By Alfred Villoch, III, Esquire, with Savage, Combs & Villoch, PLLC
The judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida are considering new rules and proposed amendments to the Local Rules. The proposals are available HERE for public comment beginning on March 9, 2015. The public comment period ends on April 24, 2015. When promulgated by the judges, the amended and new Local Rules will become effective on July 1, 2015.
While many proposed changes are stylistic, some of the proposals will affect daily bankruptcy practice. For instance, one proposed amendment reduces the time during which Electronic Filing Users must retain paper copies bearing original signatures from four years to two years. One new rule requires subpoenas before trial to be filed with the Court in addition to being served on each party to the adversary proceeding or contested matter. Another change involves amendments to lists and schedules. The amendment requires that the Notice of Deadline to File Proof of Claim, if any, be served upon newly added creditors in amended Schedules D, E and F.