. Continue procedure with uploading creditors to the bankruptcy case.

Note: The Declaration re:ECF (CSD 1801) and the Statement of Social Security Number (B 21) with original signatures must be filed on or before 15 days of filing the petition via U.S. Mail or at the Bankruptcy Court's Intake window at 325 W. F. Street, San Diego, CA 92101.

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