Chapter 13 Attorneys Fees: As previously announced, Operating Order 07-12, establishing an expedited procedure for approval of attorneys’ fees in chapter 13 cases, goes into effect January 1, 2008. The Form Plan has been additionally revised to include a specific reference to Operating Order 07-12. In order to assist with the application process, the Court is providing a summary of the procedure and related CM/ECF events. If you have any questions, please email them to waites_chambers@scb.uscourts.gov by December 28, 2007. If needed based upon the questions submitted, the Court, with the assistance of the chapter 13 trustees, may sponsor sessions following a chapter 13 docket to address any outstanding issues.

Deficiency Notices: Also effective January 1, 2008, in order to address the level of continuous monitoring performed on behalf of the Clerk’s Office, represented debtors and their counsel will no longer receive a notice of filings due in a case for which schedules, statements, and other documents have not been filed. In addition, deficiency notices will no longer be issued if a notice does not contain the correct judge or hearing assignment. Hearings scheduled incorrectly may not be heard and may be removed from the calendar. Passive and 362 hearing dates will remain posted on the Court’s web page at least two (2) months in advance. If you have any questions please contact the Court at 803-765-5045.