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Electronic Self-Representation (eSR)

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 legal requirements. Low or no cost legal resources are available.

What is eSR?

eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney.

Individuals who wish to file a bankruptcy petition and who live in the Middle District of Louisiana can use eSR. The Middle District of Louisiana includes the following parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena. eSR is not available to attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers. eSR is not designed for business or corporate bankruptcy filings. 

Why use eSR?

There is no cost to use eSR. Pay only the filing fee. There is no software to download or purchase, and eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any Internet-enabled computer.

eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that 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. 

How do I use eSR?

First, ensure you meet all the technical requirements to use eSR:

  • Internet connection.
  • Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher).
  • Pop-up blocker must be disabled.
  • Browser requirements - It is recommended that you use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari. 

Then, you can prepare your petition.

Chapter 7 Petition Checklist

 

Chapter 13 Petition Checklist

 

  1. Obtain credit counseling from a UST-approved credit counseling agency.  The law requires credit counseling before filing bankruptcy.
  2. Collect your financial documents before you begin.
  3. Create a user profile, unique login, and password.
  4. Answer questions about your property, income and debts.
  5. Complete and sign the required forms:
    1. Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Self-Represented Individual)
    2. Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Local Form 2)
    3. Statement of Social Security Number
  6. Deliver the Declaration forms, Statement of Social Security Number, creditor mailing list, and filing fee to the bankruptcy court.
  7. An automatic stay (injunction) is NOT in effect until a bankruptcy case number is opened by the bankruptcy court.
  8. A bankruptcy petition WILL NOT BE FILED if the Declaration Forms, the Statement of Social Security Number, the mailing list of creditors, and the filing fee are NOT received by the court.

Start a petition on eSR

FAQs

What happens after I submit my eSR petition?
After submitting your petition, you will receive an email confirming the electronic receipt of the bankruptcy petition submitted to the Court. The bankruptcy petition will NOT be officially filed and a case number will NOT be assigned until the items listed on the confirmation email have been received by the Bankruptcy Court. The items are due within 10 days of the date of the confirmation email. 

I completed my petition via eSR but want to apply for a fee waiver (chapter 7 only) and/or installments.
The completed application for a fee waiver or installments is due to the court within 10 days of the date of the confirmation email, along with the other documents outlined in the confirmation email.

How many days do I have to bring my filing fee, declarations of electronic filing and additional local forms?
The filing fee, declarations of electronic filing and additional forms are due to the Court within 10 days of the date of the confirmation email. It’s important to remember that your eSR petition is NOT filed until you deliver the filing fee, Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing Forms and additional forms to the Court.

I can’t open the attachments in the confirmation email.  Where can I get the forms attached?
The required forms can be found above in Step 5.

I submitted my petition but realized I need to make some changes before filing.  How can I do that?
If you need to make changes to the petition but have already submitted it, you will need to contact the Court to make the petition available to you again via eSR. You may contact the court at (225) 346-3333.

I need more help with eSR.
For technical and procedural assistance on eSR, please contact the court at (225) 346-3333.