(a) Cases Involving Same Debtor. If two or more petitions are pending in the same court by or against the same debtor, the court may order consolidation of the cases.
(b) Cases Involving Two or More Related Debtors. If a joint petition or two or more petitions are pending in the same court by or against (1) a husband and wife, or (2) a partnership and one or more of its general partners, or (3) two or more general partners, or (4) a debtor and an affiliate, the court may order a joint administration of the estates. Prior to entering an order the court shall give consideration to protecting creditors of different estates against potential conflicts of interest. An order directing joint administration of individual cases of a husband and wife shall, if one spouse has elected the exemptions under § 522(b)(2) of the Code and the other has elected the exemptions under § 522(b)(3), fix a reasonable time within which either may amend the election so that both shall have elected the same exemptions. The order shall notify the debtors that unless they elect the same exemptions within the time fixed by the court, they will be deemed to have elected the exemptions provided by § 522(b)(2).
(c) Expediting and Protective Orders. When an order for consolidation or joint administration of a joint case or two or more cases is entered pursuant to this rule, while protecting the rights of the parties under the Code, the court may enter orders as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs and delay.
(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008.)
added in current removed in current
Compared to current version (2025).
(a) Consolidating Cases Involving the Same Debtor. If two or more petitions are pending in the same court by or against the same debtor, the court may order consolidation of the cases.
(b) Cases Involving Two or More Related Debtors. If a joint petitionThe court may consolidate two or more cases that are regarding or brought by or against the same debtor and that are pending in its district.
(b) Jointly Administering Cases Involving Related Debtors; Exemptions of Spouses; Protective Orders to Avoid Conflicts of Interest.
(1) In General. The court may order joint administration of the estates in a joint case or in two or more petitions arecases pending in the same court by or against (1) a husband and wife, or (2court if they are brought by or against:
(A) spouses;
(B) a partnership and one or more of its general partners, or (3;
(C) two or more general partners,; or (4
(D) a debtor and an affiliate, the court may order.
(2) Potential Conflicts of Interest. Before issuing a joint -administration of the estates. Prior to entering an order, the court shall givemust consideration how to protecting the creditors of different estates against potential conflicts of interest. An order directing joint administration of individual cases of a husband and wife shall, if one spouse has elected the
(3) Exemptions in Cases Involving Spouses. If spouses have filed separate petitions-with one electing exemptions under § 522(b)(2) of the Code and the other has elected the exemptions under § 522(b)(3), fix a reasonable time within which either may amend the eunder § 522(b)(3)-and the court orders joint administration, that order must:
(A) set a reasonablec tion so that both shall haveme for the debtors to elected the same exemptions. The order shall notify the debtors that unless they elect the same exemptions within the time fixed by the court; and
(B) advise the debtors that if they fail to do so, they will be deemconsidered to have elected the exemptions provided byunder § 522(b)(2).
(c) Expediting and Protective Orders. When an order for to Avoid Unnecessary Costs and Delay. When cases are consolidationed or jointly administration of a joint case orered, the court may issue orders two or more cases is entered pursuant to this rule, whavoid unnecessary costs and delay while stilel protecting the rights of the parties under the Code, the court may enter orders as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs and delay.
(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008parties’ rights under the Code.
(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008; Apr. 28, 2010, eff. Dec. 1, 2010; Apr. 27, 2017, eff. Dec. 1, 2017; Apr. 2, 2024, eff. Dec. 1, 2024.)