Ohio Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy laws and resources vary from state to state. The following page provides information and resource links for the state of Ohio.
If you are not looking for information regarding Ohio, please use the links on the right to find information for your state.
- Courts - Location and Contact Information
- Bankruptcy Laws
- Approved Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
- Ohio Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Ohio Resources
Ohio Bankruptcy Courts - Location and Contact Information
Ohio 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 OHIO
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Akron Location - Medina, Summit and Portage Counties
Canton Location - Ashland, Carroll, Crawford, Holmes, Richland, Stark,
Tuscarawas and Wayne Counties
Cleveland Location - Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties
Youngstown Location - Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull
Counties
Toledo Location - Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock,
Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam,
Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Eastern Div. @ Akron |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court John F. Seiberling Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse 2 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 |
Same | (330) 252-6100 |
| Eastern Div. @ Canton |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Frank T. Bow Federal Building 201 Cleveland Avenue, SW Canton, OH 44702 |
Same | (330) 458-2120 |
| Eastern Div. @ Cleveland |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse 201 Superior Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 |
Same |
(216) 615-4300 |
| Eastern Div. @ Youngstown |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse 10 East Commerce Street Youngstown, OH 44503-1621 |
Same |
(330) 742-0900 |
| Western Div. @ Toledo |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court U.S. Courthouse and Custom House 1716 Spielbusch Avenue Toledo, OH 43624 |
Same | (419) 213-5600 |
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Columbus Location - Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield,
Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson,
Jefferson, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan,
Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Union, Vinton
and Washington Counties
Cincinnati Location - Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton,
Highland, Lawrence and Scioto Counties
Dayton Location - Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami,
Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Eastern Div. @ Columbus |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 170 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 |
Same |
(614) 469-6638 |
| Western Div. @ Cincinnati |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 221 E. Fourth Street Atrium Two Suite 800 Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
Same | (513) 684-2572 |
| Western Div. @ Dayton |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 120 West Third Street Dayton, OH 45402 |
Same |
(937) 225-2516 |
Ohio 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 Ohio bankruptcy filings, state exemptions are used. Click here for some common bankruptcy exemptions pursuant to Ohio law.
Contact an Ohio bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Ohio 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. .
Ohio Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Ohio must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Ohio credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Ohio debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Ohio Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find Ohio bankruptcy lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Ohio State Bar Association:
1700 Lake Shore Drive
Columbus, OH 43204
(800) 282-6556
(614) 487-2050
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: See the Ohio Legal Services' website for a list of organizations that provide legal services to low income clients in Ohio.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you
by an Ohio bankruptcy attorney, visit the Ohio
Supreme Court Board of Commissioners on Grievances &
Discipline's web page regarding the process for filing a
complaint.
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Resources for Ohio Bankruptcy Laws
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio - administrative and procedural information for Northern District of Ohio bankruptcy filings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio - administrative and procedural information for Southern District of Ohio bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 9 - oversees the administration of Ohio personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Ohio State Bar Association - information about the Ohio bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.