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Florida Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy laws and resources vary from state to state. The following page provides information and resource links for the state of Florida.
If you are not looking for information regarding Florida, please use the links on the right to find information for your state.
- Courts - Location and Contact Information
- Bankruptcy Laws
- Approved Credit Counseling/Debtor Education Agencies
- Florida Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Florida Resources
Florida Bankruptcy Courts - Location & Contact Information
Florida bankruptcy courts are divided into three districts, which are further divided into several divisions. Generally, the debtor’s county of residence will determine which district and division the bankruptcy petition is filed. It may also be determined by the location of the debtor’s principal place of business or principal assets.
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
COUNTIES OF JURISDICTION:Tallahassee Division - Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla Counties
Pensacola Division - Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties
Panama City Division - Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties
Gainesville Division - Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Tallahassee Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 110 East Park Avenue Suite 100 Tallahassee, FL 32301 |
Same | (850) 521-5001 |
| Pensacola Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 220 West Garden Street Suite 700 Pensacola, FL 32502 |
Same | (850) 435-8475 |
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
COUNTIES OF JURISDICTION:Fort Myers Division - Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties
Jacksonville Division - Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Union and Volusia Counties
Orlando Division - Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties
Tampa Division - Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Jacksonville Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 300 North Hogan Street Suite 3-350 Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
Same | (904) 301-6490 |
| Orlando Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 135 W. Central Boulevard Suite 950 Orlando, FL 32801 |
Same |
(407) 648-6365 |
| Tampa Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 801 N. Florida Avenue Suite 727 Tampa, FL 33602 |
Same |
(813) 301-5065 or (813) 301-5046 |
| Fort Myers Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 2110 First Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
*use Tampa address above |
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
COUNTIES OF JURISDICTION:West Palm Beach Division - Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties
Fort Lauderdale Division - Broward County
Miami Division - Dade and Monroe Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| West Palm Beach Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. 8th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
Same |
(561) 514-4100 |
| Fort Lauderdale Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 299 E. Broward Blvd. Room 112 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
Same | (954) 769-5700 |
| Miami Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 51 S.W. 1st Avenue Room 1517 Miami, FL 33130 |
Same |
(305) 714-1800 |
Florida Bankruptcy Laws and Exemptions
Florida Exemptions
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code allows individual debtors to exempt certain property from creditor claims based on exemptions under either federal law or state law. Exemptions vary from state to state. Some states have adopted their own set of bankruptcy exemptions that are used in place of the federal exemptions. However, other states give debtors an option to choose between either state or federal exemptions.
For Florida bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click here for some common bankruptcy exemptions under Florida Code.
Contact a Florida bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Florida bankruptcy exemptions.
Florida Means Test
The new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005 also require that debtors pass a means test before filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There are two ways to pass the means test:
1. the debtor's annual income (calculated using the average gross income for the six month period prior to filing) must be below the state median. Census Bureau statistics for state median income by family size can be found here.
2. If income exceeds the median income, individuals may still file Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on results ofForm 22A: Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means-Test Calculation.
Florida Credit Counseling & Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Florida must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Florida credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Florida debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Florida Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find Florida bankruptcy lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Florida State Bar Association:
The Florida Bar
651 E. Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
(850) 561-5600
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the Florida Legal Services Directory for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Florida.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you by a Florida bankruptcy attorney, visit the state bar's page regarding Florida's lawyer discipline system.
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Resources for Florida Bankruptcy Laws
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida - administrative and procedural information for Northern District of Florida bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court the Middle District of Florida - administrative and procedural information for Central District of Florida bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida - administrative and procedural information for Southern District of Florida bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 21 - oversees the administration of Florida personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Florida Bar Association - information about the Florida bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.
       
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