Local Rule LBR 1015-1: CONSOLIDATION AND JOINT ADMINISTRATION
Bankr. C.D. Cal. — General rule
LBR 1015-1. CONSOLIDATION AND JOINT ADMINISTRATION
(a) Joint Cases. A joint case commenced for spouses by the filing of a single petition under 11 U.S.C. § 302(a) will be deemed substantively consolidated unless the court orders otherwise.
(b) Joint Administration of Cases Pending Before the Same Judge.
(1) Motion. If 2 or more cases are pending before the same judge, an order of joint administration may be entered, without further notice and an opportunity for hearing, upon the filing of a motion for joint administration pursuant to FRBP 1015 and LBR 9013-1(q), supported by a declaration establishing that the joint administration of the cases is warranted, will ease the administrative burden for the court and the parties, and will protect creditors of the different estates against potential conflicts of interest.
(2) Order. An order granting a motion to approve joint administration must be lodged using the court-approved form. An order of joint administration under this rule is for procedural purposes only and shall not effect a substantive consolidation of the respective debtors' estates.
(3) Notice. Promptly upon entry of an order granting a motion for joint administration, the movant must file and serve, using the court-approved form, a Notice of Joint Administration and Requirements for Filing Documents.
(c) Reassignment of Cases Not Assigned to the Same Judge. A motion for joint administration or for substantive consolidation must include a motion under LBR 1073-1 to reassign the cases to be jointly administered or substantively consolidated if those cases are not all assigned to one judge.