Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure

Primary tabs

[ This is primarily a resource for lawyers. For general information on bankruptcy, click here. ]

(Effective August 1, 1983, as amended to Dec. 1, 2023)

  1. BANKRUPTCY RULES
    1. Rule 1001. Scope of Rules and Forms; Short Title
  2. PART I—COMMENCEMENT OF CASE; PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO PETITION AND ORDER FOR RELIEF
    1. Rule 1002. Commencement of Case
    2. Rule 1003. Involuntary Petition
    3. Rule 1004. Involuntary Petition Against a Partnership
    4. Rule 1004.1 Petition for an Infant or Incompetent Person
    5. Rule 1004.2 Petition in Chapter 15 Cases
    6. Rule 1005. Caption of Petition
    7. Rule 1006. Filing Fee
    8. Rule 1007. Lists, Schedules, Statements, and Other Documents; Time Limits
    9. Rule 1008. Verification of Petitions and Accompanying Papers
    10. Rule 1009. Amendments of Voluntary Petitions, Lists, Schedules and Statements
    11. Rule 1010. Service of Involuntary Petition and Summons; Petition For Recognition of a Foreign Nonmain Proceeding
    12. Rule 1011. Responsive Pleading or Motion in Involuntary and Cross-Border Cases
    13. Rule 1012. Responsive Pleading in Cross-Border Cases
    14. Rule 1013. Hearing and Disposition of a Petition in an Involuntary Case
    15. Rule 1014. Dismissal and Change of Venue
    16. Rule 1015. Consolidation or Joint Administration of Cases Pending in Same Court
    17. Rule 1016. Death or Incompetency of Debtor
    18. Rule 1017. Dismissal or Conversion of Case; Suspension
    19. Rule 1018. Contested Involuntary Petitions; Contested Petitions Commencing Chapter 15 Cases; Proceedings to Vacate Order for Relief; Applicability of Rules in Part VII Governing Adversary Proceedings
    20. Rule 1019. Conversion of a Chapter 11 Reorganization Case, Chapter 12 Family Farmer's Debt Adjustment Case, or Chapter 13 Individual's Debt Adjustment Case to a Chapter 7 Liquidation Case
    21. Rule 1020. Small Business Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    22. Rule 1021. Health Care Business Case
  3. PART II—OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION; NOTICES; MEETINGS; EXAMINATIONS; ELECTIONS; ATTORNEYS AND ACCOUNTANTS
    1. Rule 2001. Appointment of Interim Trustee Before Order for Relief in a Chapter 7 Liquidation Case
    2. Rule 2002. Notices to Creditors, Equity Security Holders, Administrators in Foreign Proceedings, Persons Against Whom Provisional Relief is Sought in Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases, United States, and United States Trustee
    3. Rule 2003. Meeting of Creditors or Equity Security Holders
    4. Rule 2004. Examination
    5. Rule 2005. Apprehension and Removal of Debtor to Compel Attendance for Examination
    6. Rule 2006. Solicitation and Voting of Proxies in Chapter 7 Liquidation Cases
    7. Rule 2007. Review of Appointment of Creditors’ Committee Organized Before Commencement of the Case
    8. Rule 2007.1 Appointment of Trustee or Examiner in a Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    9. Rule 2007.2 Appointment of Patient Care Ombudsman in a Health Care Business Case
    10. Rule 2008. Notice to Trustee of Selection
    11. Rule 2009. Trustees for Estates When Joint Administration Ordered
    12. Rule 2010. Qualification by Trustee; Proceeding on Bond
    13. Rule 2011. Evidence of Debtor in Possession or Qualification of Trustee
    14. Rule 2012. Substitution of Trustee or Successor Trustee; Accounting
    15. Rule 2013. Public Record of Compensation Awarded to Trustees, Examiners, and Professionals
    16. Rule 2014. Employment of Professional Persons
    17. Rule 2015. Duty to Keep Records, Make Reports, and Give Notice of Case or Change of Status
    18. Rule 2015.1 Patient Care Ombudsman
    19. Rule 2015.2 Transfer of Patient in Health Care Business Case
    20. Rule 2015.3 Reports of Financial Information on Entities in Which a Chapter 11 Estate Holds a Controlling or Substantial Interest
    21. Rule 2016. Compensation for Services Rendered and Reimbursement of Expenses
    22. Rule 2017. Examination of Debtor's Transactions with Debtor's Attorney
