Bankruptcy Self Help Resource Center Opens on August 7, 2020

On Friday, August 7, 2020, The Pro Bono Project, in partnership with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court - EDLA, will launch the Bankruptcy Self-Help Resource Center, a service of whereby self-represented bankruptcy filers can find helpful information and services about their bankruptcy cases. On the first Friday of each month from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, volunteers will be available via a telephone hotline (504.581.4043) and email to assist self-represented litigants with the completion of bankruptcy petitions and schedules, to help guide filers through the court’s new Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system, and to provide referrals for attorneys or other legal resources.

“We are building upon the successful model of self-help resource centers at the state court level and applying what we learned there to federal bankruptcy court. Pre-pandemic, The Project witnessed many self-represented litigants struggle to navigate their way through consumer debt and bankruptcy issues. The pandemic’s economic consequences only will increase the need by the public for clear and concise information on how to tackle their financial struggles. We are thrilled to work with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Judges and Clerk of Court along with the bankruptcy bar to provide the public greater understanding of the bankruptcy process,” remarks The Pro Bono Project’s Executive Director, C.C. Kahr.

Volunteers do not provide legal advice or representation, but assist visitors with legal forms, information, and referrals. This service is made possible through a generous grant of the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering for this service, please contact Managing Attorney Jesse George. We ask that volunteers have some familiarity with bankruptcy law.