NOTE:  When entering the necessary information in the Party Information screen, DO NOT USE ALL Capital Letter or Punctuation

Opening an Adversary proceeding involves entering the necessary information regarding the plaintiff, defendant and basic statistical data.  The complaint is incorporated into this process and will not need to be docketed seperately. 

If an Adversary is being filed in a closed Bankruptcy Case, the Bankruptcy Case will need to be re-opened. 
 

STEP 1   Click on Adversary on the CM/ECF main menu or place the mouse on Adversary to receive the cascading menu selections. 

STEP 2   Select Adversary - File a New Complaint

STEP 3   The Open Adversary Proceeding screen displays

                 The Case Type is ap for adversary proceeding.  There is no other selection.  The current date is displayed next to Date Filed.  This date cannot be changed.  The Complaint field signifies the lead event for this proceeding.  This will remain at "Y", click [Next]

STEP 4   The Search for a Plaintiff screen displays.

                 Enter the last name in the Last/Business name or First Name and Middle Name in the appropriated field and click [search] to continue.

STEP 5   The Search Results Screen displays

Note:  If there are no matches, the system will return a No Person Found message, click on [Create new Party]

If the designated party was already in the database, the Party Search Results screen would provide a list of parties matching the search criteria.  Clicking with the mouse on each of the names will display a window showing the party's address information for verification.  If the correct name and address are found, Click on [Select name from list].

STEP 6   The Plaintiff Information Screen displays

Enter Plaintiff's Name, Address, Tax ID or SSN information in the appropriate boxes.  Follow the courts conventions for address information.

The attorney will be added by court staff.

The Party Text field is used  for further party description, such as A California Corporation or Trustee for the Estate of....This information will appear on the caption of the docket report immediately after the party's name.

Role in Bankruptcy Case, Click on the down arrow and make the appropriate selection, Click [Submit]

If there are Multiple Plaintiffs, repeat the above steps, when all plaintiffs have been entered Click, End Plaintiff Selection.

STEP 7   The Search for a Defendant Screen displays

Enter the last name in the Last/Business name or First Name and Middle Name in the appropriated filed and click [search] to continue.

STEP 8   The Search Results Screen displays

Note:  If there are no matches, the system will return a No Person Found message, click on [Create new Party]

If the designated party was already in the database, the Party Search Results screen would provide a list of parties matching the search criteria.  Clicking with the mouse on each of the names will display a window showing the party's address information for verification.  If the correct name and address are found, Click on [Select name from list].

STEP 9   The Defendant Information Screen displays

Enter Defendant's Name, Address, Tax ID or SSN information in the appropriate boxes.  Follow the courts conventions for address information.

The attorney will be added by court staff.

The Party Text field is used for further party description, such as A California Corporation or Trustee for the Estate of....This information will appear on the caption of the docket report immediately after the party's name.

Role in Bankruptcy Case, Click on the down arrow and make the appropriate selection, Click [Submit]

If there are Multiple Defendants, repeat the above steps, when all Defendants have been entered Click, End Defendant Selection.

 STEP 10   The Lead Case/Association Type Screen displays

Enter the Lead Bankruptcy Case Number (YY-NNNNN)format.  Click on Find This Case or Click [Next]. The Association type defaults to Adversary.  Do not change default, Click [Next]

If you do not enter any number in the Lead Case Number field a warning message will display.  The system will continue to proceed with case opening.

STEP 11   Open Adversary Proceeding screen displays.

The divisional office and the Judge for the adversary proceeding will be the same as the lead Bankruptcy Case.  Click [Next]

Step 12    At the party code  box make the appropriate selection by clicking on the down arrow.  A drop down box will display by clicking in the box for the Primary Nature of the Suit.  If there is a Secondary Nature of the Suit, click in the drop down box , make the appropriate selection.

Note: If the nature of the suit is a 727 Objection to Discharge, it is important to enter 41 (Obj/Revocation of Discharge 727).

Rule 23 (Class Action) box can be changed to "Y" only if this applied to this proceeding.  Jury Demand defaults to None, click on the down arrow to make a different selection.

At the Dollar Demand box enter the amount of the demand (e.g. $4550, $5,000 or $5499, enter 5 for $5000, leaving off the 000.

State Law, select yes or no

Click [Next]

STEP 13   The PDF Document Selection Screen displays

Refer to instructions on  Attaching the pdf file

Click [Next]

STEP 14     The Filing Fee Information Screen displays

Read the screen and enter any required information in the Receipt Box)

Click [Next]

STEP 15 The Final Docket Text Screen displays

Click [Next]

STEP 16   The Electronic Payment Screen displays

By selecting Pay Now, the Internet Payments Due  Screen displays, Check Fees to Pay, Click [Next], Click on Pay Now, the Online Payment screen displays. Complete all fields that have a red (*) and click Continue with Plastic Card Payment. The Authorize Payment screen displays.  If you would like a receipt of your payment, enter your E-mail address.  Click in the Authorization Box.

Submit Payment. If the Authorization Box is not checked the screen will again display.  Your Request is being processed screen displays.  A Transaction Number will display.  

Note: If you have any outstanding fees, the Payment Screen will display with a Fee Summary each time you file a document.  This will continue until all fees are paid.   

STEP 17 The Notice of Electronic Filing screen displays.