Chapter 13 Management

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Log the Attorney Fee into CD 

• Case Tab
• Enter the same fee amount entered into the Disclosure of Attorney Compensation
• The Post-Filing amount should be the same amount listed in the plan

Log All Important Communication

• Save email, text or summary of phone call on the Notes Tab
• You don't need to save messages where you are simply communicating  socially
• The key to determine whether to save the message is whether you can predict you will need to prove the communication was made. 
• Remember to enter Miscellaneous notes for the attorney's benefit if the case is taking on unique aspects that need to be remembered
• Log every failed attempt to communicate with uncooperative clients

1.  Follow Filing Instructions on Court Tab

• If instructions are not listed ask your manager

2.  Use the Trustee/Judge assignment if allowed by jurisdiction

3.  Enter CaseDriver data immediately after filing:

• Enter case number
• Choose Court
• Enter Date Filed
• Change Status to Pre 341
• Save Changes 

3.  At the time of filing or following day:

• Select Trustee
• Select Judge 
• Confirm CD captured the 341 correctly
• Ch 13: Confirm CD captured the Confirmation Hearing

4.  Upload BCB from Bestcase to DB using the Bestcase "Send to Disk" function

5.  If this is a full case filing, mark the filing as Earned in your CM revenue

• Make this entry on emergency filed case after filing the full case

6.  Send Client Email from templates

• Use templates on Client tab
• Enter the missing data marked by asterisks
• Complete the email body and correct any document requests
• Enter  the attorney signature with your name
• Copy and paste email to Notes Tab

1.  Save the Documents you send to the Trustee in DB in the Docs for Trustee folder

• Name them with the case number first:  "21-12345 - 60 Days Pay Advices"

2.  Log EVERY document you send  to the Trustee on the Trustee Docs Tab

• Save the DB link in the Trustee Docs Tab
• Enter notes about any document that is not self explanatory

3.  Check the 341 Minimum Boxes on the Case Tab as you satisfy each category

• Remember CD will email you if these boxes are not checked 

4.  You can find the link to send docs to the trustee on the Trustee Tab

• The passwords are usually found on the Attorney Tab

1.   Enter the Plan Payment Schedule on the Plan Tab by clicking on Payment Schedule on the left

• Enter number of the month for each payment and click "Add"
• For step payments, enter subsequent lines.
• CD will calculate the total of the payments

2.  Attorney Fees and Deadlines

• Find this on the Plan Tab on the left
• If you've entered the Pre and Post filing atty fee amounts on the Case Tab, that data will appear here
• Track the claims deadlines as you plan the preparation of amended plans and timing

3.  Payments & Disbursements

• As you prepare for confirmation hearings and communicate with the attorney use the record of Debtor payments to confirm if the client is current on trustee payments
• If you don't see payments or you suspect data is missing notify your manager - CD is programmed to capture this data each time an attorney logs into CD.  If the attorney has not logged in for some time, the data may be outdated.
• Remember there is not data in this function for cases filed in the Northern District of Illinois - for these cases you will need to file into NDC.org manually

1.   CD is programmed to capture all Claims onto the Claims Tab and log the following:

• PDF link 
• Extract debt types
• Claim amounts
• Class of claim
• Arrears ab.

2.   You are responsible to monitor this Tab as you respond to objections and prepare for confirmation

• Look for missing AND amended claims - they are logged by Date and then Claim number, so you may see the claims numbers out of sequence - but look for missing numbers in the chronology
• You may use PACER to look at the Claims Register if you suspect data is missing.  
• Save the PDF into the Petition and Pleadings Folder in DB for the client - link the PDF and enter the claim manually - remember to create the DB link and paste it inot the File Cloud PDF Link field
• Notify your manager if you see a claim missing
• Remember CD may not catch every amended claim depending on filing method used by the creditor

3.  Give the claims list to the client

• Print the Claims list using the Create PDF Report function on the Claims Tab 
• Send the PDF to the client after the non-governmental claims deadline
• Simply indicate you are sending the claims list for their convenience
• Copy the Attorney
• Copy and Paste the email onto the Notes Tab

1.  Save the Telephonic instructions in CD in the notes for the meeting

• Go to the Hearings Tab and use the pencil to edit the meeting entry to enter the call information into the Notes field

2.  CONFIRM CaseDriver captured the meeting date and time appropriately.  

• The ECF email may not have provided the data and you must always confirm it is correct
• Delete duplicates on the Hearings Tab

2.  Use the Email template available on the Client Tab to announce the meeting as quickly as you get the date and time after filing

• Copy the attorney on the email
• Copy and paste the email onto the Notes Tab

3.   Send email to Attorney no less than 10 DAYS before the meeting announcing all is prepared

• From the Trustee Docs tab, print the list to a PDF using the "Create PDF Report" link and attach in the email
• Save the file in DB in the Docs for Trustee folder 
• Copy and paste the teleconference instructions in the email

4.  If you feel the client needs the reminder, you can create a task on the Tasks Tab and select to have it sent as an SMS to the client on a particular day close the meeting date. 

• Remember these automated SMS alerts are sent at 11:30 EST on the day you select

Second Course Reminder

• Use the email template on the Client tab
• To confirm which of your clients have taken the second course, filter your Case search using the criteria  
• Remember if they use the link provided by CD the cert will be filed automatically.  Encourage their use of the link to save you from having to file the cert

Reaffirmations

• Use the Closure Tab to monitor the Reaffirmations due in the case
• Contact creditors to solicit the reaffirmations so you can complete the forms and return them to the creditor for filing
• Monitor the filing made by the creditor
• Remember the deadline to file is 45 days from the date of the 341

Trustee Directives

• Until the 341 is closed, your fee has not been earned for the 341 tasks
• Gather and move documents and communicate with the trustee to avoid subsequent placeholder meetings

341 Attorney Notes

• Follow up with the attorney the day of the 341 meeting to get the summary
• Enter each issue identified onto the Objections Tab as individual events - identify the Trustee as the party objecting and use the 341 date as the date of the objection

Filed Trustee and Creditor Objections

• CD should capture every Objection to Confirmation filed to the Docket and parse out each objection and list them on the Objections Tab
• Use your Red Flag alerts to become aware of objections filed and make sure they are individually entered on the Objections Tab - after entry onto the Objections Tab, you can mark the Red Flag as Managed
• If CD does not capture the filed objections, enter them manually from the PDF you find on the Docket Tab

Amended Plans

• Prep and file amended plans more than 24 days before the schedule Confirmation Hearing
• Follow local rules to file other declarations, appropriate notice and status reports

Trustee Communication

• Communicate, communicate, communicate with the attorney assigned to the case in the trustee office
• Your goal is to confirm quickly and get paid quickly
• Copy and paste every email to the Notes Tab and copy the Attorney on the emails as well

Attorney Communication

• At least 3 days before the confirmation hearing, send the Attorney a summary of what to expect.  Print the Objections to PDF using the Create PDF Report function and attach to the email.  
• Be sure to log notes and resolution dates on each Objection before sending to the attorney