THIS ONLINE TOOL IS FOR SELF-REPRESENTED DEBTORS ONLY!

Important Warnings!

If you are filing bankruptcy to delay or stop a foreclosure proceeding on your home (or for some other emergency purpose), this system may not be the best option for you. eSR may delay the filing of your case for several days until the court receives the additional required items necessary to complete your filing.

Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences, and hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended. Individuals filing for bankruptcy without an attorney are responsible for knowing and following all of the legal requirements.

Please contact the Bankruptcy Clerk’s office for information on Emergency Filings and the required forms to be submitted on paper (901) 328-3505 – Memphis                   (731) 421-9300 – Jackson

Employees of the Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office are NOT attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.

What is eSR?

• eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney. This is known as filing “pro se”, and results in a situation wherein the debtor(s) effectively represents themselves and are reliant upon their own abilities to file and complete their case. Should the debtor(s) elect to seek the services of an attorney after filing their pro se case, they are no longer considered to be pro se upon securing counsel who files with the court the necessary documents that make clear they represent the debtor(s) moving forward.

Learn more-

• eSR Pamphlet
• eSR Flow Chart

Who can use eSR?

• Individuals who wish to file a bankruptcy petition and who live in the Western District of Tennessee can use eSR.
• Important note: eSR is not available to attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers. eSR is not designed for business or corporate bankruptcy filings.

Why use eSR?

• eSR is accessible 24 hours per day from any Internet enabled computer or tablet. No software to download or purchase.
• There is no cost to use eSR. Pay only the required filing fee or tender the required application to address payment in installments (Ch. 7 & Ch. 13) or waiver of the required fee (Ch. 7 only).
• eSR has a guided step by step process that allows you up to 45 days to complete.Your personal information is only accessible to you using a unique login and password assigned to you.

How do I use eSR?

• Obtain credit counseling from a court approved credit counseling agency. The law requires credit counseling before filing bankruptcy.
• Collect all of your financial documents before you begin. This should include all info for debts, property and income for debtor(s).
• You may now get started using eSR for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 click here
• Create a user profile, unique login and password.
• Answer questions about your property, income and debts.
• Submit your petition to the court upon completion and await your confirmation email providing next steps.
• Important note: If you are filing a bankruptcy to stop a foreclosure action on your home, a repossession or some other legal action, the submission of a Bankruptcy Petition through eSR does not mean that your case has been filed. You will not receive a case number until the Bankruptcy Court receives all the required documents listed in your confirmation email.
• eSR allows a user to retrieve a submitted petition and change any petition package until it is taken in by the court for filing. Once taken in by court for filing, eSR is no longer available to the filer for electronic filing to accomplish edits to their petition taken in by the court.
• The pro se debtor(s) has 45 days from submission to complete their filing through eSR. Cases started via eSR will be deleted after 45 days if the debtor does not log into the eSR program or does not complete the case submission process within 45 days of last access.

    Additional steps after eSR Submission:

• Submit in person or mail the Declaration form , Statement of Social Security Number, filing fee and any other documents required and provided in your confirmation email.
• Upon completion of document submission to the court, your case will be opened and assigned a case number.
• Note: A bankruptcy petition will be returned to the filer in 10 days if forms needed to complete a filing are not received. While some documents can be submitted within 14 days after a case is filed to avoid dismissal, the Declaration form and Statement of Social Security Number must be tendered to the court prior to case filing or a case number assigned.

eSR Computer Requirements:

• Internet connection
• eSR requires use of a computer or tablet. Smart phones can not be used with eSR.
• Adobe Reader (Version 8 or higher)
• Pop up blocker must be disabled
• Printer (always print and keep a copy of anything you file, or save in a manner it can be accessed as needed at a later date)
• Browser Requirements: it is recommended you always use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Safari.

eSR Help

• For technical and procedural assistance, please contact (901)328-3505 (Memphis) or (731)421-9365 (Jackson)

For information on emergency filings outside the eSR process, call or visit the applicable divisional office for procedural information and access to forms.