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File a Chapter 15

Updated 8/15/2022

Overview

  • The purpose of Chapter 15 is to provide effective mechanisms for dealing with insolvency cases involving debtors, assets, claimants, and other parties of interest involving more than one country. Generally, a chapter 15 case is ancillary to a primary proceeding brought in another country, typically the debtor's home country.  Under chapter 15, a U.S. court may authorize a trustee or other entity to act in a foreign country on behalf of a U.S. bankruptcy estate.  An ancillary case is commenced by a "foreign representative" filing a petition for recognition of a "foreign proceeding." 
  • After notice and a hearing, the court is authorized to issue an order recognizing the foreign proceeding as either a "foreign main proceeding" (a proceeding pending in a country where the debtor's center of main interests are located) or a "foreign non-main proceeding" (a proceeding pending in a country where the debtor has an establishment, but not its center of main interests).
  • Use Official Form 401 Chapter 15 Petition for Recognition of Foreign Proceeding
  • The petition must be accompanied by documents showing the existence of the foreign proceeding and the appointment and authority of the foreign representative.
  • Fee: $1738.00

Step-by-Step Instructions

Case Opening Screen

  • Select Bankruptcy.
  • Select Open Voluntary BK Case.
  • Chapter - Select 15.
  • Joint Petition - Defaults to n.  Change to y if this is a joint filing.
  • Deficiencies - Defaults to n.  Change to y if missing documents.
  • Main/Nonmain - Select one: 
    • Foreign main proceeding
    • Foreign nonmain proceeding
    • Foreign main proceeding, or in the alternative, foreign nonmain proceeding.
  • When done, click Next to continue.

Search for a Debtor Screen

  • Search for an existing debtor record by entering debtor's SSN or Tax ID.  Click Search.
  • If no match is found, No person found displays.  Click Create new party.
  • If a possible match is found, parties with the same SSN/Tax ID display. 
  • Click a name and the debtor's information displays in a pop up window.
  • If the displayed information is an exact match, click Select name from list.
  • If not an exact match, click Create new party.

Debtor Information Screen

Enter all debtor information exactly as it appears on the petition.

  • Last name, First name, Middle name - Enter exactly as they appear on the petition. Do not use all caps.
  • Generation (Jr., III, etc.) - Enter, if any.
  • SSN / ITIN - If individual, enter SSN or ITIN. 
  • Tax ID / EIN - If business, enter Tax ID in format of XX-XXXXXXX.
  • Address 1, Address 2, Address 3 - Enter debtor's mailing address.
  • City, State, Zip - Enter debtor's current mailing address. 
  • County - Select OUTSIDE U.S. (99999).
  • Country - Enter country name in all capitals.
  • Phone, Fax and E-mail - Leave blank.
  • Party Text - Leave blank.
  • Alias - Add, if any. 
  • Corporate parent/affiliate - Add, if any.
  • Click Review… and verify entered information is correct.  Click Return to Party Screen.
  • When done, click Submit to continue.
  • If a joint filing, the Search for a joint debtor screen displays.
    • Repeat to add joint debtor. 
    • Copy previous party's address is checked by default.  Uncheck if address differs and add joint debtor's address.
    • Click Submit to continue.

Divisional Office Screen

  • Click Next to continue.

Statistical Data Screen

  • Fee status -  Paid.
  • Type of debtor - Select Individual, Corporation, Partnership or Other.

Deficiencies Screen

  • This screen displays if deficiencies were noted on the first screen.
  • Check the items NOT included in this filing.
  • Click Next to continue.

PDF Upload Screen

  • Click Browse/Choose File and upload PDF of petition and other required documents.
  • Click Next to continue.

Incomplete Filings Screen

  • This screen displays if deficiencies were noted on the first screen.  
  • The due date defaults to 14 days from date of filing.
  • Click Next to continue.

Filing Fee Screen

  • If paying in full, leave the default amount of $1738.
  • If paying in installments, do NOT make a payment now.  Change the amount to $0.0. 
  • Click Next.  

Final Docket Entry Screen

  • Carefully review the final docket entry.
  • If incorrect, use your browser back button to the applicable screen to make corrections.
  • If correct, click Next to file your case.
  • If fees are due, a Summary of current charges displays in a separate window.  Click Pay Now or Continue Filing.  

Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing

Next Steps