United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio

6th Circuit Columbus, Ohio

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio is a unit of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and operates within the Sixth Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals, businesses, and other entities located within the southern portion of Ohio, including major population centers such as Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton.

The district covers a geographically diverse area spanning urban and rural counties in central and southwestern Ohio. Cases are administered under Title 11 of the United States Code, encompassing all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 proceedings.

The court maintains divisional offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton to serve the distinct regions of the district. It is among the busier bankruptcy courts in the Sixth Circuit, reflecting the size and economic diversity of its jurisdiction.

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

Divisions

Columbus Division (Columbus), Cincinnati Division (Cincinnati), Dayton Division (Dayton)

Caseload

The court handles a substantial volume of consumer bankruptcy filings, particularly Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, alongside significant Chapter 11 business reorganizations arising from the district's mix of urban and rural economic activity.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in order to appear before the bankruptcy court. Admission to the Ohio bar is generally a prerequisite.

Clerk's Office

170 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 469-6638

Local Rules

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

Civil Rules 24

Rule	Title
7001–1	ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS — GENERAL
7003–1	COVER SHEET
7004–1	SERVICE OF PROCESS
7004–2	SUMMONS
7005–1	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (APs)
7005–2	FILING OF DISCOVERY MATERIALS
7007.1–1	FINANCIAL DISCL. BY CORP. PARTY
7007–1	MOTION PRACTICE (APs)
7008–1	CORE/NON–CORE DESIGNATION (Complaint)
7012–1	CORE/NON–CORE DESIGNATION (Responsive Pleading)
7016–1	PRETRIAL PROCEDURES
7023–1	CLASS ACTION
7024–1	INTERVENTION
7024–2	UNCONSTITUTIONALITY, CLAIM OF
7026–1	DISCOVERY — GENERAL
7030–1	DEPOSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (APs)
7040–1	ASSIGNMENT OF ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS
7052–1	FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
7054–1	COSTS & ATTORNEY FEES — TAXATION/PAYMENT
7055–1	DEFAULT — FAILURE TO PROSECUTE
7056–1	SUMMARY JUDGMENT
7065–1	INJUNCTIONS
7067–1	REGISTRY FUND
7069–1	JUDGMENT — PAYMENT OF

