On February 1, 2025, the Minnesota Bankruptcy Court implemented process changes related to the Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearings and related matters.  The Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank you for your continued support and patience as we transitioned to the new Chapter 13 process.  The adjustments were designed to improve the efficiency and clarity of the Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearing calendaring process, and we greatly appreciate how external stakeholders have navigated these changes.

As we continue to refine this process, the Clerk’s Office would like to share the following Chapter 13 calendaring tips:

• Please do not use the event titled “Request for Continuance in a Chapter 13 Case” if there is a pending unopposed Motion to Dismiss and it is anticipated that the case will be dismissed during the scheduled Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearing date.

• When using the CM/ECF event titled “Request for Continuance in a Chapter 13 Case” select ALL items/docket entries to be continued.  Going forward, the Clerk’s Office will only continue the filings that have been selected.  Failure to select all relevant filings may result in Orders being issued for unselected filings.  If an Order is issued because a filer failed to select all relevant filings for continuance, the filer will need to file a Motion to Vacate the Order and then continue the matter to the next hearing date.
  • If continuing the Chapter 13 confirmation hearing, be sure to select the docket entry for the Chapter 13 Plan.
  • If continuing a motion, select the docket entry associated with the motion (i.e., Motion to Dismiss, Objection to Confirmation, Motion to Confirm).
  • If continuing an objection to confirmation, please select the Objection and the Chapter 13 Plan.

• Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay in Chapter 13 cases are not part of the Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearing calendar process.  Please do not use the event titled, “Request for Continuance in a Chapter 13 Case” to continue a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay in a Chapter 13 case. Please follow the steps below to request a continuance on a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay:
   

  Judge	Process
  Chief Judge Constantine	Request continuance via email at mnb_constantine_hearings@mnb.uscourts.gov
  Judge Ridgway	At least 24 hours before the scheduled hearing, respond to the email message sent by the Judge Ridgway’s courtroom deputy or email a request to mnb_ridgway_hearings@mnb.uscourts.gov
  Judge Fisher	Click on the Rules for Self-Calendaring tab on Judge Fisher’s web page https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-william-j-fisher and follow the instructions for  selecting pre-set hearing dates in CM/ECF.

• As a reminder, effective April 1, 2025, Judge Fisher’s Chapter 13 email box address will change to:  WJF_Chapter13@mnb.uscourts.gov

• As a reminder, beginning April 24, 2025, Judge Fisher will hold Chapter 13 Confirmations Hearings one day per month. Judge Fisher will no longer have a separate calendar for 5^th Division (Duluth) matters.

The Minnesota Bankruptcy Court remains committed to ensuring that the Chapter 13 process serves the needs of all involved and will continue to provide updates, as necessary.  Any questions should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at 612-664-5200 or by sending an email to:  helpdesk@mnb.uscourts.gov

Additional information about the Chapter 13 Process changes can be found here: https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov/news/chapter-13-hearing-process-changes-effective-february-1-2025.