{"id":39,"date":"2021-07-20T15:24:52","date_gmt":"2021-07-20T15:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2026-08-27T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:22:15","slug":"trustees-percentage-fee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/?page_id=39","title":{"rendered":"Trustee&#8217;s Percentage Fee and Trustee&#8217;s List Procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Current Trustee\u2019s Percentage Fee is 8%<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Trustee&#8217;s List Procedures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE\u2019S OFFICE CONFIRMATION LIST PROCEDURES (Revised July 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>CONFIRMATION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirmation Review<ul><li>Our office sets aside time each week prior to confirmation hearings to review cases with debtors\u2019 attorneys.&nbsp; Confirmation hearings are typically held on <strong>TUESDAYS AT 1:00 PM<\/strong> but occasionally may be held on a <strong>THURSDAY<\/strong> docket.&nbsp; The deadline to meet and confer with the Trustee\u2019s office to participate in the Trustee\u2019s list procedures is dependent on the day of the week confirmation is scheduled. (SEE BELOW)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you or your firm average 5 or more cases on a confirmation docket, the Trustee\u2019s office requests that you reserve a standing time to review cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>We prefer to review cases in person, particularly for those with a higher volume.&nbsp; Meetings may be done telephonically upon request, if the circumstances so require.&nbsp; Those with fewer than 5 cases may send an email in lieu of meeting in person.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Please review your cases, including prior Trustee notes, all filed claims, objections to confirmation, and any other pending motions, prior to meeting with the Trustee\u2019s office.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>TUESDAY DOCKETS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you wish to review your cases with our office and participate in the court\u2019s Confirmation List procedure (below), you must meet with our office no later than <strong>10:00 AM on TUESDAY<\/strong> the week prior to confirmation.&nbsp; All communications received prior to that time will be included in the Trustee\u2019s confirmation lists.&nbsp; <strong>Communications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be included on the Trustee\u2019s lists.<\/strong><ul><li>If you are entitled to meet via email, you may send an email to <a href=\"mailto:jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> and copy <a href=\"mailto:asmithson@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">asmithson@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> providing information about your cases.&nbsp; We request that you send your email as early as possible the week prior to the confirmation hearing, but no later than Tuesday at 10:00 am, so we will have time to respond to your email and prepare the lists for the court.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Our office is very busy on days we meet with attorneys so we will respond to your emails as quickly as possible.&nbsp; As long as your email is received by 10:00 am on Tuesday, your case(s) will be included on the \u201clists\u201d submitted to the Court, if warranted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>THURSDAY DOCKETS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For cases set on a Thursday docket, you must meet with our office no later than <strong>NOON on THURSDAY<\/strong> the week prior to confirmation.&nbsp; <strong>Communications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be included on the Trustee\u2019s lists.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirmation Lists<ul><li>In the Western Division, we use a set of \u201clists\u201d to expedite confirmation hearings.&nbsp; The lists represent agreements reached by debtor\u2019s counsel and the Trustee\u2019s office prior to the confirmation hearing.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Lists are submitted to the Court the week before a confirmation docket.&nbsp; If you wish to have your case(s) included on one of the lists, you must participate in the confirmation review process during the times noted above.&nbsp; If your case(s) does not make a list, you are required to appear for the confirmation hearing.&nbsp; If your case(s) does make a list, you MAY be excused from appearing for the confirmation hearing.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lists<\/strong>:<ul><li>Amend\/Continue \u2013 if you need to file an amended plan, we will provide a deadline for you to file the amended plan and a date to which the confirmation hearing will be continued.&nbsp; A copy of the form order entered by the court is attached hereto.