Bankruptcy begins with a petition. A petition is a legal document which includes important information like a debtor’s name and social security number. Whether they own a business operating as a sole proprietorship is included as well. A petition also includes a number of “schedules.” These are additional documents itemizing relevant information, such as real property, personal property and creditors.

If there is an error or omission in a petition, the filer must correct it by first filing an amended petition. This requires using the appropriate official form and checking “amended filing” on the top right of the page. They must also file a Notice of Amendment. This notes the changes in the amended petition (see Rule 1009-1). As with most other documents, the notice of amendment must be served on parties in interest and creditors accordingly.

Lists, schedules and statements are an integral part of filing for bankruptcy. They inform the court and parties in interest about debts, assets and other necessary information. These documents, like any other, may have errors or need to be updated post-filing.

Like amending a bankruptcy petition, amending a list, schedule or statement requires refiling the document using the appropriate official form and checking “amended filing.” If that checkbox is not present, the document shall be labeled “AMENDED” in the title. However, in addition, and unlike with a petition:

“If the official form for the list, schedule, or statement to be amended does not include a signature page, the debtor shall include, as the last page of the amended list, schedule, or statement, a fully completed Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules (Official Form 106Dec) or a fully completed Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Non- Individual Debtors (Official Form 202).” Rule 1009-2.

When amending lists, schedules or statements, you must also service notice of the amendment on parties in interest.

There is a separate rule pertaining to amending a mailing list of creditors. Like the other two rules highlighted above, Rule 1009-4 lays out a few steps for amendment. However, the court found it pertinent to note that a debtor does not need to amend both the mailing list of creditors and a schedule.

When it comes to a mailing list of creditors, South Dakota bankruptcy rules specifically carved out an exception, which seems to be more functional. The court provides that a debtor does not need to amend both a mailing list of creditors and a schedule. Instead, simply filing an amended schedule will do and the clerk will update the mailing list after receipt of the amended schedule.

While this article is intended to simplify common questions about the South Dakota bankruptcy process and amendments to filings therein, bankruptcy has serious legal and financial consequences. There is no substitute for a conversation with an expert. Please contact us today at Thomas A Blake Law to learn more and let us understand your specific circumstances. We can help you navigate the bankruptcy process and all it entails.