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Filing Without an Attorney

Pandemic (COVID-19) Filing Instructions for those NOT represented by an Attorney.

(pro se filers only)

Presently the United States Bankruptcy Court is not taking in-person filings.

For questions regarding your existing case, please contact the case administrator assigned to your case based on your case number:

Cases ending with 0, 7, 8: Chasity Lucas - 225-346-3310
Cases ending with 1, 2, 3, 09-49: Jennifer Poche - 225-346-3309
Cases ending with 4, 5, 6, 59-99: Regina Callihan - 225-346-3313

If you have an emergency filing, please call: (225) 346-3333.

If your filing is not an emergency, please mail filing to:

United States Bankruptcy Clerks Office
Middle District of Louisiana
707 Florida Street, Room 119
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

You may also email filing to intake@lamb.uscourts.gov

If your filing requires a fee, please include the amount required in the form of Money Order or Cashier’s Check made payable to: U. S. Bankruptcy Court. This office does not accept personal checks from debtors.

The list of fees can be found here: https://www.lamb.uscourts.gov/schedule-fees.

If you have a hearing scheduled, please contact chambers as soon as possible at (225) 346-3335.

 

Individuals may represent themselves in bankruptcy court. However, filing without an attorney (referred to as "pro se") is extremely difficult to do successfully.  

Corporations and partnerships must have an attorney to file a bankruptcy case.
It is very important that a bankruptcy case is filed and handled correctly. The rules are very technical, and a misstep may affect a debtor's rights. All parties must comply with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Bankruptcy Code Federal (National) Rules, as well as this court's Local Rules. For example, a debtor whose case is dismissed for failure to file a required document (such as a credit counseling certificate) may lose the right to file another case or lose protections in a later case, including the benefit of the automatic stay.
 
Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences - hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.