<ul><li>You must obtain consent from a creditor\u2019s attorney who has a pending motion or objection<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>If a creditor has a pending motion for relief, you must obtain consent of the creditor\u2019s attorney to waive or extend the 362(e) deadlines<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>You are excused from appearing for the confirmation hearing<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Continuance \u2013 if your case is not ready for confirmation, you may request a continuance to resolve any outstanding issues<ul><li>You must obtain consent from a creditor\u2019s attorney who has a pending motion or objection<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>If a creditor has a pending motion for relief, you must obtain consent of the creditor\u2019s attorney to waive or extend the 362(e) deadlines<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>You are excused from appearing at the confirmation hearing<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Recommend \u2013 if the Trustee deems your case ready for confirmation, we will recommend the case for confirmation<ul><li>You are excused from the confirmation hearing<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Recommend and Withdraw \u2013 if the Trustee deems your case ready for confirmation but has a pending motion to dismiss and\/or objection to confirmation, we will recommend for confirmation and withdraw the Trustee\u2019s motion to dismiss and\/or objection to confirmation<ul><li>You are excused from appearing at the confirmation hearing<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conditional Recommend \u2013 if the Trustee deems your case ready for confirmation upon the completion of a condition, i.e. payment, providing tax returns, resolution of objection to confirmation, etc., your case will be conditionally recommended upon meeting the condition.<ul><li>If you are on a conditional recommend list, please email <a href=\"mailto:jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> and <a href=\"mailto:asmithson@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">asmithson@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> the day before confirmation and let us know whether or not the condition has been met.&nbsp; One email with all of your conditionally recommend cases is preferred.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IF THE CONDITION IS MET, you are excused from appearing at the confirmation hearing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE\u2019S OFFICE DISMISSAL LIST PROCEDURES (Revised October 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C. DAVID COTTINGHAM, WESTERN DIVISION<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>DISMISSAL DOCKET<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Judge Henderson currently holds one dismissal docket every other month.&nbsp; Similar to the confirmation hearing process, we employ a list procedure to expedite dismissal dockets.&nbsp; If your case is included on the list, you are NOT required to appear for the hearing.&nbsp; If your case is not on the list, you <strong>MUST<\/strong> appear for the hearing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dismissal dockets are typically held on Thursday, although occasionally a dismissal docket may be held on Tuesday.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please make sure you communicate any agreements with your client so they do not unnecessarily appear for a hearing with a prearranged resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dismissal Lists<ul><li>In order to have your case included on the Trustee\u2019s list, you must email <a href=\"mailto:jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">jjohnson@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> AND <a href=\"mailto:dcottingham@ch13tuscaloosa.com\">dcottingham@ch13tuscaloosa.com<\/a> no later than <strong>END OF BUSINESS<\/strong> <strong>4 business days prior to the hearing date<\/strong>, i.e <strong>FRIDAY<\/strong> for a Thursday docket or <strong>WEDNESDAY<\/strong> for a Tuesday docket.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Please review the pay history and schedules I\/J in your case before emailing the trustee\u2019s office.&nbsp; Also make sure to review your case for a modification, if your debtor has incurred a change in circumstances.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Given the volume of the dismissal dockets, we request that your email include an excel spreadsheet that includes the specific request for each case you are asking to be included on a trustee\u2019s list.&nbsp; If the information is submitted in this exact format, then my office can easily assimilate it all into one list for each docket that is ready to be used by the Court.<ul><li>Please use ALL CAPS on your excel spreadsheet<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Include the following in a separate cell:<ul><li>Case Number<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Debtor Name (FIRST NAME LAST NAME)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Requested Action Taken (List \u2013 see below for specific notation)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lists:&nbsp;<\/strong><ul><li>Continuance \u2013 If you need additional time to speak to your client or for your client to make payments or modify the plan, you may request a continuance to the next month\u2019s dismissal docket.&nbsp;<ul><li>Agreed continuances of hearings on motions to dismiss are done by order BEFORE court.&nbsp; The hearing will be vacated from the docket, and you will not need to appear at the docket.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>NOTATION &#8211; CONT TMD TO DATE AT TIME &nbsp;<ul><li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CONT TMD TO 11\/21 AT 1:00<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Modify\/Continue \u2013 If you\/your client needs a continuance but needs to increase the plan payment to pay the case out on time, you may request a continuance with the necessary increase to the plan payment.&nbsp; The court\u2019s order continuing the case will include the payment increase.<ul><li>Agreed plan modifications with continuance of hearings on motions to dismiss are done by order BEFORE court.