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Proof of Claim Instructions

Official Form 410

Instructions for Proof of Claim


United States Bankruptcy Court                                                                                                                                                                                                         12/15

These instructions and definitions generally explain the law. In certain circumstances, such as bankruptcy cases that debtors do not file voluntarily, exceptions to these general rules may apply. You should consider obtaining the advice of an attorney, especially if you are unfamiliar with the bankruptcy process and privacy regulations.

 

 

A person who files a fraudulent claim could be fined up  to $500,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both.  18 U.S.C. §§ 152, 157 and 3571.

 

 

How to fill out this form

  • Fill in all of the information about the claim as of the date the case was filed.
  • Fill in the caption at the top of the form.
  • If the claim has been acquired from someone else, then state the identity of the last party who owned the claim or was the holder of the claim and who transferred it to you before the initial claim was filed.
  • Attach any supporting documents to this form. Attach redacted copies of any documents that show that the debt exists, a lien secures the debt, or both. (See the definition of redaction on the next page.)

Also attach redacted copies of any documents that show perfection of any security interest or any assignments or transfers of the debt. In addition to the documents, a summary may be added. Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure  (called “Bankruptcy Rule”) 3001(c) and (d). 

  • Do not attach original documents because attachments may be destroyed after scanning.
  • If the claim is based on delivering health care goods or services, do not disclose confidential health care information. Leave out or redact confidential information both in the claim and in the attached documents. 
  • A Proof of Claim form and any attached documents must show only the last 4 digits of any social security number, individual’s tax identification number, or financial account number, and only the year of any person’s date of birth. See Bankruptcy Rule 9037.
  • For a minor child, fill in only the child’s initials and the full name and address of the child’s parent or guardian. For example, write A.B., a minor child (John Doe, parent, 123 Main St., City, State). See Bankruptcy Rule 9037.

Confirmation that the claim has been filed

To receive confirmation that the claim has been filed, either enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope and a copy of this form or go to the court’s PACER system (www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov) to view the filed form.

Understand the terms used in this form

Administrative expense: Generally, an expense that arises after a bankruptcy case is filed in connection with operating, liquidating, or distributing the bankruptcy estate.  11 U.S.C. § 503.

Claim: A creditor’s right to receive payment for a debt that the debtor owed on the date the debtor filed for bankruptcy. 11 U.S.C. §101 (5). A claim may be secured or unsecured.

                 

 

Creditor: A person, corporation, or other entity to whom a debtor owes a debt that was incurred on or before the date the debtor filed for bankruptcy. 11 U.S.C. §101 (10).

Debtor: A person, corporation, or other entity who is in bankruptcy. Use the debtor’s name and case number as shown in the bankruptcy notice you received. 11 U.S.C. § 101 (13).

Evidence of perfection: Evidence of perfection of a security interest may include documents showing that a security interest has been filed or recorded, such as a mortgage, lien, certificate of title, or financing statement. 

Information that is entitled to privacy: A Proof of Claim form and any attached documents must show only the last 4 digits of any social security number, an individual’s tax identification number, or a financial account number, only the initials of a minor’s name, and only the year of any person’s date of birth. If a claim is based on delivering health care goods or services, limit the disclosure of the goods or services to avoid embarrassment or disclosure of confidential health care information. You may later be required to give more information if the trustee or someone else in interest objects to the claim.

Priority claim: A claim within a category of unsecured claims that is entitled to priority under 11 U.S.C. §507(a). These claims are paid from the available money or property in a bankruptcy case before other unsecured claims are paid. Common priority unsecured claims include alimony, child support, taxes, and certain unpaid wages.

Proof of claim: A form that shows the amount of debt the debtor owed to a creditor on the date of the bankruptcy filing. The form must be filed in the district where the case is pending.

Redaction of information: Masking, editing out, or deleting certain information to protect privacy. Filers must redact or leave out information entitled to privacy on the Proof of Claim form and any attached documents. 

Do not file these instructions with your form.

 

Secured  claim under 11 U.S.C. §506(a): A claim backed by a lien on particular property of the debtor. A claim is secured to the extent that a creditor has the right to be paid from the property before other creditors are paid. The amount of a secured claim usually cannot be more than the value of the particular property on which the creditor has a lien. Any amount owed to a creditor that is more than the value of the property normally may be an unsecured claim. But exceptions exist; for example, see 11 U.S.C. § 1322(b) and the final sentence of 1325(a). 

Examples of liens on property include a mortgage on real estate or a security interest in a car. A lien may be voluntarily granted by a debtor or may be obtained through a court proceeding. In some states, a court judgment may be a lien. 

Setoff: Occurs when a creditor pays itself with money belonging to the debtor that it is holding, or by canceling a debt it owes to the debtor. 

Uniform claim identifier: An optional 24-character identifier that some creditors use to facilitate electronic payment.

Unsecured claim: A claim that does not meet the requirements of a secured claim. A claim may be unsecured in part to the extent that the amount of the claim is more than the value of the property on which a creditor has a lien.

Offers to purchase a claim

Certain entities purchase claims for an amount that is less than the face value of the claims. These entities may contact creditors offering to purchase their claims. Some written communications from these entities may easily be confused with official court documentation or communications from the debtor. These entities do not represent the bankruptcy court, the bankruptcy trustee, or the debtor. A creditor has no obligation to sell its claim. However, if a creditor decides to sell its claim, any transfer of that claim is subject to

Bankruptcy Rule 3001(e), any provisions of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.) that apply, and any orders of the bankruptcy court that apply.