United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Washington
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington is a unit of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, operating within the Ninth Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses located in the eastern portion of Washington State, covering counties east of the Cascades including Spokane, Yakima, Benton, Franklin, and surrounding areas.
The Eastern District of Washington encompasses a geographically large and economically diverse region, including agricultural communities in the Columbia Basin, the Yakima Valley, and the urban center of Spokane. The court handles cases under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, including Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 11 reorganization, and Chapter 13 wage earner plans.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Washington. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Caseload
The court's docket reflects the agricultural and small business character of the region, with a notable proportion of Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman cases alongside consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings. Business reorganization cases under Chapter 11 are also filed here, reflecting the district's mix of rural and urban economic activity.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington in order to appear before the bankruptcy court. Local rules and electronic filing registration requirements also apply.
Clerk's Office
904 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 304, Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 458-5300
Local Rules
83 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.