    23. Rule 2018. Intervention; Right to Be Heard
    24. Rule 2019. Disclosure Regarding Creditors and Equity Security Holders in Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 Cases
    25. Rule 2020. Review of Acts by United States Trustee
  4. PART III—CLAIMS AND DISTRIBUTION TO CREDITORS AND EQUITY INTEREST HOLDERS; PLANS
    1. Rule 3001. Proof of Claim
    2. Rule 3002. Filing Proof of Claim or Interest
    3. Rule 3002.1 Notice Relating to Claims Secured by Security Interest in the Debtor’s Principal Residence
    4. Rule 3003. Filing Proof of Claim or Equity Security Interest in Chapter 9 Municipality or Chapter 11 Reorganization Cases
    5. Rule 3004. Filing of Claims by Debtor or Trustee
    6. Rule 3005. Filing of Claim, Acceptance, or Rejection by Guarantor, Surety, Indorser, or Other Codebtor
    7. Rule 3006. Withdrawal of Claim; Effect on Acceptance or Rejection of Plan
    8. Rule 3007. Objections to Claims
    9. Rule 3008. Reconsideration of Claims
    10. Rule 3009. Declaration and Payment of Dividends in a Chapter 7 Liquidation Case
    11. Rule 3010. Small Dividends and Payments in Chapter 7 Liquidation, Chapter 12 Family Farmer's Debt Adjustment, and Chapter 13 Individual's Debt Adjustment Cases
    12. Rule 3011. Unclaimed Funds in Chapter 7 Liquidation, Chapter 12 Family Farmer's Debt Adjustment, and Chapter 13 Individual's Debt Adjustment Cases
    13. Rule 3012. Determining the Amount of Secured and Priority Claims
    14. Rule 3013. Classification of Claims and Interests
    15. Rule 3014. Election Under §1111(b) by Secured Creditor in Chapter 9 Municipality or Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    16. Rule 3015. Filing, Objection to Confirmation, Effect of Confirmation, and Modification of a Plan in a Chapter 12 or a Chapter 13 Case
    17. Rule 3015.1 Requirements for a Local Form for Plans Filed in a Chapter 13 Case
    18. Rule 3016. Filing of Plan and Disclosure Statement in a Chapter 9 Municipality or Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    19. Rule 3017. Court Consideration of Disclosure Statement in a Chapter 9 Municipality or Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    20. Rule 3017.1 Court Consideration of Disclosure Statement in a Small Business Case
    21. Rule 3017.2 Fixing of Dates by the Court in Subchapter V casis in Which There Is No Disclosure Statement
    22. Rule 3018. Acceptance or Rejection of Plan in a Chapter 9 Municipality or a Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    23. Rule 3019. Modification of Accepted Plan in a Chapter 9 Municipality or a Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    24. Rule 3020. Deposit; Confirmation of Plan in a Chapter 9 Municipality or Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
    25. Rule 3021. Distribution Under Plan
    26. Rule 3022. Final Decree in Chapter 11 Reorganization Case
  5. PART IV—THE DEBTOR: DUTIES AND BENEFITS
    1. Rule 4001. Relief from Automatic Stay; Prohibiting or Conditioning the Use, Sale, or Lease of Property; Use of Cash Collateral; Obtaining Credit; Agreements
    2. Rule 4002. Duties of Debtor
    3. Rule 4003. Exemptions
    4. Rule 4004. Grant or Denial of Discharge
    5. Rule 4005. Burden of Proof in Objecting to Discharge
    6. Rule 4006. Notice of No Discharge
    7. Rule 4007. Determination of Dischargeability of a Debt
    8. Rule 4008. Filing of Reaffirmation Agreement; Statement in Support of Reaffirmation Agreement
  6. PART V—COURTS AND CLERKS
    1. Rule 5001. Courts and Clerks’ Offices
    2. Rule 5002. Restrictions on Approval of Appointments
    3. Rule 5003. Records Kept By the Clerk
    4. Rule 5004. Disqualification
    5. Rule 5005. Filing and Transmittal of Papers
    6. Rule 5006. Certification of Copies of Papers
    7. Rule 5007. Record of Proceedings and Transcripts
    8. Rule 5008. Notice Regarding Presumption of Abuse in Chapter 7 Cases of Individual Debtors
    9. Rule 5009. Closing Chapter 7, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, and Chapter 15 Cases; Order Declaring Lien Satisfied
    10. Rule 5010. Reopening Cases
    11. Rule 5011. Withdrawal and Abstention from Hearing a Proceeding
