Maryland Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy laws and resources vary from state to state. The following page provides Maryland bankruptcy information.
If you are not looking for information regarding Maryland, 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
- Maryland Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Maryland Resources
Bankruptcy Courts - Location and Contact Information
Maryland bankruptcy courts consist of one district, which is divided into two divisions. Generally, the debtor’s county of residence will determine which 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.
COUNTIES OF JURISDICTION:
Baltimore Division - Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County,
Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen
Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
Greenbelt Division - Allegany, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Garrett,
Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Washington Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Baltimore Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 101 W. Lombard St. Suite 8308 Baltimore, MD 21201 |
Same | (410) 344-8018 |
| Greenbelt Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 6500 Cherrywood Ln Suite 300 Greenbelt, MD 20770 |
Same | (301) 344-8018 |
Maryland 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 Maryland bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click here for some common bankruptcy exemptions under Maryland law.
Contact a Maryland bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Maryland 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. .
Maryland Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Maryland must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Maryland credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Maryland debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Maryland Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Maryland State Bar Association:
Maryland State Bar Association
520 W. Fayette St
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-7878
(800) 492-1964
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the website for the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Maryland.
Resources for Maryland Bankruptcy Laws
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland - administrative and procedural information for Maryland bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 4 - oversees the administration of Maryland personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Maryland State Bar Association - information about the Maryland bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.