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CLERK’S INSTRUCTIONSDate: July 2022UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURTMIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
NOTICEThe Clerk’s Instructions provides a single source of information to bankruptcy practitioners inthe Middle District of Georgia, combining both the former Clerk’s Instructions and the BankruptcyReference Manual. It has been prepared using information, policies, and procedures both asrequired by Local Bankruptcy Rules and by accepted local practice.Notwithstanding any information, policy, or procedure contained in the Clerk’s Instructions, thelegal sufficiency of any matter filed in the court is determined solely by reference to the UnitedStates Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Local Rules of the Court, andany administrative orders of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia.Procedural, form, and other requirements set forth by Local Rules are noted where appropriatein the Clerk’s Instructions. Other information contained herein represent suggestions concerningpreferred practices in the court.The Clerk’s Instructions are subject to change as laws, regulations, policies, and procedureswhich affect operations in this court change.The Clerk’s Instructions will use the following abbreviations:“FRBP” for Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure“FRCP” for Federal Rules of Civil Procedure“LBR” for Local Bankruptcy RulesPractitioners are welcome to submit recommended changes to the Clerk’s Instructions at anytime to the Clerk of Court at Kyle George@gamb.uscourts.govKYLE GEORGECLERK OF COURT
Table of ContentsI.BANKRUPTCY COURT AT A GLANCE . 1Business Hours of the Court . 1Judges. 1Clerk of Court and Chief Deputy Clerk . 1Mailing Address of the Court . 1Telephone Numbers - Clerk’s Office . 1Court Hearing Locations . 2341 Meeting Locations . 2United States Trustee and Trustees . 3Federal Holidays . 5Case/Judge Assignment . 5Division Numbers/Assignment of Case Numbers . 5Divisions and Counties in each Division . 6Forms . 7Local Forms Approved by the Clerk . 7Official Forms Available From the Clerk’s Office . 8Miscellaneous Forms Found In Appendix . 8PACER. 8MCVCIS . 9Internet Web Page . 9II. FILING INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS . 9Administrative Procedures for Filing, Signing and Verifying Pleadings . 9Commencement of a Case . 14District Where Petition Should be Filed . 14Official Forms Must Be Used . 14Petitions Must Be Verified and Signed . 14Types of Cases . 14Multiple Entities as Debtor . 15Joint Cases . 15Order for Relief . 15Filing a Voluntary Case . 16Required Lists, Schedules, Statements and Fees . 16Filing an Involuntary Petition . 22Filing Fees Required . 23Form of Payment . 23System Security Requirements . 24Fee Payment When Opening a New Bankruptcy Case . 24Fee Payment With Motions Requiring Fees . 30Reports Related to Internet Payments . 30III. ELECTRONIC FILING - FAX AND EMAIL POLICY (LBR 5005-4) . 33Electronic Filing . 33Filings by Facsimile or Email. 33IV. AMENDMENTS TO PETITIONS . 33Notice of Amendment . 33Fees for Amendments . 33
