Your Bankruptcy Proof of Claim Deadline (Bar Date), Explained

What this notice usually means

A proof of claim tells the bankruptcy court what a debtor owes you. The deadline to file one is called the bar date. In a voluntary Chapter 7, 12, or 13 case, the bar date is 70 days after the order for relief. In an involuntary Chapter 7 case, it is 90 days after the order for relief. A government agency gets more time, 180 days after the order for relief. If a claim comes from a tax return filed under the debtor's plan, the deadline is 180 days after the order for relief or 60 days after that tax return is filed, whichever is later. All of these counts are calendar days, not court days. A court can extend the bar date by up to 60 days, but only if the notice you got did not give you enough time to file, and only for good cause. In most Chapter 7 cases, there are no assets to divide, so unsecured creditors are told not to file a claim at all. If the case later gains assets, creditors get a new notice and a new chance to file.