&nbsp; The hearing will be vacated from the docket, and you will not need to appear at the docket.&nbsp; A copy of the form order entered by the court is attached hereto.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>If the payment increase requires amended schedules I\/J to show feasibility, please note the requirement.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>NOTATION \u2013 MOD PP TO $___\/FREQUENCY; AMEND I\/J; CONT TMD TO DATE\/TIME &nbsp;(abbreviate MO, BW, WK, SM)<ul><li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MOD PP TO $321\/MO; AMEND I\/J; CONT TMD TO 11\/21 AT 1:00<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MOD PP TO $123\/BW; CONT TMD TO 11\/21 AT 1:00<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Withdraw \u2013 If you believe the trustee\u2019s motion to dismiss is due to be withdrawn, you may request.&nbsp; Please remember that the court is typically looking to see consecutive monthly (or consecutive month\u2019s worth of) payments before approving a withdrawal.&nbsp; Also make sure schedules I\/J support feasibility of plan payment before requesting withdrawal.<ul><li>Agreed withdrawals will be announced at the beginning of the docket.&nbsp; You do not need to appear if your case is to be announced as an agreed withdrawal.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>NOTATION \u2013 WITHDRAW<ul><li>&nbsp;<strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; WITHDRAW<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Withdraw and Modify \u2013 If you believe the trustee\u2019s motion to dismiss is due to be withdrawn but the plan payment needs to be increased to pay the case out on time, you may request a withdrawal with the necessary increase to the plan payment.&nbsp; Note the increase must be feasible prior to the withdrawal request.<ul><li>Agreed withdrawals will be announced at the beginning of the docket.&nbsp; You do not need to appear if your case is to be announced as an agreed withdrawal.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>NOTATION &#8211; MOD PP TO $__\/FREQUENCY AND WITHDRAW<ul><li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MOD PP TO $123\/BW; WITHDRAW<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Dismiss \u2013 If your client consents to the dismissal of the case, you may request the case be dismissed.&nbsp; Please note this is an agreed dismissal.&nbsp; You must have express consent from your client to participate in the dismissal list.&nbsp; This does not include cases in which you have lost contact with your client or in which your client has failed to meet some payment condition that you may have arranged with them.<ul><li>Agreed dismissals will be announced at the beginning of the docket.&nbsp; You do not need to appear if your case is to be announced as an agreed dismissal.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>NOTATION \u2013 DISMISS<ul><li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; DISMISS<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Convert or Dismiss \u2013 If your client intends to covert the case to a case under chapter 7, you may request 30 days for the case to be converted or to have the case dismissed.<ul><li>Agreements to allow the debtor 30 days to convert the case to chapter 7 or have the case dismissed are announced at the beginning of the docket.&nbsp; You do not need to appear if your case is to be announced as an agreed Covert\/Dismiss.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NOTATION \u2013 CONVERT\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>21-70001&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JANE SMITH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CONVERT<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example Excel Submission:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>18-70000<\/td><td>SARAH GRAHAM<\/td><td>CONT TMD TO 10\/24 AT 1:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70001<\/td><td>KEVIN MARTIN<\/td><td>WITHDRAW<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70002<\/td><td>STEPHANIE SMITH<\/td><td>MOD PP TO $641\/BW; WITHDRAW<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70003<\/td><td>APRIL ALLEN<\/td><td>CONVERT<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70004<\/td><td>SAMUEL HUGHES<\/td><td>DISMISS<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70005<\/td><td>HARRISON GILES<\/td><td>MOD PP TO $524\/WK; CONT TMD TO 10\/24 AT 1:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70006<\/td><td>PAMELA JOHNSON<\/td><td>CONT TMD TO 10\/24 AT 1:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18-70007<\/td><td>JENNIFER BULLOCK<\/td><td>MOD PP TO $259\/MO; AMEND I\/J; CONT TMD TO 10\/24 AT 1:00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Current Trustee\u2019s Percentage Fee is 8% Trustee&#8217;s List Procedures CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE\u2019S OFFICE CONFIRMATION LIST PROCEDURES (Revised July 2025) CONFIRMATION TUESDAY DOCKETS THURSDAY DOCKETS CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE\u2019S OFFICE DISMISSAL LIST PROCEDURES (Revised October 2025) C. DAVID COTTINGHAM, WESTERN DIVISION DISMISSAL DOCKET Example Excel Submission: 18-70000 SARAH GRAHAM CONT TMD TO 10\/24 AT 1:00 18-70001 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-gutenberg.php","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":344,"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions\/344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ch13tuscaloosa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}