United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana is a unit of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, operating within the Seventh Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals, businesses, and other entities located within the southern portion of Indiana, administering cases under Title 11 of the United States Code across all chapters, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman cases, and Chapter 13 wage earner plans.
The Southern District of Indiana encompasses a geographically diverse area that includes Indianapolis, the state capital and largest city, as well as communities in the central, southern, and southwestern regions of the state. The court maintains divisional offices to serve filers and practitioners across this territory.
As a federal bankruptcy court, it operates separately from the district court but draws its judges through appointment by the judges of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Bankruptcy judges serve 14-year terms and handle the full range of bankruptcy proceedings and related adversary proceedings within the district.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Indiana. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Divisions
Indianapolis Division (Indianapolis), Terre Haute Division (Terre Haute), Evansville Division (Evansville), New Albany Division (New Albany)
Caseload
The court processes a substantial volume of consumer bankruptcy filings, particularly Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, reflecting the demographics of central and southern Indiana. The Indianapolis Division handles the majority of filings given the population concentration in the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to appear in the bankruptcy court. Local rules and CM/ECF registration requirements also apply to practitioners filing cases or documents in this court.
Clerk's Office
46 East Ohio Street, Room 116, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 229-3800
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.