V. PROOFS OF CLAIM. 34Filing and Service of Proofs of Claim . 34Who May Execute Proofs of Claim . 34Evidence of Perfection of Security Interest . 35Time for Filing Claims. 35Place for Filing Claims . 35Examining Claims. 36Objections to Claims . 36Motions to Allow Late Filed Claim or Motions to Allow Post Petition Debt . 36Reconsideration of Claims . 37VI. HOW ISSUES MAY BE RAISED IN BANKRUPTCY COURT . 37ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS . 37Filing a Complaint . 37Form and Caption of Complaint . 37Contents of Complaint . 38Adversary Cover Sheet . 39Numbers Assigned to Adversary Proceedings . 39Amendments to Complaints . 39Filing Fee for Complaints . 39Time Limits for Filing Complaints . 39Issuance of Summons and Notice of Pre-Trial . 40Service of Summons and Complaint. 40Proof of Service . 40Responsive Pleadings. 40Service and Filing of Pleadings . 41Discovery . 41Jury Trial (LBR 9015-1) . 41DEFAULT JUDGMENTS . 41Entry of Default . 41Judgment by Default . 42Setting Aside the Judgment by Default . 42MOTIONS . 43Contents of Motions/Multiple Requests For Relief . 43SERVICE OF MOTIONS .43Notice - Requirements of Form (LBR 9004-1) . .43Motions For Relief from Stay . 44Special Procedures for Ex Parte Relief . 45Lien Avoidance Motions. 45Motion for Summary Judgment .45VII. APPLICATIONS. 46Notice and Hearing Requirement. 46Objections . 46VIII. APPEALS . 47Manner of Taking Appeal . 47
Time for Filing Notice of Appeal . 47Expedited Appeal . 47Designation of Record and Statement of Issues. 47Requesting Transcripts. 48Duty of Clerk to Transmit Record . 48Briefs . 48Motions for Leave to Appeal . 48Motions for Stay Pending Appeal . 49Dismissal of an Appeal . 49IX. REMOVAL AND REMAND . 49Removal is Initiated by Filing a Notice of Removal . 49Fee Required for Removal . 49Time for Filing Notice of Removal . 50Notice of Removal . 50Filing of Copy of Notice with Court from Which Removal is Being Effected . 50When Removal Effected . 50Motions for Remand . 50X. REAFFIRMATION AGREEMENTS . 50XI. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION . 51Discharge of Debtor - When Granted . 51Discharge Hearings . 51Exemptions/Lien Avoidance . 51Subpoenas to Witness in Bankruptcy Matters . 52Archived and Closed Files . 52Reopening Cases (FRBP 5010) . 53Court Reporting . 53Transcripts and Duplicate Tapes/Audio CDs of Proceedings . 54Attorney Duties and Information 54Withdrawal of Counsel . 54Courtroom Practice and Procedures. 55Presentation of Multimedia in the Courtroom . 55Continuances and Settlements . 55Final Disposition Calendar . .55Emergency or Expedited Hearings and Motions . 56XII. CHAPTER 11 MATTERS . 56Chapter 11 Plan and Disclosure Statement . 56Objections to Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan. 56Ballots-Voting on Plans . 57Chapter 11 Confirmation Procedure . 57Chapter 11 Individual/Individual Small Business Discharge and Closing Procedure . 58Chapter 11 Small Bus. Subchapter V Indv. and Non-Indv., Non-Consensually Confirmed . 58XIII. CHAPTER 12 MATTERS . 58XIV. CHAPTER 13 MATTERS. 58
XV. OTHER MATTERS . 59Conversions . 59Dismissals (LBR 1017-2) . 59Sale of Estate Property (LBR 6004-1) . 59Joint Administration/Consolidation . 59XVI. RETURNED NOTICES/UNDELIVERABLE NOTICES . 59Master Mailing List/Matrix (LBR 1007-2) . 60Example Creditor List. . . . .60Required Addresses for Proper Notice to Major Agencies of the U.S. Government andGeorgia State Government . . . .61XVII. HELPFUL REMINDERS. .62APPENDICES . 63Appendix A Certification Regarding Request for Expedited Hearing . 63Appendix B Chapter 11 Ballot Summary (by Claim) . 64Appendix C Chapter 11 Ballot Summary (by Class) . 65Appendix D Request to Expedite Appeal . 66Appendix E Affidavit In Support of Request for Entry of Default and Default Judgment . 67Appendix F Final Report and Application for Final Decree . 68Appendix G Final Account. 70Appendix H Final Decree . 71Appendix I Reserved . 72Appendix J Final Disposition Calendar . 73Appendix K Pro Se Debtor Statement of Assistance . 74
