United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California is a unit of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California and operates within the Ninth Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses located within the Eastern District, which covers a large geographic area of California's interior, including the Central Valley, the Sierra Nevada region, and portions of the state extending from Fresno north to the Oregon border and east to Nevada.
The district is one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in the nation, serving a population spread across approximately 40 counties. The court handles cases under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, and Chapter 13 wage earner plans. Its docket reflects the agricultural and rural economic character of the region, alongside consumer bankruptcy filings that have historically ranked among the highest per capita in the country.
The court maintains divisional offices to serve litigants across this expansive district, with clerk's office locations in Sacramento, Fresno, and Modesto. Cases are assigned to divisions based on the debtor's county of residence or principal place of business.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of California. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Divisions
Sacramento Division (Sacramento), Fresno Division (Fresno), Modesto Division (Modesto)
Caseload
The Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court consistently handles one of the highest volumes of bankruptcy filings in the United States, with a substantial proportion of consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. Agricultural business reorganizations and cases involving the region's farming and food processing industries also appear with regularity on the court's docket.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California in order to appear in the bankruptcy court. The court also requires registration for electronic filing through the CM/ECF system.
Clerk's Office
Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse, 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 930-4400
Local Rules
57 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.