Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay

Drafts a procedurally compliant motion under 11 U.S.C. § 362(d) to lift the automatic stay. Ensures compliance with FRBP 4001, 9014, and local rules.

Prerequisites

Loan/lease documents — note, security agreement, deed of trust, UCC filings
Perfection evidence — recording info, UCC-1 receipts, title reports
Payment history — account ledger, defaults, arrearage calculation
Valuation evidence — appraisal, BPO, tax assessment, or comparables
Bankruptcy case info — case number, chapter, filing date, court/district/division, debtor name
Post-petition facts — adequate protection payments, insurance status, property condition

Quick Start

Gather all prerequisites; confirm statutory ground(s): § 362(d)(1), (d)(2), and/or (d)(3)
Draft caption with exact debtor name, case number, chapter, and movant capacity
Build chronological fact section from loan origination through post-petition default
Draft legal argument matching each ground to evidentiary support
Prepare supporting declaration with FRE 803(6) foundation and exhibit list
Verify service list and 21-day notice requirement under FRBP 4001

Output Structure

1. Caption & Case Identification

| Element | Requirement | |---------|-------------| | Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, [District], [Division] | | Debtor | Exact legal name from petition; entity type | | Case No. | Jurisdiction-specific format | | Chapter | 7, 11, 12, or 13 | | Movant | Full legal name + capacity (e.g., "as holder of a first-priority deed of trust") | | Title | "MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM AUTOMATIC STAY PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. § 362(d)" |

2. Introduction

Movant identity, relationship to debtor, collateral description
Specific relief sought: termination / modification / annulment
Statutory basis and procedural context (filing date, stay duration, deadlines)

3. Factual Background

Present chronologically:

Pre-petition: Transaction date, principal, rate, terms, maturity; guarantors/co-borrowers
Collateral: Legal description (real property) or make/model/VIN (personal property); recording/UCC-1 data; perfection method and priority position
Default: First missed payment, arrearage itemization (principal, interest, late charges, fees), pre-petition collection efforts, failed workout attempts
Post-petition impact: How stay halted remedies; insurance lapses; waste/deterioration; missed adequate protection payments

4. Legal Argument

§ 362(d)(1) — Cause / Lack of Adequate Protection

Define adequate protection under § 361 (cash payments, replacement liens, indubitable equivalent)
Show declining collateral value with appraisal support (petition-date vs. current)
Calculate equity cushion; cite circuit authority on minimum threshold (typically ≥ 20%)
Show post-petition payments insufficient to cover accruing interest + depreciation
Additional cause if applicable: bad faith/serial filing, no reorganization prospect, violation of prior orders
Burden: under § 362(g)(2), debtor bears burden on adequate protection

§ 362(d)(2) — No Equity + Not Necessary for Reorganization

No equity (movant's burden, § 362(g)(1)): Current FMV, all liens in priority order, total encumbrances > FMV
Not necessary for reorganization:
- Ch. 7: liquidation; reorganization element inapplicable
- Ch. 11: no plan filed / not confirmable / business not viable
- Ch. 13: cannot afford payments + cure / insufficient income
Cite circuit authority: debtor must show "reasonable possibility of successful reorganization within a reasonable time"

§ 362(d)(3) — Single Asset Real Estate (if applicable)

Debtor qualifies as SARE under § 101(51B)
Failed to file plan or begin interest payments within 90 days

5. Prayer for Relief

Relief from stay to exercise non-bankruptcy remedies (specify: foreclose, repossess, litigate)
Address FRBP 4001(a)(3) 14-day stay: request waiver if emergency
Without prejudice to seek further relief
Attorney's fees and costs (cite contractual or statutory basis)

6. Supporting Declaration

Declarant must have personal knowledge (loan servicer, asset manager, corporate representative).

Position, responsibilities, familiarity with account
Business records foundation under FRE 803(6)
Factual narrative supporting all motion allegations
Post-petition communications and adequate protection history
Current collateral condition and value

7. Exhibits

| Exhibit | Description | |---------|-------------| | A | Promissory note / lease agreement | | B | Deed of trust / security agreement | | C | Proof of perfection (recorded docs / UCC filings) | | D | Payment history / account ledger | | E | Default notices / demand letters | | F | Appraisal / valuation evidence | | G | Property condition photos (if applicable) | | H | Post-petition correspondence re: adequate protection |

Each exhibit referenced in declaration with FRE 803(6) authentication.

8. Service & Certificate

Service list: Debtor, debtor's counsel, U.S. Trustee, Ch. 7/13 Trustee (if appointed), special notice parties (Rule 2002), corporate debtors per Rule 7004.

Timing: Serve ≥ 21 days before hearing. File motion to shorten time if emergency.

Certificate: Party name, address, method (CM/ECF or mail), date served.

Checks

Use persuasive point headings stating conclusions, not neutral labels
Cite specific numbers, dates, and exhibits — avoid conclusory statements
Prioritize binding circuit/district authority with parentheticals
Preemptively distinguish likely adverse authority
Verify all Bluebook citations and local standing orders (mediation, certification, proposed order format)
Local formatting: 12pt Times New Roman/Arial, 1" margins, double-spaced, consecutive paragraph numbering
Signature block: /s/ format, bar number, firm, address, phone, email
Emergency relief requires separate motion to shorten time
Tone: professional, forceful, respectful