Author Question: Discuss several of the electronic resources available to bankruptcy paralegals. In your essay ... (Read 34 times)

abc · **on:** Aug 2, 2018

Discuss several of the electronic resources available to bankruptcy paralegals. In your essay response, be sure to also describe how paralegals and attorneys use PACER and CM/ECF in bankruptcy practice when filing the various forms and schedules in a bankruptcy case. Explain the differences between federal and local bankruptcy forms.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Knowledge of ________ bankruptcy law and procedure, and how it applies to the client's specific circumstances, cannot be replaced by any type of bankruptcy software program.

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

tjayeee · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

CM/ECF, the acronym for the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system, enables attorneys and paralegals to file and download documents related to bankruptcy cases when the firm represents the debtor, creditor, or other interested party. Bankruptcy cases are actually filed and managed through CM/ECF. Each bankruptcy court has control over the system in its district, so paralegals and attorneys filing cases for clients must log on to the CM/ECF database for that particular court.

Training for CM/ECF and PACER is available at no cost through the PACER website. Paralegals who wish to work in a bankruptcy practice or any other federally based practice should make it a point to take advantage of the free training. Learning the system is a must because most bankruptcy cases are filed electronically.

Official forms must be used to file and process a bankruptcy case. These forms must be used in all district courts throughout the country and are specified in the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.

The legal profession now does most of its work with the aid of technological resources. Bankruptcy resources are accessed online. Bankruptcy research is conducted online. National (federal) and local bankruptcy court forms are available online for public use. Paralegals working in a bankruptcy law practice should be aware that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the specific district where the client's case will be filed may require filing additional forms to comply with local bankruptcy rules. The individual district courts may draft their own rules specifically for the administration and case management of bankruptcy matters through that particular court system. Local bankruptcy forms are created by the individual district courts and may vary from one federal district to another. Paralegals should also take note of whether local forms are either mandatory or recommended. Some federal district courts only require filing of the Official Forms found on the U.S. Courts website.

The following are several of the electronic resources available to paralegals on the internet:

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts website provides information about bankruptcy statistics.
United States Department of Justice, United States Trustee Program is the official government website for the U.S. Trustee Program that includes valuable information about the federal bankruptcy system.
U.S. Courts is the official website of the United States federal courts. It is an absolutely essential resource for bankruptcy professionals for access to forms and to look up terms, find the names of trustees, find court locations, etc.

Answer to Question 2

substantive