United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida

11th Circuit Miami, Florida

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida is a unit of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, operating within the Eleventh Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed under Title 11 of the United States Code by individuals and entities located within the Southern District of Florida, which encompasses Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Highlands, and Indian River counties, among others.

The Southern District of Florida is one of the busier bankruptcy districts in the country, reflecting the size and economic activity of its geographic area. The court handles all chapters of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman cases, and Chapter 13 individual repayment plans. Chapter 11 complex business reorganizations represent a significant portion of the court's docket, as the district has become a recognized venue for large corporate restructurings.

The court maintains divisional offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach to serve the geographic breadth of the district. Judges are appointed under Article I of the Constitution for fourteen-year terms and hear matters referred by the district court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 157.

Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Florida. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.

Divisions

Miami Division (Miami), Fort Lauderdale Division (Fort Lauderdale), West Palm Beach Division (West Palm Beach)

Caseload

The court handles a high volume of consumer and business bankruptcy filings across a densely populated multi-county region. It is recognized as a significant venue for complex Chapter 11 corporate reorganizations involving large domestic and international debtors.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in order to appear before the Bankruptcy Court. The court also requires registration for the court's CM/ECF electronic filing system for attorneys who file documents.

Clerk's Office

51 SW First Avenue, Miami, FL 33130

(305) 714-1800

Local Rules

The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

Civil Rules 18

Rule	Title
Rule 7003-1	Commencement of Adversary Proceedings
Rule 7004-1	[Note: 7004-1 is a reserved rule number]
Rule 7004-2	Summons in Adversary Proceeding. Alias Summons
Rule 7012-1	[Note: 7012-1 is a reserved rule number.]
Rule 7016-1	Pretrial Procedure
Rule 7026-1	Discovery - General
Rule 7026-2	E-Discovery
Rule 7030-2	Depositions Upon Oral Examination - Reasonable Notice of Taking Depositions
Rule 7041-1	Dismissal of Adversary Proceeding
Rule 7054-1	Taxation of Costs by Clerk; Deadline for Motions for Attorney Fees and Motions for Costs Requiring Court Order
Rule 7055-1	Default
Rule 7056-1	Notice to Individuals Regarding Opposing Motions for Summary Judgment
Rule 7067-1	Registry Funds; Deposit in Court
Rule 7069-1	Execution
Rule 7090-1	Continuance of Status Conference and Pretrial Conference and Trial
Rule 9015-1	Pleading and Responding to Jury Trial Demand
Rule 9016-1	Subpoenas from Cases in Other Districts
Rule 9027-1	Removal; Deadline for Motion to Remand