    12. Rule 5012. Agreements Concerning Coordination of Proceedings in Chapter 15 Cases
  7. PART VI—COLLECTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE ESTATE
    1. Rule 6001. Burden of Proof As to Validity of Postpetition Transfer
    2. Rule 6002. Accounting by Prior Custodian of Property of the Estate
    3. Rule 6003. Interim and Final Relief Immediately Following the Commencement of the Case — Applications for Employment; Motions for Use, Sale, or Lease of Property; and Motions for Assumption or Assignment of Executory Contracts
    4. Rule 6004. Use, Sale, or Lease of Property
    5. Rule 6005. Appraisers and Auctioneers
    6. Rule 6006. Assumption, Rejection or Assignment of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease
    7. Rule 6007. Abandonment or Disposition of Property
    8. Rule 6008. Redemption of Property from Lien or Sale
    9. Rule 6009. Prosecution and Defense of Proceedings by Trustee or Debtor in Possession
    10. Rule 6010. Proceeding to Avoid Indemnifying Lien or Transfer to Surety
    11. Rule 6011. Disposal of Patient Records in Health Care Business Case
  8. PART VII—ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS
    1. Rule 7001. Scope of Rules of Part VII
    2. Rule 7002. References to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
    3. Rule 7003. Commencement of Adversary Proceeding
    4. Rule 7004. Process; Service of Summons, Complaint
    5. Rule 7005. Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers
    6. Rule 7007. Pleadings Allowed
    7. Rule 7007.1 Corporate Ownership Statement
    8. Rule 7008. General Rules of Pleading
    9. Rule 7009. Pleading Special Matters
    10. Rule 7010. Form of Pleadings
    11. Rule 7012. Defenses and Objections—When and How Presented—By Pleading or Motion—Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
    12. Rule 7013. Counterclaim and Cross-Claim
    13. Rule 7014. Third-Party Practice
    14. Rule 7015. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings
    15. Rule 7016. Pre-Trial Procedure; Formulating Issues
    16. Rule 7017. Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity
    17. Rule 7018. Joinder of Claims and Remedies
    18. Rule 7019. Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Determination
    19. Rule 7020. Permissive Joinder of Parties
    20. Rule 7021. Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties
    21. Rule 7022. Interpleader
    22. Rule 7023. Class Proceedings
    23. Rule 7023.1 Derivative Actions
    24. Rule 7023.2 Adversary Proceedings Relating to Unincorporated Associations
    25. Rule 7024. Intervention
    26. Rule 7025. Substitution of Parties
    27. Rule 7026. General Provisions Governing Discovery
    28. Rule 7027. Depositions Before Adversary Proceedings or Pending Appeal
    29. Rule 7028. Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
    30. Rule 7029. Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
    31. Rule 7030. Depositions Upon Oral Examination
    32. Rule 7031. Deposition Upon Written Questions
    33. Rule 7032. Use of Depositions in Adversary Proceedings
    34. Rule 7033. Interrogatories to Parties
    35. Rule 7034. Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes
    36. Rule 7035. Physical and Mental Examination of Persons
    37. Rule 7036. Requests for Admission
    38. Rule 7037. Failure to Make Discovery: Sanctions
    39. Rule 7040. Assignment of Cases for Trial
    40. Rule 7041. Dismissal of Adversary Proceedings
    41. Rule 7042. Consolidation of Adversary Proceedings; Separate Trials
    42. Rule 7052. Findings by the Court
    43. Rule 7054. Judgments; Costs
    44. Rule 7055. Default
    45. Rule 7056. Summary Judgment
    46. Rule 7058. Entering Judgment in Adversary Proceeding
    47. Rule 7062. Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment
    48. Rule 7064. Seizure of Person or Property
    49. Rule 7065. Injunctions
    50. Rule 7067. Deposit in Court
    51. Rule 7068. Offer of Judgment
    52. Rule 7069. Execution
    53. Rule 7070. Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title
    54. Rule 7071. Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties
    55. Rule 7087. Transfer of Adversary Proceeding
