United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa is a unit of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, operating within the Eighth Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses located in the northern portion of Iowa, administering proceedings under Title 11 of the United States Code.
The Northern District of Iowa covers the northern counties of the state, with Cedar Rapids serving as the primary location for the bankruptcy court. The district is largely rural in character, though it includes several mid-sized cities and a mix of agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial enterprises that shape the nature of cases filed.
As a bankruptcy court, it handles all chapters of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer and family fisherman cases, and Chapter 13 individual repayment plans. Chapter 12 filings can be notable in this district given the agricultural character of the region.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Northern District of Iowa. 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 caseload reflects the agricultural and rural economy of northern Iowa, with Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcy cases representing a notable component alongside the more common Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer filings.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa to appear in the bankruptcy court. Local rules and the court's CM/ECF requirements also govern practice before the court.
Clerk's Office
111 Seventh Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 286-2200
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.