Kentucky Bankruptcy
The resource below is for residents of the Bluegrass State. If you are looking for information regarding filing Kentucky bankruptcy, this page has tons of free resources.
So, what exactly will you find here? The best thing to do is start by clicking on one of the links below, so that you can target in on the specific information you need. However, feel free to grab a cup of coffee and read through the entire page.
- Courts - Location and Contact Information
- Bankruptcy Laws
- Approved Credit Counseling/Debtor Education Agencies
- Kentucky Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Kentucky Resources
Kentucky Bankruptcy Courts - Location and Contact Information
Kentucky bankruptcy courts are divided into two districts. Generally, the debtor’s county of residence will determine which district 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 KENTUCKY
All document filings and questions for the clerk should be directed to the Louisville Divisional Office for Western District of Kentucky bankruptcy filings.
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Louisville Division - Breckinridge, Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Larue,
Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Spencer and Washington Counties
Owensboro Location - Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins,
McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster Counties
Paducah Location - Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian,
Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken,
Marshall and Trigg Counties
Bowling Green Location - Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Casey, Clinton,
Cumberland, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Russell,
Simpson, Taylor, Todd and Warren Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Louisville Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 601 West Broadway Suite 450 Louisville, KY 40202 |
Same | (502) 627-5700 |
| Owensboro |
U.S. Courthouse 423 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 601 West Broadway, Suite 450 Louisville, KY 40202 |
(502) 627-5700 |
| Paducah |
U.S. Courthouse 501 Broadway Paducah, KY 42001 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 601 West Broadway, Suite 450 Louisville, KY 40202 |
(502) 627-5700 |
| Bowling Green |
Federal Courthouse 241 East Main Street Bowling Green, KY 42101 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 601 West Broadway, Suite 450 Louisville, KY 40202 |
(502) 627-5700 |
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
All document filings and questions for the clerk should be directed to the Lexington Divisional Office for Eastern District of Kentucky bankruptcy filings.
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Lexington Division - Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Breathitt, Clark, Estill,
Fayette, Fleming, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lee, Lincoln, Madison,
Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Wolfe and
Woodford Counties
Ashland Location - Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis,
Morgan and Rowan Counties
Covington Location - Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton,
Mason, Pendleton and Robertson Counties
London Location - Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie,
McCreary, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne and Whitley Counties
Frankfort Location - Anderson, Carroll, Franklin, Henry, Owen, Shelby
and Trimble Counties
Pikeville Location - Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin
and Pike Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Lexington Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 100 East Vine Street Suite 200 Lexington, KY 40507 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
| Ashland |
Fed. Bldg. U.S. Courthouse Greenup Ave. & 15th St. 2nd Floor Ashland, KY 41101 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
| Covington |
U.S. Bankruptcy Courtroom 35 W 5th St Rm 306 Covington, KY 41011 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
| London |
Old U.S. Courthouse 300 South Main Street Second Floor Courtroom London, KY 40741 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
| Frankfort | John C. Watts Federal Bldg. 330 West Broadway Frankfort, KY 40601 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
| Pikeville | 608 BB & T Bank Bldg. 334 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41501 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court PO Box 1111 Lexington, KY 40588 |
(859) 233-2608 |
Kentucky 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.
Kentucky bankruptcy law allows residents to use either the federal set
of exemptions or state exemptions.
***z-federal-exemptions.shtml***
Click here for some common bankruptcy exemptions pursuant to Kentucky law.
Contact a Kentucky bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Kentucky bankruptcy exemptions.
Kentucky 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 (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. .
Kentucky Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Kentucky must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Kentucky credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Kentucky debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Kentucky Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Kentucky Bar Association:
Kentucky Bar Association
514 W. Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601-1883
(502) 564-3795
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the website for the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky for more information regarding legal services available to low income and elderly clients in Kentucky.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you by your attorney, see the Kentucky Bar Association's web page regarding filing a lawyer complaint.
Additional Resources
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky - administrative and procedural information for Western District of Kentucky bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky - administrative and procedural information for Eastern District of Kentucky bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 8 - oversees the administration of Kentucky personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Kentucky Bar Association - information about the Kentucky bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.