I.BANKRUPTCY COURT AT A GLANCEBusiness Hours of the CourtThe public business hours of the Office of the Clerk are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST, all days except Saturday,Sunday and federal holidays. Registered users of the CM/ECF system have access to file and view documents 24hours per day, 7 days a week. In an emergency and subject to review by the court, papers may be filed at othertimes by making prior arrangements with the Clerk or Chief Deputy (see Sections II and III).JudgesThe judges of the Court are:The Honorable James P. Smith, Chief JudgeThe Honorable John T. Laney, IIIThe Honorable Austin E. CarterClerk of Court and Chief Deputy ClerkKyle George - ClerkScott Poupard - Chief Deputy ClerkMailing Address of the CourtMacon Office:P. O. Box 1957, Macon, GA 31202Columbus Divisional Office:P. O. Box 2147, Columbus, GA 31902Telephone Numbers - Clerk’s OfficeMacon OfficeChief DeputyAdministrative Services SpecialistFinancial Deputy (Macon/Columbus)Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk (Judge Smith)Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk (Judge Carter)Personnel SpecialistProcurement DeputyOperations ManagerSupervisorSupervisor478-752-3506Direct 40749-6845749-6838749-6831749-6827Page 1
Columbus Office706-649-7837Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk (Judge Laney)Deputy-in-ChargeDirect Dial706-596-7153706-596-7141Court Hearing LocationsAlbany DivisionC. B. King U.S. Courthouse2nd FloorU.S. Bankruptcy Courtroom201 W. Broad AvenueAlbany, GA 31701Athens DivisionUnited States CourtroomU.S. Post Office Building115 E. Hancock AvenueAthens, GA 30601Columbus DivisionU. S. Bankruptcy CourtroomOne Arsenal Place, Suite 309901 Front AvenueColumbus, GA 31901Macon DivisionU. S. Courtroom A (Judge Smith) or Courtroom B (Judge Carter)433 Cherry StreetMacon, GA 31201Valdosta DivisionU. S. Courtroom, 2nd FloorU. S. Courthouse401 N. Patterson StreetValdosta, GA 31601While hearings are scheduled in all divisions, the only staffed offices are in Macon and Columbus.341 Meeting LocationsAlbany Division345 W. Broad StreetOld Albany Federal Courthouse & Post Office - 3rd FloorAlbany, GA 31707Athens DivisionThe Classic Center300 North Thomas StreetAthens, GA 30601Columbus DivisionThe Rankin Building#7 10th StreetColumbus, GA 31901Page 2
Macon Division341(a) Meeting Room433 Cherry StreetFirst Floor, Suite CMacon, GA 31201Valdosta DivisionU. S. CourthouseCreditor’s Meeting RoomRoom 257401 N. Patterson StreetValdosta, GA 31601United States Trustees and TrusteesTrustees:Courtney M. DavisChapter 7 – Ath1090-C Founders BoulevardAthens, GA 30606 (706) 548-7070Camille HopeChapter 13 - Mac, AthP. O. Box 954Macon, GA 31202 (478) 742-8706Walter W. KelleyP. O. Box 70879 - Ch. 7 Col, Val, MacP. O. Box 70849 - Ch. 12 - All DivisionsAlbany, GA 31708Chapter 7 Cases (229) 888-9128Chapter 12 Cases (229) 888-2257Jonathan DeLoachChapter 13 - Alb, Col, ValPO Box 1907Columbus, GA 31902-1907 (706) 327-4151Joy R. WebsterChapter 7 - Mac, Col, AthP. O. Box 1098Macon, GA 31202 (478) 742-1889Rob MatsonChapter 11 Subchapter VPO Box 309Macon, GA 31202 (478) 742-1889Rob MatsonChapter 7 - AlbPO Box 309Macon, GA 31202 (478) 742-1889Jenny WalkerChapter 11 Subchapter VPO Box 1606Macon, GA 31202 (478) 749-1724U. S. Trustee and Assistant U. S. TrusteesRule 5003(e) Noticing-Government Address RegisterUnited States TrusteeRegion 2175 Ted Turner Drive, SWSuite 362Atlanta, GA 30303404-331-4437Assistant U. S. TrusteeNorthern District of Georgia75 Ted Turner Drive, SWSuite 362Atlanta, GA 30303404-331-4437Assistant U. S. TrusteeMiddle District of Georgia440 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste 302Macon, GA 31201478-752-3544Assistant U. S. TrusteeNorthern District of Florida110 East Park AvenueSuite 128Tallahassee, FL 32301850-942-1660Page 3
