Latest News

Updates to Court Procedures Governing Court Appearances

The judges for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida have announced updated procedures governing court appearances, including remote access by video and telephone, on their respective webpages:

Revised Model Chapter 13 Plan Effective December 4, 2023

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida has announced it will adopt a revised Model Chapter 13 Plan effective December 4, 2023. The Court also entered an amended Administrative Order Prescribing Procedures for Chapter 13 Cases:

The Court has entered Administrative Order FLMB-2023-3, effective in Chapter 13 cases filed on or after December 4, 2023, The Court has also revised the Model Chapter 13 Plan and Order Confirming Plan, effective December 4, 2023. The revisions conform the Administrative Order, the Model Plan, and the Order Confirming Plan to the Middle District’s current Chapter 13 procedures; facilitate more uniform Chapter 13 procedures; and make the procedures more understandable for practitioners, debtors, and creditors.

Download the revised model plan.

Last Minute Zoom 341 Reminders

Our first Zoom 341 Meeting date is this Thursday, October 5th, 2023.

Please sign in at least 10 minutes prior to your meeting time to allow for resolution of any technical difficulties.

Debtors, and when represented, debtors' attorneys are responsible for ensuring debtors can properly attend their § 341 meeting via Zoom.

Telephonic appearances for debtors are not an option absent extenuating circumstances such as incarceration or active military service. Exceptions need to be made in advance and approved by the United States Trustee. Joining using Zoom’s Audio only mode or joining the Zoom with camera off are also not options for debtors and their attorneys.

The United States Trustee Program’s goal for Zoom § 341 Meetings is that they be as close to the pre-pandemic in-person experience as possible.

Attorneys and Debtors are expected to be located in quiet spaces with adequate bandwidth to attend the Zoom video conference.

Debtors may not have anyone with them, around them, or talking with them during 341 meetings apart from a co-debtor, their attorney, or someone from their attorney’s office.

Both Debtors and their attorneys should be dressed appropriately. The United States Trustee has given Chapter 13 Trustees authority and discretion to determine whether someone is ready to appear for the meeting. If the debtor and/or their attorney are driving, in a noisy area, or otherwise appearing from an inappropriate place, the trustee can continue the meeting.

Please remember that if you need an interpreter of any kind, you must notify us at least 7 days prior to your scheduled § 341 Meeting. If you require a sign language interpreter, the United States Trustee’s office must be notified directly. If you fail to make these requests in advance, your meeting will be continued.

Photo ID’s and proof of Social Security Numbers must be uploaded via the Business Record and Tax Document Upload Portal at least 7 days prior to your § 341 Meeting. If we have not received these in time for your § 341 Meeting, your meeting will be continued as the Trustee’s office must be able to compare your photo ID to the person appearing at the § 341 Meeting.


Contact & Payment Information

Contact Us

By mail: Chapter 13 Trustee, Middle District of Florida, PO Box 3450, Winter Park, Florida 32790

By phone: 407.648.8841
Our phone hours are Monday through Thursday from to and to ET and Friday from to ET.

By fax: 407.648.2665

Make a Payment

By mail: Laurie K. Weatherford, Chapter 13 Trustee, PO Box 1103, Memphis, TN 38101-1103

Online: Nationwide TFS Bill Pay.