My case file organization!!! Thought I'd share my filing system for other people who may attempt pro se.

I have a well organized directory structure on my PC. I back it up DAILY as I have filed pro se and my entire case and history are there.

Here's how I have mine set up (NOTE: the "00" and "01" numbers are for SORTING purposes.):
  • 00 00 Pending Motions -- these are "shortcuts" to actual pending documents (which stay in their respective folder)
  • 00 00 CASE XX-XXXXX-XXX -- contains everything filed and received from PACER (notices, orders, etc)
  • 00 01 FOR TRUSTEE -- for the Trustee
  • 00 01 TO DO - IMPORTANT -- Other Than Motions, Objections
  • 00 02 PLAN -- The Plan
  • 00 03 CLAIMS -- Claims (see below)
  • 00 04 FILED -- Documents FILED with the Court (organized into sub-folder with the date -- e.g. 20080824)
  • 00 05 MOTIONS -- Drafts of Motions
  • 00 88 STATE STATUTES -- Statutes
  • 00 99 OTHER -- Junk
The CLAIMS folder is organized by Claims. It looks like this
  • 01 - SOME CREDITOR NAME #1
    • DOCUMENTATION -- contains the actual claim and supporting documentation submitted by the creditor
    • OBJECTION -- ONLY if I objected to it
    • NO OBJECTION -- A Blank Folder if NOT objected to
  • 02 - SOME CREDITOR NAME #2
    • DOCUMENTATION
    • NO OBJECTION
  • 03 - SOME CREDITOR NAME #3
    • DOCUMENTATION
    • OBJECTION
The first number is the Claim number filed. So claim number 1 get folder "01 - SOME CREDITOR #1". The numbers are used for "sorting" the folder! Keeps them in order. Inside of each CLAIM folder I do two things.

That's pretty much it for the organization. I also have a master Spreadsheet which tracks money I spent on delivery (service) to creditors, attorneys and other contact information. I also have a Form B22C in a spreadsheet to do quick what-if calculations, as well as a "payments" spreadsheet which will also tell me what happens if I modify a payment to a creditor.

Notice!!! When using PACER, it will save files with the SAME filename. The standard filename on pacer is opn_view.pdf. When you save it, make sure to use a name which represents what it is. I usually use the "CAPTION" information on the document (e.g. ABC BANK OBJECTION TO CONFIRMATION OF PLAN.pdf).

Let's see... more things to note. I have the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure bookmarked into my browser http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frbp

Of course, I have my local District's site as well. The Bookmarks are organized too for easy finding. Don't just have a bunch of bookmarks laying around, you'll never find stuff that way.

You MUST stay organized if you're a pro se filer, and it doesn't hurt to be organized if you have a lawyer.