Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: delivery upon filing, by chambers drop off. Copies of filed documents must be delivered to chambers following each judge's procedures.
Judge Mary Jo Heston's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Withdrawal without replacement requires a court order, obtained either by stipulation or by motion with hearing.
Judge Mary Jo Heston's rule states these limits: 24 pages; 12 pages. Opening and responsive memoranda for dispositive motions limited to 24 pages; reply briefs limited to 12 pages (half of opening).
Judge Mary Jo Heston's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Excludes exhibits and attachments. Mediation statements are limited to 10 pages, excluding exhibits and attachments.
Judge Mary Jo Heston's formatting rule includes file format paper and only paper submissions allowed for trial exhibits unless court orders otherwise.. Trial and evidentiary hearing exhibits must be submitted on paper only.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Petitions by ECF filers must include debtor's signature; missing signature may result in dismissal within 1 business day.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Debtor must file a list of creditors within 7 days of petition filing.
Parties may contact Judge Mary Jo Heston's trustee by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email courtmail@seattlech13.com, specialcounsel@chapter13tacoma.org. Ex parte chapter 13 dismissal orders must be emailed to the Seattle and Tacoma chapter 13 trustees.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Mary Jo Heston. Process: file redacted on ecf. The ECF event for sealing motions allows filing under seal without prior approval; sealed documents must be docketed separately but simultaneously.
Judge Mary Jo Heston's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request and original date. Motion for extension of time to file schedules must be filed before deadline and contain specified information; court cannot extend to within 7 days of 341 meeting unless continuance arranged.
A fee is required for covered filings, and the rule identifies waiver availability. Voluntary petition must be accompanied by full payment, waiver application, or installment application.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Attorneys and trustees must file all documents electronically through ECF.
Orders and judgments must be formatted per Local Bankruptcy Rule 9021-1.
Voluntary petition must be accompanied by full payment, waiver application, or installment application.
Debtor unable to pay filing fee may file installment application with initial payment due with petition; initial installment amounts vary by chapter; denial if prior case within 8 years with fees owed.
Individual chapter 7 debtor may file waiver application (Form B 103B) with petition for waiver of filing fee.
Motion for extension of time to file schedules must be filed before deadline and contain specified information; court cannot extend to within 7 days of 341 meeting unless continuance arranged.
Motions for reconsideration shall not be noted for hearing unless the court requests oral argument.
Debtors on active military duty must indicate on Schedule I; if deployed for 14+ days after filing, must file notice with deployment dates, address, and redacted orders.
Upon conversion of a bankruptcy case, debtor must file amendments to required documents or a declaration of no changes.
First page of any amendment must show debtor's name and case number; amendment must be verified.
Petition may be amended to change debtor's name by ex parte motion.
In chapter 7/12/13 cases, when amending schedules to add creditors after 341 notice mailed but before 341 meeting, debtor must serve notice and 341 copy on added creditors and file proof of service.
Mediator must file Certificate of Compliance within 14 days of mediation conference conclusion.
Amendments to schedules must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
Debtor must serve amendment to exemptions on trustee and affected entities, and file proof of service on non-ECF participants.
Debtor or trustee must file certificate of service of notice within 7 days.
Petitions by ECF filers must include debtor's signature; missing signature may result in dismissal within 1 business day.
Missing debtor signature on ECF petition may result in dismissal within 1 business day without further notice.
Petitions by unrepresented individuals must include debtor's signature; missing signature results in rejection or 7-day deficiency notice for joint petitions.
Missing signature on petition by unrepresented individual results in immediate rejection by clerk.
Joint petitions missing a joint debtor's signature receive a 7-day deficiency notice to cure.
Debtor must file a verified statement of social security number or taxpayer identification number with the petition.
ECF petition missing verified statement may be dismissed after 1 business day.
Paper petitions missing verified statement may be rejected by the clerk.
Joint petitions with only one verified statement receive a 7-day deficiency notice.
Proponent of chapter 11 plan must give notice of the deadline for accepting or rejecting the plan.
Debtor must file a list of creditors within 7 days of petition filing.
Creditor list must be filed within 7 days of petition; failure may result in dismissal.
Debtor must file schedules and statements with the petition; failure may result in dismissal after 15 days' notice.
Dismissal for missing schedules requires 15 days' notice to debtor.
Motion to vacate dismissal order must be served on trustee and all parties in interest.