Motion to Reopen Chapter 7, 12, or 13 Bankruptcy Case

Rev. 02/06/2026

Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5010
11 U.S.C. § 350(b)
Miss. Bankr. L.R. 5010-1(a) (c) and (d)

The court may reopen a case to administer assets, grant relief to the debtor, or for any other cause.

The motion to reopen must set out the specific reason for reopening, and for Chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases, state whether the movant believes a trustee is necessary to protect the interests of the creditors and the debtor or to ensure efficient administration of the estates. See Miss. Bankr. L.R. 5010-1(a).

It is not necessary to reopen a case to file:

An application to release unclaimed funds or
A motion to redact information from the case record. See Redact Document and Restrict Public Access.

See Reopening to Reinstate Bankruptcy Case which has been dismissed.

Note: When an ECF user selects the event for a motion to reopen a bankruptcy case in an open case, the system displays a message and stops the filing process.

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Motion Docket Events:

[Bankruptcy > Motions/Applications > Reopen Chapter 12]

[Bankruptcy > Motions/Applications > Reopen Chapter 13]

[Bankruptcy > Motions/Applications > Reopen Chapter 7]

Motion filed by Debtor

In a Chapter 7 or 13 case, the debtor must file a 21-day notice when the reason to reopen is:

Reinstate the case.
File a post-petition financial management certificate to receive a discharge.
Set aside the dismissal of a case (generally, the court will set the motion for a hearing.)

KMS Cases

JAW Cases

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the case trustee, the US Trustee, and any affected party

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the case trustee, the US Trustee, and any affected party

Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

When reopening to file the debtor's post-petition personal financial management course certification or certificate to receive a discharge, the debtor must file a 21-day notice to all parties on the mailing matrix. (See Miss. Bankr. L.R. 5010-1(d))

Notice Event:

[Bankruptcy > Notices > 21 Day Notice]

Motion filed by Interested Party (other than the Trustee or US Trustee)

KMS Cases

JAW Cases

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the debtor, case trustee, US Trustee, and any affected party

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the debtor, case trustee, US Trustee, and any affected party

Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

Motion filed by the Trustee or US Trustee

KMS Cases

JAW Cases

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the debtor, case trustee, US Trustee, and any affected party

Motion with Certificate of Service

Serve the debtor, case trustee, US Trustee, and any affected party

*Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Filing Fee

Click here for Exemptions to the Filing Fee

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

Proposed Order

A proposed order reopening a Chapter 12 or 13 case must include language directing the US Trustee to appoint a trustee.

How to File an Amended Motion to Reopen

File amended motion using the above docket event;
In the receipt field, enter the receipt number for the filing fee payment made for the original motion; and
Select "Amended" from the drop-down prefix list.

Exceptions to the Filing Fee

Per Bankruptcy Miscellaneous Fee Schedule the reopening fee must not be charged in the following situations:

To permit a party to file a complaint to obtain a determination under Rule 4007(b).
when a debtor files a motion to reopen a case based upon an alleged violation of the terms of the discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 524
when the reopening is to correct an administrative error
to redact a record already filed in a case, pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037, if redaction is the only reason for reopening
When a party files a motion to reopen a case to request to withdraw unclaimed funds, unless the court orders otherwise

No Reopening fee. See