Creditor Matrix
A creditor matrix contains each creditor's name and
mailing address. This information is used for noticing and also for
claims information when applicable.
In order to ensure that the cases you file can be properly read by
our scanners, we ask that you observe the following guidelines.
Paper Format
- Lists must be typed in one of the following standard typefaces or
print styles:
- Courier
Note: Other typefaces may be compatible with our system but
Courier is the only typeface that has been tested.
- Lists should be typed on a single page in a single column rather than
in three columns (see examples below).
- The name and address of each creditor cannot be more than 5
lines. If a record is more that 5 lines, the 6th line will be
combined with line 5 and the 7th or 8th lines will be truncated.
- Each line may contain no more than 40 characters including blanks.
- Names and addresses should be left justified.
- Spaces in the first position of a line will cause an exception report
for that creditor record.
- Special characters such as ~, ½, or ^ will cause
problems. The # and & characters have not been reported to
cause errors.
- Account numbers or "attention" lines should be placed on the
second line of the name/address. If an account number is included, use only the last 4 digits of the number.
- City, state, and ZIP code must be on the last line.
- Nine digit ZIP codes must be typed with a hyphen separating the two
groups of digits.
- All states must be two-letter abbreviations.
- Each creditor must be separated by at least one blank line.
- Do not include page numbers, headers, footers, etc.
- Lists must be typed so that no letters are closer than 1/2 inch from
any edge of the paper.
- DO NOT include the following people (who
were formerly required on creditor matrixes). They will be retrieved automatically by the
computer for noticing.
- Debtor
- Joint Debtor
- Attorney for the Debtor(s)
Creditor Matrix on Disk
-
Submit on a CD.
-
Use same format as above.
- Save the file using debtor's name.txt (e.g., Smith.txt).
- If your CD is unreadable by the Court, it will be returned and a deficiency
notice will be issued.
Things to Avoid
Although the court is using sophisticated equipment and software to
ensure accuracy in creditor list readings, certain problems can still occur. By following
these guidelines, the court will avoid delays or additional effort in mailing notices.
The following problems can prevent your lists from being read by the optical
scanner, requiring you to resubmit your creditor list in an acceptable form.
-
Extra marks on the list
- such as letterhead, dates, debtor name, coffee stains, handwritten marks.
-
Non-standard paper
such as onion skin, half-sized paper, or colored (such as yellow) paper.
-
Poor quality type
caused by submitting a photocopy or carbon, using an exhausted typewriter, or using a
typewriter with a fabric ribbon.
-
Unreadable type faces
or print styles such as proportionally-spaced fonts, dot-matrix printing, or exotic fonts
(such as Old English or script). Use only Courier 10.
-
Misaligned lists
caused by removing the paper from the typewriter before completing the list, or inserting
the paper into the typewriter crooked.
-
Incorrect typewriter
settings
will cause unreadable lists. Make certain that your typewriter is set for 10 pitch if you
are using a 10 pitch type style.
-
Stray marks should
be avoided. Do not type lines, debtor name, page numbers, or anything else on the front of
a creditor list. Any identifying marks you choose to add can be typed on the back of the
list.
-
Upper case only
(all capital letters) should be avoided. Type in upper and lower case as you would on a
letter.
-
Zip Code must be on the last line.
Nine digit zip codes should be typed with a hyphen separating the two groups of digits. Do
NOT type attention lines or account numbers on the last line; put these on the second line
of the name/address if needed. (The zip code must be at the end for the zip code sorting
equipment to find it.)
-
Fabric ribbons should be avoided.
They produce letters which are too fuzzy to be properly scanned.
Example Creditor List: Courier
U.S. Attorney
660 W. Washington Ave, Ste
P.O. Box 1585
Madison, WI 53701-1585
Internal Revenue Service
Insolvency ME-128
310 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202-2221
First City National Bank of Beaumont
P.O. Box 3391
Beaumont, TX 77704
Flex Northwest
Seattle, WA 98372
General Welding Supply Co.
Acct. No: 876 543 219
P.O. Box 3657
Baltimore, MD 20984
George S. Bush Export, Inc.
Attn: Larry Jones
1400 Exchange Building
Buffalo, NY 10984
Peterboro Food and Beverage
405 Landover Road, Suite 12B
Landover, MD 20009