  9. PART VIII—APPEALS TO DISTRICT COURT OR BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
    1. Rule 8001. Scope of Part VIII Rules; Definition of ‘‘BAP’’; Method of Transmission
    2. Rule 8002. Time for Filing Notice of Appeal
    3. Rule 8003. Appeal as of Right-How Taken; Docketing the Appeal
    4. Rule 8004. Appeal by Leave-How Taken; Docketing the Appeal
    5. Rule 8005. Election to Have an Appeal Heard by the District Court Instead of the BAP
    6. Rule 8006. Certifying a Direct Appeal to the Court of Appeals
    7. Rule 8007. Stay Pending Appeal; Bonds; Suspension of Proceedings
    8. Rule 8008. Indicative Rulings
    9. Rule 8009. Record on Appeal; Sealed Documents
    10. Rule 8010. Completing and Transmitting the Record
    11. Rule 8011. Filing and Service; Signature
    12. Rule 8012. Disclosure Statement
    13. Rule 8013. Motions; Intervention
    14. Rule 8014. Briefs
    15. Rule 8015. Form and Length of Briefs; Form of Appendices and Other Papers
    16. Rule 8016. Cross-Appeals
    17. Rule 8017. Brief of an Amicus Curiae
    18. Rule 8018. Serving and Filing Briefs; Appendices
    19. Rule 8018.1. District-Court Review of a Judgment that the Bankruptcy Court Lacked the Constitutional Authority to Enter
    20. Rule 8019. Oral Argument
    21. Rule 8020. Frivolous Appeal and Other Misconduct
    22. Rule 8021. Costs
    23. Rule 8022. Motion for Rehearing
    24. Rule 8023. Voluntary Dismissal
    25. Rule 8024. Clerk's Duties on Disposition of the Appeal
    26. Rule 8025. Stay of a District Court or BAP Judgment
    27. Rule 8026. Rules by Circuit Councils and District Courts; Procedure When There is No Controlling Law
    28. Rule 8027. Notice of a Mediation Procedure
    29. Rule 8028. Suspension of Rules in Part VIII
  10. PART IX—GENERAL PROVISIONS
    1. Rule 9001. General Definitions
    2. Rule 9002. Meanings of Words in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure When Applicable to Cases Under the Code
    3. Rule 9003. Prohibition of Ex Parte Contacts
    4. Rule 9004. General Requirements of Form
    5. Rule 9005. Harmless Error
    6. Rule 9005.1 Constitutional Challenge to a Statute—Notice, Certification, and Intervention
    7. Rule 9006. Computing and Extending Time
    8. Rule 9007. General Authority to Regulate Notices
    9. Rule 9008. Service or Notice by Publication
    10. Rule 9009. Forms
    11. Rule 9010. Representation and Appearances; Powers of Attorney
    12. Rule 9011. Signing of Papers; Representations to the Court; Sanctions; Verification and Copies of Papers
    13. Rule 9012. Oaths and Affirmations
    14. Rule 9013. Motions: Form and Service
    15. Rule 9014. Contested Matters
    16. Rule 9015. Jury Trials
    17. Rule 9016. Subpoena
    18. Rule 9017. Evidence
    19. Rule 9018. Secret, Confidential, Scandalous, or Defamatory Matter
    20. Rule 9019. Compromise and Arbitration
    21. Rule 9020. Contempt Proceedings
    22. Rule 9021. Entry of Judgment
    23. Rule 9022. Notice of Judgment or Order
    24. Rule 9023. New Trials; Amendment of Judgments
    25. Rule 9024. Relief from Judgment or Order
    26. Rule 9025. Security: Proceedings Against Security Providers
    27. Rule 9026. Exceptions Unnecessary
    28. Rule 9027. Removal
    29. Rule 9028. Disability of a Judge
    30. Rule 9029. Local Bankruptcy Rules; Procedure When There is No Controlling Law
    31. Rule 9030. Jurisdiction and Venue Unaffected
    32. Rule 9031. Masters Not Authorized
    33. Rule 9032. Effect of Amendment of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
    34. Rule 9033. Review of Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in Non-Core Proceedings
    35. Rule 9034. Transmittal of Pleadings, Motion Papers, Objections, and Other Papers to the United States Trustee
    36. Rule 9035. Applicability of Rules in Judicial Districts in Alabama and North Carolina
    37. Rule 9036. Notice and Service by Electronic Transmission
    38. Rule 9037. Privacy Protection For Filings Made with the Court
    39. Rule 9038.Bankruptcy Rules Emergency
  11. [PART X—UNITED STATES TRUSTEES] (Abrogated Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Aug. 1, 1991)