US Small Business AdministrationGeorgia District Office233 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 300Atlanta, GA 30303bankruptcynotices@sba.govOther Pertinent AddressesUnited States Attorney300 Mulberry St., 4th FloorPO Box 1702Macon, GA 31202-1702478-752-3511Correspondence to IRS:Internal Revenue ServiceP. O. Box 7346Philadelphia, PA 19101-7346Toll Free: 800-973-0424 / Fax: 267-941-1015Georgia Department of RevenueARCS - Bankruptcy1800 Century Blvd, NE Suite 9100Atlanta, GA 30345-3205404-417-6543 / Fax 404-417-6513bankruptcy.notices@dor.ga.govTexas Workforce CommissionBankruptcy Unit, Rm 556101 E. 15th St.Austin, TX 78778-0001Overnight mail to IRS:Internal Revenue Service2970 Market Street; Mail Stop 5-Q30.133Philadelphia, PA 19104-5016US Securities & Exchange CommissionOffice of Reorganization – Atlanta Regional Office950 East Paces Ferry Road, NESuite 900Atlanta, GA 30326-1382404-842-7600/email: atlanta@sec.govPayments to IRS:Internal Revenue ServiceP. O. Box 7317Philadelphia, PA 19101-7317Service of Adversary Proceedings:Franchise Tax Boardc/o General Counsel SectionChief CounselP. O. Box 1720, MS A-260Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1720Bankruptcy Code Section 505 Requests andAll Other Service Notices:Franchise Tax BoardBankruptcy Section, MS: A-340P. O. Box 2952Sacramento, CA 95812-2952Michigan Department of TreasuryTax Policy DivisionATTN: Litigation Liaison2nd Floor, Austin Building430 West Allegan StreetLansing, MI 48922U.S. Attorney GeneralUS Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Ave., NWWashington, DC 20530-0001Tennessee Department of Revenuec/o Tennessee Attorney General’sOfficeBankruptcy DivisionPO Box 20207Nashville, TN 37202-0207Page 4
Federal HolidaysThe United States Bankruptcy Court closes in observance of the following federal holidays:*New Year’s DayMartin Luther King, Jr.’s BirthdayPresident’s DayMemorial Day*Juneteenth*Independence DayLabor DayColumbus Day*Veteran’s DayThanksgiving Day*Christmas DayJanuary 13rd Monday in January3rd Monday in FebruaryLast Monday in MayJune 19July 41st Monday in September2nd Monday in OctoberNovember 114th Thursday in NovemberDecember 25* When this holiday occurs on a weekend, the court will close on the nearest Friday or Monday.Case/Judge AssignmentUpon the filing of a petition, the case is assigned to a Bankruptcy Judge overnight. Unless there is a conflict ofinterest, cases are assigned as follows:THE HONORABLE JAMES P. SMITHAthens DivisionMacon DivisionTHE HONORABLE JOHN T. LANEY, IIIColumbus DivisionValdosta DivisionTHE HONORABLE AUSTIN E. CARTERAlbany DivisionMacon DivisionDivision Numbers/Assignment of Case NumbersEach division is assigned a division number: AlbanyAthensColumbusMaconValdosta-13457The division number is always a part of the case number and is the first number after the dash, i.e., 19-40493.Also, the case number must include the initials (in all capital letters) of the judge assigned to the case, i.e.,17-40493-JTL or 17-10493-AEC, or 17-50493-JPS. Please include the judge’s initials as a part of the casenumber when filing all pleadings.Page 5
Divisions and Counties in each DivisionALBANY DIVISION - 1BakerWebsterBen ENS DIVISION - glethorpeWaltonCOLUMBUS - lphStewartTalbotTaylorMACON DIVISION - onPage 6
Macon Division tnamTwiggsUpsonWashingtonWilcoxWilkinsonVALDOSTA - owndesThomasTiftFormsPlease note that members of the Clerk’s staff are barred from assisting with the completion of for
any administrative orders of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Procedural, form, and other requirements set forth by Local Rules are noted where appropriate . Middle District of Georgia Northern District of Florida 440 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste 302 110 East Park Avenue Macon, GA 31201 Suite 128 .
