Upsolve’s tool provides you with the information about your filing district and the location of the courthouse within the district. This is based on information you provide to Upsolve. But, the technology is new and may not always be accurate or update properly if you make a change later in the process.
That’s why it’s important to verify the correct filing location before submitting your forms.
Don’t simply search for a courthouse near you. There are different kinds of courts on both the federal and the state level. Instead do an internet search for the bankruptcy court in your state.
Some states only have one “bankruptcy district” while others have multiple districts. If you’re in a state with multiple districts, the Upsolve State Guide for your state should provide guidance on how to find the right district for your case.
Court location information is available on the bankruptcy court’s website. It’s usually pretty easy to find in the menu options or by searching the site for “court locations.” Some courts also have a “where to file” page detailing which counties are served by the court.
If you can’t find any information on line about how to figure out which district to file your case in, call the bankruptcy court. Even if you’re not sure which district you're in, pick the district you think is right, and call their clerk’s office. Have your address ready and let them know that you’re trying to make sure you filed your bankruptcy case at the right location. They’ll be able to direct you to the right location.
District ≠ Division. Some districts are further divided into divisions. That’s just a fancy way of saying there are multiple courthouses within the district. As long as the division that you’re filing in accepts new cases (not all divisional offices do), you can file your case there even if it’s ultimately assigned to another division.
If you don’t double-check to make sure you’re filing your case at the right court, you risk a delay in getting your case filed. Remember - you’re not protected from creditors until after the case has been filed with the proper court. Additionally,
- you may end up wasting a trip to a courthouse that won’t accept your paperwork,
- may have to wait for the court to mail your forms (and your filing fee) back to you,
- may have to wait for the court to transfer your case to the correct district if they initially accepted it by mistake.
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