CHAPTER 13 DEBTOR’S ATTORNEY

The attorney for the debtor in a Chapter 13 case must abide by all requirements set forth in the Chapter 13 Debtor’s Attorney’s Responsibilities and Fees in Appendix F. Ver. 25.01 (December 1, 2025) 71 RULE 9011-1 SIGNATURES, FEDERAL BAR NUMBER (a) Parties Represented by Counsel. Subject to LBR 9011-4, when a party is represented by counsel, the Clerk will accept for filing only documents signed by a member of the Bar of the United States District Court for Maryland whose appearance is entered on behalf of that party. The attorney must include his or her federal bar number as listed on the Attorney Admission List.

(b) Parties Appearing Without Counsel. When a party is appearing without counsel, the Clerk will accept for filing only documents signed by that party. Attorneys who have prepared any documents that are submitted for filing by a self-represented litigant must be members of the Bar of this Court and must sign the document, state their name, address, telephone number, and federal bar number as listed on the Attorney Admission List. Upon inquiry, all parties appearing without counsel must disclose the identity of any individual who has prepared, or assisted in preparing, any documents filed in this Court.

Any attorney who prepares any document for filing in this Court by a person who is known by the attorney, or who is reasonably expected by the attorney, to be appearing without counsel shall be deemed thereby to have conferred disciplinary jurisdiction upon the Court for any alleged misconduct of that attorney. (c) Required Information. All individuals signing pleadings or papers filed in a case, matter, or proceeding in the Court (whether an attorney or self-represented litigant) must include the signer’s printed name, mailing and business address (if applicable), telephone number, and any email address. Ver.

25.01 (December 1, 2025) 72 RULE 9011-2 SIGNING OF ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED PLEADINGS; REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COURT (a) Responsibility for Use of Login and Password. An attorney or other person whose individual PACER account is linked to the Court’s CM/ECF system, as described in the Court’s Electronic Filing Procedures (Appendix H), is responsible for all documents filed using that PACER login and password. (b) Signature and Certification. The transmission of a petition, pleading, motion, or other paper by electronic means constitutes both a signature by the attorney or other person responsible for transmitting it that is required by Federal Bankruptcy Rule 9011(a) and a certification within the meaning of Federal Bankruptcy Rule 9011(b).

Such transmission also constitutes a representation by the attorney or other person responsible for an electronic transmission to the Court that he or she is in possession of the original petition, pleading, motion, or other paper, with all original signatures thereon other than those papers signed solely by the filing user and co-counsel. (c) Verification of Signatures. (1) The requirement that all petitions, lists, schedules, statements, and amendments thereto must be “verified” in Federal Bankruptcy Rule 1008 is met, and the documents may be electronically filed, if the debtor’s attorney either: (A) obtains the original, physical signature prior to filing; or (B) files the document electronically without possession of the original signature, provided that such electronic filing constitutes a certification by the attorney that the debtor has signed it and that, at the time of filing, the filing attorney is in possession of an image format or other facsimile of the document, including the signature page received from the debtor either electronically (including by email Ver. 25.01 (December 1, 2025) 73 or text) or by facsimile machine.

Any document filed electronically without the original signature in the filing attorney’s possession shall be filed by placing “/s/ Debtor’s Name” where the signature occurs, thereby constituting the attorney’s certification that before filing the attorney transmitted the entire document to the debtor for review and signature, communicated with the debtor regarding the substance and purpose of the document, received the signature page back from the debtor electronically, and received express authorization to file the document. (2) The requirements in the Local Bankruptcy Rules of obtaining, maintaining, or producing an “original signature,” and the requirement of a “signature” in 28 U.S.C. §1746, are met if the attorney complies with this Local Bankruptcy Rule. (3) A petition or Chapter 13 plan verified and filed in accordance with paragraph (1)(A) or (B) of this Local Bankruptcy Rule shall be deemed to be signed by the debtor for purpose of Local Bankruptcy Rules 1002-1(a)(1) and 3015-1(c).