Upcoming Rule, Form, and Fee Changes for December 1, 2026

The following new or amended rules will become effective on December 1, 2026.

1. Rules 1007, 5009, and 9006 are amended to remove the time requirement to file a Financial Management Course certificate. The Clerk's office will send out two reminders in chapter 7 cases, at the 45-day and 90-day mark post-petition. For chapter 13s, a second reminder will go out after the trustee files a final report an account.

2. Rule 2018 now allows the court to treat an in-court statement on the record by a creditor or representative as an acceptance of a plan.

3. Rules 9014 and 9017 are modified to allow a court to have more flexibility to hear remote testimony "for cause and with appropriate safeguards."

4. New Rule 7043 allows courts to have more flexibility in hearing remote testimony in adversary proceedings for good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards."

New Forms effective on December 1, 2026.

1. Official Form 101 is amended to remind debtors and counsel to not list employer EIN numbers on the form in lieu of a Social Security Number.

2. Official Form 106C is modified to provide a total of the specific dollar amount of the exemptions and adds a space on the form for the debtor's total interest in the exempt property.

New Fees effective December 1, 2026.