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Louisiana Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy laws and resources vary from state to state. The following page provides information and resource links for the state of Louisiana.
If you are not looking for information regarding Louisiana, 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
- Louisiana Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Louisiana Resources
Louisiana Bankruptcy Courts - Location & Contact Information
Louisiana bankruptcy courts are divided into three districts, which are further divided into several divisions. Generally, the debtor’s parish 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.
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
PARISHES OF JURISDICTION:Alexandria Division - Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn Parishes
Lafayette-Opelousas Division - Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermillion Parishes
Monroe Division - Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll Parishes
Lake Charles Division - Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis Parishes
Shreveport Division - Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine and Webster Parishes
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Alexandria Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 300 Jackson Street Suite 116 Alexandria, LA 71301 |
Same | (318) 445-1890 |
| Lafayette-Opelousas Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 214 Jefferson Street Suite 100 Lafayette, LA 70501 |
Same | (337) 262-6800 |
| Monroe Division |
*See information for Alexandria Division for Chapter 7 cases | ||
| Lake Charles Division |
*See information for Lafayette Division for Chapter 7 cases |
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| Shreveport Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
300 Fannin Street Suite 2201 Shreveport, LA 71101 |
Same | (318) 676-4267 |
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
PARISHES OF JURISDICTION: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana Parishes| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Baton Rouge Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 707 Florida Street Room 119 Baton Rouge, LA 70801 |
Same | (225) 389-0211 |
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
PARISHES OF JURISDICTION: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John/Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington Parishes| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| New Orleans Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 500 Poydras Street, Suite B-601 New Orleans, LA 70130 |
Same |
(504) 589-7878 |
Louisiana Bankruptcy Laws and Exemptions
Louisiana 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 Louisiana bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click the following links for common exemptions available pursuant to Louisiana law: homestead exemption, personal property.
Contact a Louisiana bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Louisiana bankruptcy exemptions.
Louisiana 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.
Louisiana Credit Counseling & Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Louisiana must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Louisiana credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Louisiana debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Louisiana Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find Louisiana bankruptcy lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local bar association or the Louisiana State Bar Association:
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 566-1600
(800) 421-5722
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the Louisiana Law Help's website for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Louisiana.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you by a Louisiana bankruptcy attorney, contact:
Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board
4000 South Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 607
Baton Rouge, LA 70816-4388
Click here to visit the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board's website to learn more about filing an attorney complaint in Louisiana.
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Resources for Louisiana Bankruptcy Laws
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana - administrative and procedural information for Western District of Louisiana bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana - administrative and procedural information for Middle District of Louisiana bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana - administrative and procedural information for Eastern District of Louisiana bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 5 - oversees the administration of Louisiana personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Louisiana State Bar Association - information about the Louisiana bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.
       
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