ELECTRONIC SELF-REPRESENTATION (eSR)

BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARATION SYSTEM

FOR CHAPTER 7 AND CHAPTER 13

This system is only for Debtors who are individuals.  Debtors who are

corporations, partnerships, or other similar entities may not use this system.

            Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences and hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.  The Court is not permitted to give legal advice.  Individuals filing for bankruptcy without an attorney are responsible for knowing and following all legal requirements.

            If you are filing bankruptcy to delay or stop a foreclosure proceeding on your home (or for some other emergency purpose), this system may not be the best option for you.  eSR may delay the filing of your case for several days until the Court receives the additional required items (see below) necessary to accomplish your filing.

What is eSR?

            eSR is an online tool that helps individuals complete a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file a bankruptcy case without an attorney.

Who can use eSR?

            Individuals who wish to file a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and who live in the Western District of Virginia can use eSR.    

The Western District of Virginia consists of the following:

the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickson, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Greene, Halifax, Henry, Highland, Lee, Louisa, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and any city or town geographically within the exterior boundaries of these counties.

            eSR is not to be used by attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers.  eSR is not to be used for business or corporate bankruptcy filings.

Why use eSR?

            There is no cost to use eSR.  Depending on which chapter you choose, pay only the chapter 7 filing fee or the chapter 13 filing fee.  The Court’s filing fees can be found here. 

            eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that allows you up to 45 days to complete your package and submit it.

            Your personal information is accessible only to you using a unique login and password assigned to you. 

            eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any computer connected to the internet.

            There is no software to download or purchase.

How do I use eSR?

            Complete a credit counseling briefing from a court-approved credit counseling agency.  Credit counseling must be completed before you file your bankruptcy case. 

            Collect all of your financial documents before you begin.

            Create a user profile, unique login, and password.

            Answer the questions about your property, income, and debts, and then submit.

            Complete and sign the eSR Declaration form and SSN Statement form that are emailed to you upon the Court’s receipt of the eSR package.

            Hand deliver or mail hard copies of the completed and signed Declaration form, completed and signed SSN Statement form, chapter 7 or chapter 13 filing fee OR a completed Application to Pay in Installments OR a completed Application to Waive the Chapter 7 Filing Fee (if applicable), and the original copy of the Certification of Credit Counseling.

            If Official Form 101A (Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You) is part of the bankruptcy petition package, you are required to serve a copy of the form on your landlord when you complete the instructions for filing bankruptcy.

            The automatic stay / injunction is not in effect until a bankruptcy case number is issued by the Court.

            A bankruptcy case is not filed (and does not receive a case number) until all of the above listed documents are received and processed by the Court.  Please note that the confirmation email that your eSR package has been submitted does not constitute the filing of a bankruptcy case.  Documents must still be provided to the Court before filing occurs.

            eSR allows a one-time submission only.  Any schedules or statements not completed at the time the eSR package is submitted cannot be completed later using eSR.  All subsequent pleadings and amendments to pleadings must be filed in paper via mail or hand delivered to the Court at one of the following offices: 

Harrisonburg Division

116 N. Main Street, Room 223
Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Lynchburg Division

1101 Court Street, Room 166
Lynchburg, VA 24504

Roanoke Division

210 Church Avenue, Room 200
Roanoke, VA 24011

            You may get started using eSR by clicking here.    eSR LINK  
 

Additional Steps After eSR Submission

            Debtor Education:  A second education course, called the financial management course, must be completed after the date your chapter 7 case or chapter 13 case is opened, and the certification must be filed with the Court along with the (link to the Official Form B423- Certification About a Financial Management Course).

            Chapter 13 Plan:  In chapter 13 cases, the chapter 13 plan (link to form) is due within 14 days of the date of filing.

eSR Computer Requirements

            Internet Connection

            Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher)

            Pop-up blocker must be disabled

            Printer

            Browser Requirements – it is recommended that you use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.

eSR Help

            For technical assistance, please contact the clerk’s office’s helpdesk at [email protected].  Please note:  the clerk’s office is prohibited from giving legal advice.