Changes to the Official Bankruptcy Forms Beginning December 1, 2015

Starting December 1, 2015 all United States Bankruptcy Courts will be using new bankruptcy forms for cases filed on or after this date.  These new forms will also be used for cases filed prior to December 1, 2015 but that require amended filings, additional filings, etc.  The United States Courts’ website states that “all but six existing official forms are on track to be replaced by modernized version.”¹

The purpose behind changing the bankruptcy forms is to make them more user friendly and easier to fill out if you are not hiring an attorney.  That doesn’t necessarily mean these documents are going to make complete sense the first time your read through them.  It is very important that you read and understand the bankruptcy forms so that you know what needs to be listed and what specific information must be disclosed.  However, bankruptcy is one of those areas in the law where there isn’t a great substitute for hiring a knowledgeable attorney to help you through the legal mind fields and avoid the pitfalls of bankruptcy.

The appearance of almost all of the forms will be changed and look different from their current version.  The roll out of the new bankruptcy forms will change the way everyone approaches filing new bankruptcy cases after December 1, 2015.  Filing for bankruptcy is a major decision and you want to know the case will be handled correctly and efficiently in order to receive the relief from your debt.

¹ http://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-amendments/pending-changes-bankruptcy-forms