1002-1

RULE 1002-1 PETITION - GENERAL  [Amended 12/1/19]

(a) Filing. A petition commencing a case under the Bankruptcy Code shall be filed in the office of the Clerk or by electronic means as established by the Court. Filing of the petition or related schedule, statement or list by facsimile transmission is not authorized in this District.

(b) Form. A petition commencing a bankruptcy case shall conform substantially to the applicable Official Forms, and be fully completed by petitioner. All petitions must include the full name(s) and address(es) (including zip codes) of the debtor(s); the firm name, mailing address, telephone and facsimile number, and state bar admission number of the attorney for each debtor.

(c) Creditor List. In all voluntary cases, a creditor list containing the names and addresses, including zip codes, of all known creditors and holders of executory contracts must be filed with the petition, or within seven days thereafter, even if the schedules are not filed with the petition. Failure to file the creditor list at the time of filing will result in the automatic issuance of a seven (7) day Order to file Missing Documents and Notice of Automatic Dismissal for Non-Compliance.

(1) Mailing Format for Conventionally Filed Cases. In accordance with the filing requirements set forth by Fed. R. Bankr. P.1002, 1003, and 1007 and R.I. LBR 1007-1, the debtor shall file with the petition a list of creditors including the name and address of each creditor shown on the debtor's schedules either using the Pro Se Creditor List program located on the Debtor Without an Attorney page of the Court's website or in the format prescribed by the Clerk's Office as specified in the Self Help Manual also located on the Debtor Without an Attorney page of the Court's website. Failure to correctly conform to these requirements will result in the automatic issuance of a seven (7) day Order to file Missing Documents and Notice of Automatic Dismissal for Non-Compliance.

(2) Required Addresses. Except as provided below, the creditor list shall include the names and addresses (including zip codes) of all known creditors and parties in interest. The name and address of: (a) the debtor(s); (b) the debtor(s)' attorney; (c) the United States trustee; and (d) the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, should not be included on the creditor list because information pertaining to them will automatically be added to the list of creditors and/or case by the Court.

(3) Incorrect Address; Returned Mail. It is the responsibility of the debtor to ensure that all addresses set forth on the creditor list are accurate and complete, and that they conform to the addresses set forth on the schedules. If a mailing based on the creditor list is undeliverable by the post office, the mailing will be returned by the post office directly to the debtor's attorney, or debtor, if pro se, and it will be debtor's responsibility to re-mail the document(s). Upon re-mailing, the debtor is also required to file with the Clerk the updated address(es) and a certificate of service of the mailing.

(4) Involuntary Cases. In involuntary cases, the creditor list shall be filed within seven (7) days of the entry of the order for relief. The creditor list shall be prepared and filed by the debtor unless the Court orders otherwise.

(5) Amendments to Creditor List. See R.I. LBR 1009-1(d).

(d) Corporate Petition and Petitions for Non-Individuals.

(1) Corporate Petitions. A petition filed by a corporation shall be signed in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1746 or verified by an authorized officer or authorized agent of the corporation, and shall include a copy of the board of director's resolution or of the minutes of the corporate meeting, or other evidence of the verifying officer's or authorized agent's authority to file the bankruptcy petition on behalf of the corporation.

(2) Petitions for Other Non-Individuals. A petition by a partnership, trust or other non-individual debtor shall be signed and verified by a general partner, or trustee, or appropriate agent, and shall include evidence of the signatory's authority to file the bankruptcy petition.

(3) Legal Representation Required for all Corporations, Partnership, or other non-individuals. A petition filed on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other non-individual which is not represented by counsel at the time of the filing will be treated as defective and the debtor will be required to obtain counsel within seven (7) days of the filing date or the case will be automatically dismissed unless a request for relief under R.I. LBR 1017-2(b) was timely made.

(4) "Doing Business As" or "Formerly Known As". A petition by an individual, corporation or other legal entity that lists as a DBA or FKA a separate corporation or other legal entity will be treated as defective.  The debtor will be required to file a separate case for the DBA or FKA within seven (7) days or the case will be subject to automatic dismissal unless a request for relief under R.I. LBR 1017-2(b) was timely made. A corporation or other legal entity must file a separate petition if it is a separate legal entity from the debtor even if it considers itself the FKA or DBA of an individual, partnership, trust or other corporation, and even if its corporate charter has been revoked pre-petition.