General Rules 105

Rule	Title
Rule 1002-1	Commencement of Case
Rule 1003-1	Involuntary Petitions
Rule 1004.1-1	Filing on Debtor's Behalf by a Court-Appointed Representative, Holder of Power of Attorney, or Proposed Guardian Ad Litem
Rule 1006-1	Installment Payments and Chapter 7 Fee Waivers
Rule 1007-1	Lists, Schedules, Statements and Other Required Documents; Extension of Time to File
Rule 1007-2	Mailing - List or Matrix
Rule 1007-3	Statement of Intention
Rule 1009-1	Amendments to Petitions, Lists, Schedules, and Statements
Rule 1010-1	Summons in Involuntary Cases
Rule 1013-1	Hearing and Disposition in Involuntary Cases
Rule 1014-1	Transfer of Cases
Rule 1015-1	Joint Administration or Transfer; Substantive Consolidation
Rule 1017-1	Conversion - Request for/Notice of
Rule 1017-2	Dismissal of a Case
Rule 1019-1	Conversion and Reconversion - Procedure Following
Rule 1071-1	Divisions - Bankruptcy Court
Rule 1073-1	Divisional and Judicial Assignment of Cases
Rule 1074-1	Corporations
Rule 1075-1	Clerk's Notice to Consumer Debtors Required Under 11 U.S.C. §342(b)
Rule 2002-1	Notices
Rule 2003-1	Meeting of Creditors
Rule 2004-1	Examinations of Debtor and Others
Rule 2007-1	Committee Access to Information
Rule 2014-1	Employment of Professionals
Rule 2015-1	Reports
Rule 2016-1	Compensation for Services Rendered and Reimbursement of Expenses
Rule 2081-1	Chapter 11 - General
Rule 2082-1	Chapter 12 - Final Decree and Discharge
Rule 2083-1	Chapter 13 - General
Rule 3001-1	Proof of Claim
Rule 3002-1	Filing Proof of Claim or Interest in Chapter 7, 12, or 13 Cases
Rule 3002.1-1	Notice of Payment Changes and Notice of Fees, Expenses and Charges ("3002.1 Notices")
Rule 3003-1	Filing Proof of Claim or Interest in Chapter 11 Cases
Rule 3007-1	Objections to Claims
Rule 3009-1	Preparation, Filing and Service of Final Report by Trustee. Deadline for Objection to Report of Estate.
Rule 3010-1	Deposit of Small Dividends
Rule 3011-1	Unclaimed Funds
Rule 3012-1	Valuation of Collateral
Rule 3015-1	Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 Plans
Rule 3015-2	Amendments to Chapter 13 Plans
Rule 3015-3	Chapter 13 Valuation of Collateral. Chapter 13 Confirmation
Rule 3016-1	Abrogated
Rule 3016-2	Filing of Plan and Disclosure Statement in Standard Chapter 11 Cases
Rule 3017-1	Disclosure Statement and Confirmation Hearing – Standard Chapter 11 Cases
Rule 3017-2	Conditional Approval of Disclosure Statement for Small Business Cases
Rule 3017-3	Abrogated
Rule 3018-1	Ballots. Voting on Chapter 11 Plan - Deadline
Rule 3020-1	Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plans
Rule 3022-1	Final Decree in Chapter 11 Cases
Rule 3070-1	Chapter 13 Payments
Rule 4001-1	Relief From Automatic Stay
Rule 4001-2	Cash Collateral
Rule 4001-3	Obtaining Credit
Rule 4002-1	Debtor's Duty to Provide Tax Returns to Trustee and Creditors
Rule 4003-1	Exemptions
Rule 4003-2	Avoidance of Liens on Exempt Property
Rule 4004-1	[Note: 4004-1 is a reserved rule number]
Rule 4004-2	Modification of Deadline for Objections to Discharge
Rule 4004-3	Discharge in General
Rule 4006-1	Notice of No Discharge or Waiver or Revocation of Discharge
Rule 4007-1	Modification of Deadline for Objecting to Dischargeability of a Debt
Rule 4008-1	Reaffirmation
Rule 5001-1	Court Administration - Acting Chief Judge; Alternate Judge
Rule 5001-2	Clerk's Office Locations. Access to Clerk's Office for Emergency or Time Sensitive Filings
Rule 5005-1	Filing and Transmittal of Papers
Rule 5005-3	Filing Papers - Size of Papers
Rule 5005-4	Electronic Filing
Rule 5007-1	Interpreters; Services for Persons with Communications Disabilities
Rule 5010-1	Reopening Cases
Rule 5011-1	Motions to Withdraw Reference
Rule 5011-2	Abstention
Rule 5071-1	Continuances
Rule 5072-2	Court Security
Rule 5073-1	Photography, Recording, and Broadcasting - Use of Devices Prohibited
Rule 5080-1	Fees
Rule 5081-1	Fees - Form of Payment
Rule 5091-1	Signatures. Judges
Rule 6004-1	Sale of Property
Rule 6005-1	Auctioneers
Rule 6006-1	Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
Rule 6007-1	Abandonment of Property
Rule 9004-1	Requirements for Form and Style of Papers
Rule 9004-2	Caption - Papers
Rule 9005-1	Harmless Errors in Setting Deadlines
Rule 9009-1	Local Forms
Rule 9010-1	Notice of Appearance
Rule 9011-1	Signatures and Document Retention
Rule 9011-4	Identification and Certification of Attorney; and Verification of Debtor's Social Security Number
Rule 9013-1	Motions
Rule 9013-2	[Note: 9013-2 is a reserved rule number]
Rule 9013-3	Certificate of Service
Rule 9014-1	Contested Matters
Rule 9019-1	Settlement of Matters
Rule 9019-2	Mediation
Rule 9021-1	Judgments and Orders - Entry of
Rule 9036-1	Notice by Electronic Transmission
Rule 9037-1	Procedure for Requiring the Filing of Redacted Documents
Rule 9070-1	Exhibits
Rule 9071-1	[Note: 9071-1 is a reserved rule number]
Rule 9071-2	Referral of Pro Se Parties to Pro Bono Representation
Rule 9072-1	Orders - Proposed
Rule 9073-1	Hearings
Rule 9074-1	Appearance by Telephone
Rule 9075-1	Emergency Motions
Rule 9076-1	Electronic Service

Attorney Rules 3

Rule	Title
Rule 2090-1	Attorneys
Rule 2090-2	Attorney Discipline
Rule 2091-1	Attorneys – Changes in Attorney of Record for Parties in Cases or Proceedings

Appellate Rules 7

Rule	Title
Rule 8002-1	Time for Filing Notice of Appeal
Rule 8003-1	Notice of Appeal. Required Content and Fee
Rule 8004-1	Motions for Leave to Appeal
Rule 8007-1	Motions for Stay Pending Appeal
Rule 8009-1	Record and Issues on Appeal
Rule 8010-3	Determination of Motion - Appeal
Rule 8021-1	Taxation of Appellate Costs by Clerk

Other Courts in the 11th Circuit

Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Alabama Montgomery, Alabama Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida Tampa, Florida Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Georgia Macon, Georgia Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama Birmingham, Alabama Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia Atlanta, Georgia Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Alabama Mobile, Alabama Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Georgia Savannah, Georgia