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Local Bankruptcy Rules United States Bankruptcy Court

District of Massachusetts

APRIL 1, 2016

United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern Division John W. McCormack Post Office and Court House 5 Post Office Square Boston, MA 02109-3945 (617 )748-5300

United States Bankruptcy Court Central Division Harold Donohue Federal Building and Courthouse 595 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608-2076 (508) 770-8900

United States Bankruptcy Court Western Division United States Courthouse 300 State Street Springfield, MA 01105-2925 (413) 785-6900

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. COMMENCEMENT OF CASE: PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO PETITION AND ORDER FOR RELIEF ........................................................................................ 1

RULE 1001-1. TITLE ............................................................................................................ 1

RULE 1002-1. STATUS CONFERENCES .................................................................................. 1

RULE 1006-1. FILING FEES ................................................................................................... 2

RULE 1006-2. FEES-INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS; IN FORMA PAUPERIS .................................... 2

RULE 1006-3. REFUND FOR DUPLICATE ELECTRONIC FILING FEES ......................................... 3

RULE 1007-1. LISTS, SCHEDULES AND STATEMENTS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED .... 3

RULE 1009-1. AMENDMENTS .............................................................................................. 5

RULE 1015-1. JOINT ADMINISTRATION OF CASES PENDING IN THE SAME COURT .................. 6

RULE 1016-1 DEATH OF DEBTOR (CHAPTER 7, 11 AND 12) .................................................. 7

RULE 1017-1. MOTIONS FOR CONVERSION OR DISMISSAL IN CHAPTER 11; SUBMISSION OF MOTIONS AND OPPOSITIONS TO MOTIONS; HEARING .................................... 9

PART II. OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION; NOTICES; MEETINGS; EXAMINATIONS; ELECTIONS; ATTORNEYS AND ACCOUNTANTS ............................................. 11

RULE 2002-1. NOTICE TO PARTIES ..................................................................................... 11

RULE 2002-2. NOTICES TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ........................................................................................ 12

RULE 2002-4. ADDRESSES ................................................................................................. 12

RULE 2002-5. CONTENT OF NOTICES OF SALE .................................................................... 13

RULE 2003-1. CREDITORS' COMMITTEE ............................................................................. 13

RULE 2007.2-1. APPOINTMENT OF PATIENT CARE OMBUDSMAN IN A HEALTH CARE BUSINESS CASE ........................................................................................................... 14

RULE 2014-1. APPLICATION TO EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL PERSONS ..................................... 15

RULE 2016-1. APPLICATION FOR COMPENSATION ............................................................. 17

RULE 2082-1. CONFIRMATION OF CHAPTER 12 PLANS ....................................................... 21

RULE 2090-2. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS ....................................................................... 21

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RULE 2091-1. WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE .................................................................. 21

PART III. CLAIMS AND DISTRIBUTION TO CREDITORS AND EQUITY INTEREST HOLDERS; PLANS ........................................................................................................ 21

RULE 3001-1. PROOFS OF CLAIM IN NO ASSET CASES ........................................................ 21

RULE 3002-1. DEADLINE FOR ASSERTING ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. § 503(b)(9); RECLAMATION OF GOODS ........................................................... 22

RULE 3007-1. OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS .............................................................................. 22

RULE 3011-1. PROCEDURE FOLLOWING FINAL DISTRIBUTION ............................................ 23

RULE 3015-1. CHAPTER 13 CASES ...................................................................................... 24

RULE 3017-1. APPROVAL OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS IN CHAPTER 11 CASES OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS CASES............................................................................... 24

RULE 3017-2. FILING OF PLAN AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IN SMALL BUSINESS CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION CASES ........................................................................ 25

RULE 3022-1. CLOSING CHAPTER 11 CASES ....................................................................... 25

PART IV. THE DEBTOR: DUTIES AND BENEFITS ........................................................... 27

RULE 4001-1. MOTIONS FOR RELIEF FROM STAY; SUBMISSION OF MOTIONS AND OPPOSITIONS TO MOTIONS ......................................................................... 27

RULE 4001-2. USE OF CASH COLLATERAL, OBTAINING CREDIT AND STIPULATIONS RELATING TO SAME .................................................................................................... 30

RULE 4001-3. PERMITTED BILLING AND SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATIONS ......................... 33

RULE 4002-1. DUTIES OF DEBTOR ..................................................................................... 34

RULE 4003-1. AVOIDANCE OF JUDICIAL LIEN ..................................................................... 35

RULE 4008-1. REAFFIRMATION AGREEMENTS ................................................................... 35

PART V. BANKRUPTCY COURTS AND CLERKS ............................................................ 36

RULE 5001-1. DIVISIONS OF COURT, CASE ASSIGNMENTS AND FILING OF PAPERS .............. 36

RULE 5001-2. OFFICE OF THE CLERK .................................................................................. 37

RULE 5003-1. CLERK’S AUTHORITY TO ENTER MINISTERIAL ORDERS ................................... 37

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RULE 5005-4. FACSIMILE FILINGS ...................................................................................... 38

RULE 5007-1. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSCRIPTS ............................................. 38

RULE 5009-1. CLOSING CHAPTER 7 CASES ......................................................................... 39

RULE 5011-1. WITHDRAWAL OF THE REFERENCE ............................................................... 39

RULE 5071-1. CONTINUANCES .......................................................................................... 39

PART VI. COLLECTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE ESTATE ..................................................... 40

RULE 6004-1. SALE OF ESTATE PROPERTY .......................................................................... 40

RULE 6005-1. APPRAISERS, BROKERS AND INVESTMENT BANKERS ..................................... 48

RULE 6006-1. MOTION FOR ASSUMPTION OR REJECTION OF EXECUTORY CONTRACT OR UNEXPIRED LEASE ....................................................................................... 49

RULE 6007-1. ABANDONMENT OF ESTATE PROPERTY ........................................................ 50

RULE 6012-1. ADEQUATE ASSURANCE OF PAYMENT FOR UTILITY SERVICE ......................... 51

PART VII. ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS ................................................................................... 51

RULE 7003-1. INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY COMPLAINT IN ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS . 51

RULE 7016-1. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE ................................................................................. 51

RULE 7024-2. NOTIFICATION OF CLAIM OF UNCONSTITUTIONALITY ................................... 52

RULE 7026-1. GENERAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISCOVERY ........................................... 52

RULE 7027-1. DEPOSITIONS .............................................................................................. 53

RULE 7033-1. INTERROGATORIES ...................................................................................... 53

RULE 7036-1. REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION ......................................................................... 54

RULE 7037-1. FAILURE TO MAKE DISCOVERY; SANCTIONS .................................................. 55

RULE 7041-1 DISMISSAL OF COMPLAINTS AND CLOSING OF ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS INACTIVE FOR SIX MONTHS ......................................................................... 56

RULE 7052-1. JUDGMENTS-PREPARATION AND ENTRY ...................................................... 57

RULE 7055-1. JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT .............................................................................. 57

RULE 7055-2. DISMISSAL FOR WANT OF PROSECUTION ..................................................... 57

RULE 7056-1. SUMMARY JUDGMENT ................................................................................ 58

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RULE 7067-1. DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF REGISTRY FUNDS ......................................... 58

PART VIII RESERVED

PART IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................................................................ 58

RULE 9004-1. FONT