OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS

(a) Objections. (1) An objection to claim is a “contested matter” under FRBP 9014. Except to the extent otherwise provided in this rule, an objection to claim must comply with LBR 9013-1 unless the objection is to become an adversary proceeding pursuant to FRBP 3007(b). (2) A claim objection must include the number, if any, assigned to the disputed claim on the court’s claims register.

(3) A separate objection must be filed to each proof of claim unless: (A) The objection pertains to multiple claims filed by the same creditor; 43 LBR 3007-1 (B) The objection is an omnibus claim objection; or (C) The court orders otherwise. (4) An omnibus claim objection asserts the same type of objection to claims filed by different creditors (e.g., claims improperly filed as priority claims, duplicate claims, claims filed after the bar date, etc., as described in FRBP 3007(d . In addition to the requirements set forth in FRBP 3007(e), an omnibus claim objection must: (A) Identify the name of each claimant and the claim number in the caption of the objection; and (B) Include as exhibits the documents supporting each claim objection organized and indexed by claim number. (5) If more than 20 objections in a case are noticed for hearing on a single calendar, the objector must comply with the supplemental procedures contained in The Central Guide.

(b) Notice and Hearing. (1) A claim objection must be set for hearing on notice of not less than 30 days. (2) The claim objection must be served on the claimant at the address disclosed by the claimant in its proof of claim and at such other addresses and upon such parties as may be required by FRBP 7004 and other applicable rules. (3) Notice of the objection on or conforming to court-mandated form F 3007- 1.1.NOTICE.OBJ.CLAIM, Notice of Objection to Claim, must be served with the claim objection.

The notice must advise the claimant of the date, time, and place of hearing, and state: (A) A response must be filed and served not later than 14 days prior to the date of hearing set forth in the notice; and (B) If a response is not timely filed and served, the court may grant the relief requested in the objection without further notice or hearing. (4) The court will conduct a hearing on a claim objection to which there is a timely response. (5) If the claimant timely files and serves a response, the court, in its discretion, may treat the initial hearing as a status conference if it determines that the claim objection involves disputed fact issues or will require substantial time for presentation of evidence or argument. 44 LBR 3007-1 (6) If the claimant does not timely file and serve a response, the court may sustain the objection without a hearing.

(A) The objector must file a declaration attesting that no response was timely filed and served upon the objector. The declaration must identify the docket number and filing date of the objection to claim, notice, and proof of service of the notice and objection to claim, and be served on the claimant. (B) The objector must also lodge a proposed order prepared and served in accordance with LBR 9021-1 and The Central Guide. (C) The objecting party must serve the entered order on the claimant and counsel, if any.

(c) Evidence Required. (1) An objection to claim must be supported by admissible evidence sufficient to overcome the evidentiary effect of a properly documented proof of claim executed and filed in accordance with FRBP 3001. The evidence must demonstrate that the proof of claim should be disallowed, reduced, subordinated, re-classified, or otherwise modified. (2) A copy of the complete proof of claim, including attachments or exhibits, must be attached to the objection to claim, together with the objector’s declaration stating that the copy of the claim attached is a true and complete copy of the proof of claim on file with the court, or, if applicable, of the informal claim to which objection is made.

(3) If the complete proof of claim is not readily available from the court file, the objector may formally request a copy from the holder of the claim by serving the creditor with a notice in substantially the same form as court-approved form F 3007-1.2.NOTICE.REQ.CLAIM, Notice of Trustee’s/Debtor’s Request for a Copy of Proof of Claim. (A) The request must advise the holder of the claim that failure to supply a complete copy of the proof of claim, including all attached documentation, within 30 days of the notice may constitute grounds for objection to the claim based on the claimant’s failure to provide requested documentation to support the claim. (B) If an objection is filed on this basis, it must be accompanied by a declaration providing evidence that the proof of claim was not readily available from the court file or otherwise. (4) If the basis for the objection is that the proof of claim was filed after the bar date, the objection must include a copy of each of the following: (A) The bar date order, if any; 45 LBR 3014-1 (B) The notice of bar date; and (C) Proof of service of the notice of bar date.

(5) If the basis for the objection is that there are duplicate proofs of claim, the objection must include a complete copy of each proof of claim.