Historical Note

The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure were adopted by order of the Supreme Court on Apr. 25, 1983, transmitted to Congress by the Chief Justice on the same day, and became effective Aug. 1, 1983.

The Rules have been amended Aug. 30, 1983, Pub. L. 98–91, §2(a), 97 Stat. 607, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; July 10, 1984, Pub. L. 98–353, title III, §321, 98 Stat. 357; Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1989, eff. Aug. 1, 1989; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Aug. 1, 1991; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Aug. 1, 1993; Apr. 29, 1994, eff. Aug. 1, 1994; Oct. 22, 1994, Pub. L. 103–394, title I, §114, 108 Stat. 4118; Apr. 27, 1995, eff. Dec. 1, 1995; Apr. 23, 1996, eff. Dec. 1, 1996; Apr. 11, 1997, eff. Dec. 1, 1997; Apr. 26, 1999, eff. Dec. 1, 1999; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 23, 2001, eff. Dec. 1, 2001; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002; Mar. 27, 2003, eff. Dec. 1, 2003; Apr. 26, 2004, eff. Dec. 1, 2004; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007; Apr. 23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009; Apr. 28, 2010, eff. Dec. 1, 2010; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011; Apr. 16, 2013, eff. Dec. 1, 2013; Apr. 25, 2014, eff. Dec. 1, 2014; Apr. 29, 2015, eff. Dec. 1, 2015; Apr. 28, 2016, eff. Dec 1, 2016; Apr. 25, 2019, eff. Dec. 1, 2019.

Effective Date; Application; Supersedure of Prior Rules; Transmission to Congress

Sections 2 to 4 of the Order of the Supreme Court, dated Apr. 25, 1983, provided:

“2. That the aforementioned Bankruptcy Rules shall take effect on August 1, 1983, and shall be applicable to proceedings then pending, except to the extent that in the opinion of the court their application in a pending proceeding would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former procedure applies.

“3. That the Bankruptcy Rules, heretofore prescribed by this Court, be, and they hereby are, superseded by the new rules, effective August 1, 1983.

“4. That the Chief Justice be, and he hereby is, authorized to transmit these new Bankruptcy Rules to the Congress in accordance with the provisions of Section 2075 of Title 28, United States Code.”