Missouri Bankruptcy
The following page provides Missouri bankruptcy law resources and related information.
If you are not looking for information regarding Missouri, 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
- Missouri Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Missouri Resources
Missouri Bankruptcy Courts - Location and Contact Information
Missouri 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 the bankruptcy petition is filed. It may also be determined by the location of the debtor’s principal place of business or principal assets.
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
Counties of Jurisdiction: Adair, Audrain, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Chariton, Clark, Crawford, Dent, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Reynolds, Ripley, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Warren, Washington and Wayne Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
St. Louis Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court U.S. Courthouse 111 S. 10th Street, 4th Floor St. Louis, MO 63102 |
Same | (314) 244-4500 |
| Northern Division |
Located in Hanibel, MO - not
permanently staffed. Contact the main office in St. Louis, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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| Southeastern Division |
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO - not permanently staffed. Contact the main office in St. Louis, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
Counties of Jurisdiction: Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, DeKalb, Douglas, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, Worth and Wright Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Western Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse 400 E. 9th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64106 |
Same |
(816) 512-1800 |
| Central Division |
Located in Jefferson City, MO - not permanently staffed. Contact the main office in Kansas City, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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| Southwestern Division |
Located in Joplin, MO - not
permanently staffed. Contact the main office in Kansas City, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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| St. Joseph Division |
Located in St. Joseph, MO - not permanently staffed. Contact the main office in Kansas City, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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| Southern Division |
Located in Springfield, MO - not permanently staffed. Contact the main office in Kansas City, MO for filing bankruptcy pleadings and other correspondence. |
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Missouri 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 Missouri bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click the following links for common bankruptcy exemptions pursuant to Missouri law: real estate, personal property.
Contact a Missouri bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Missouri 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. .
Missouri Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Missouri must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Missouri credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Missouri debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Missouri Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find Missouri bankruptcy lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local bar association or the Missouri Bar Association:
The Missouri Bar
326 Monroe
P.O. Box 119
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0119
(573) 635-4128
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the Legal Services of Missouri's website for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Missouri.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you
by a Missouri bankruptcy attorney, contact the Office
of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Missouri.
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