Indiana Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy laws and resources vary from state to state. The following page provides Indiana bankruptcy information and resource links.
If you are not looking for information regarding the Hoosier State, please use the links on the left to find information for your state.
- Courts - Location and Contact Information
- Bankruptcy Laws
- Approved Credit Counseling/Debtor Education Agencies
- Indiana Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Indiana Resources
Indiana Bankruptcy Courts - Location and Contact Information
Indiana bankruptcy courts are divided into two 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 INDIANA
Counties of Jurisdiction: Adams, Allen, Benton, Blackford, Carroll, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Grant, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Tippecanoe, Wabash, Warren, Wells, White and Whitley
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Fort Wayne Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 1300 S. Harrison St. Rm. 1188 D Ft Wayne IN 46802-3435 |
Same | (260) 420-5100 |
| Hammond Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 5400 Federal Plaza Hammond, IN 46320 |
Same | (219) 852-3480 |
| Hammond Div. @ Lafayette |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 230 North Fourth Street Lafayette, IN 47901 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 558 Lafayette, IN 47902 |
(765) 420-6300 |
| South Bend Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 401 South Michigan St. South Bend, IN 46601 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 7003 South Bend, IN 46634 |
(574) 968-2100 |
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
Counties of Jurisdiction: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Sullivan, Switzerland, Tipton, Union, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warrick, Washington and Wayne
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Indianapolis Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 116 U.S. Courthouse 46 E. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 44978 Indianapolis, IN 46244 |
(317) 229-3800 |
| New Albany Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 110 U.S. Courthouse 121 West Spring Street New Albany, IN 47150 |
Same | (812) 542-4540 |
| Evansville Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 352 Federal Bldg. 101 NW Martin L. King Blvd. Evansville, IN 47708 |
Same |
(812) 434-6470 |
| Terre Haute Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Federal Building 30 N. 7th Street Terre Haute, IN 47808 |
Same | (812) 238-1550 |
Indiana Bankruptcy Laws and 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 Indiana bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click here for some common bankruptcy exemptions under Indiana Code.
Contact an Indiana bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Indiana bankruptcy exemptions.
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 (for cases filed between April 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013).
2. If income exceeds the median income, individuals may still file Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on results of Form 22A: Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means-Test Calculation. .
Indiana Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Indiana must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Indiana credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Indiana debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Indiana Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find Indiana bankruptcy lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Indiana State Bar Association:
Indiana Bar Center
230 East Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 639-5465
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the Indiana Pro Bono Commission's website for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Indiana.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you by an Indiana bankruptcy attorney, contact:
Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission
115 West Washington Street, Suite 1060
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3417
(317) 232-1807
Resources for Indiana Bankruptcy Laws
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana - administrative and procedural information for Northern District of Indiana bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana - administrative and procedural information for Southern District of Indiana bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 10 - oversees the administration of Indiana personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Indiana State Bar Association - information about the Indiana bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.