General Rules 165

Rule	Title
1002–1	PETITION — GENERAL
1004-1	PETITION — PARTNERSHIP
1004.2-1	PETITION – CHAPTER 15
1005–1	PETITION — CAPTION
1006–1	FEES — INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS
1007–1	LISTS, SCHEDULES AND STATEMENTS
1007–2	MAILING — LIST OR MATRIX (Hard Copy and Disk)
1007–3	STATEMENT OF INTENTION
1007–4	FINANCIAL DISCL. BY CORP. DEBTOR
1007–5	STATEMENT OF SSN - (SUBMISSION & PRIVACY)
1009–1	AMENDMENTS TO LISTS AND SCHEDULES
1010–1	PETITION — INVOLUNTARY
1014–1	TRANSFER OF CASES
1014–2	VENUE — CHANGE OF
1015–1	JOINT ADMINISTRATION/CONSOLIDATION
1015–2	RELATED CASES
1016-1	DEATH OF DEBTOR
1017–1	CONVERSION — REQUEST FOR/NOTICE OF
1017–2	DISMISSAL OR SUSPENSION — CASE OR PROCEEDINGS
1019–1	CONVERSION — PROCEDURE FOLLOWING
1020–1	CHAPTER 11 SMALL BUSINESS CASES — GENERAL
1070–1	JURISDICTION
1071–1	DIVISIONS — BANKRUPTCY COURT
1072–1	PLACES OF HOLDING COURT
1073–1	ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
1074–1	CORPORATIONS (AND OTHER BUSINESS ENTITIES)
2002–1	NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
2002–2	NOTICE TO THE UNITED STATES OR FEDERAL AGENCY
2002–3	UNITED STATES AS CREDITOR OR PARTY
2003–1	MEETING OF CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS
2004–1	DEPOSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS
2007.1–1	TRUSTEES AND EXAMINERS (CHAPTER 11)
2010–1	TRUSTEES — BONDS/SURETY
2014–1	EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONALS
2015.1-1	HEALTH CARE BUSINESSES; PATIENT CARE OMBUDSMEN
2015.3-1	REPORTS ON ENTITIES IN WHICH CHAPTER 11 ESTATE OWNS AN INTEREST
2015–1	TRUSTEES — GENERAL
2015–2	DEBTOR–IN–POSSESSION DUTIES
2015–3	TRUSTEES — REPORTS AND DISPOSITION OF RECORDS
2015–4	TRUSTEES — CHAPTER 12
2015–5	TRUSTEES — CHAPTER 13
2016-2	COMPENSATION OF BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARERS
2016–1	COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONALS
2019–1	REPRESENTATION OF MULTIPLE PARTIES; DISCLOSABLE ECONOMIC INTERESTS
2020–1	UNITED STATES TRUSTEES
2070–1	ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
2071–1	COMMITTEES
2072–1	NOTICE TO OTHER COURTS
2080–1	CHAPTER 9
2081–1	CHAPTER 11 — GENERAL
2082–1	CHAPTER 12 — GENERAL
2083–1	CHAPTER 13—GENERAL
2084-1	CHAPTER 15 – GENERAL
3001–1	CLAIMS AND EQUITY SECURITY INTERESTS — GENERAL; ELECTRONIC FILING OF CLAIMS
3001–2	CLAIMS — SUPPORTING INFORMATION
3002.1–1	CLAIMS — SECURED BY A SECURITY INTEREST IN THE DEBTOR'S PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE – NOTICE AND DETERMINATION
3006–1	CLAIMS — WITHDRAWAL
3007–1	CLAIMS — OBJECTIONS
3008–1	CLAIMS — RECONSIDERATION
3009–1	DIVIDENDS — CHAPTER 7
3010–1	DIVIDENDS — SMALL
3011–1	UNCLAIMED FUNDS
3012–1	VALUATION OF COLLATERAL — (PERSONAL PROPERTY IN CHAPTER 13 CASES)
3015–1	CHAPTER 13 — PLAN
3015–2	CHAPTER 13 — AMENDMENTS TO PLAN AND MODIFICATIONS TO PLAN
3015–3	CHAPTER 13 — CONFIRMATION
3016–1	CHAPTER 11 — PLAN
3016–2	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — GENERAL
3017.1–21	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — SMALL BUSINESS CASE
3017–1	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — APPROVAL
3018–1	BALLOTS — VOTING ON PLANS
3018–2	ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF PLANS
3019–1	CHAPTER 11 — AMENDMENTS TO PLANS
3020–1	CHAPTER 11 — CONFIRMATION
3020–2	CHAPTER 11 — POSTCONFIRMATION PROCEDURES
3021–1	DIVIDENDS — UNDER PLAN (Chapter 11)
3022–1	FINAL REPORT/DECREE (Chapter 11)
3022–2	CHAPTER 13 DEBTOR CERTIFICATION REGARDING ISSUANCE OF DISCHARGE ORDER
3070–1	CHAPTER 13 — PAYMENTS
4001–1	AUTOMATIC STAY — RELIEF FROM AND CONTINUATION OR IMPOSITION OF
4001–2	CASH COLLATERAL
4001–3	OBTAINING CREDIT
4002–1	DEBTOR — DUTIES
4002–2	ADDRESS OF DEBTOR
4003–1	EXEMPTIONS
4003–2	LIEN AVOIDANCE
4004–1	DISCHARGE HEARINGS
4004–2	OBJECTIONS TO DISCHARGE
4007–1	DISCHARGEABILITY COMPLAINTS
4008–1	REAFFIRMATION
4070–1	INSURANCE
4071–1	AUTOMATIC STAY — VIOLATION OF
5001–1	COURT ADMINISTRATION
5001–2	CLERK — OFFICE LOCATION/HOURS
5003–1	CLERK — GENERAL/AUTHORITY
5003–2	COURT PAPERS — REMOVAL OF
5003–3	CLAIMS — REGISTER
5005–1	FILING PAPERS — REQUIREMENTS
5005–2	FILING PAPERS — NUMBER OF COPIES
5005–3	FILING PAPERS — SIZE OF PAPERS
5005–4	ELECTRONIC FILING
5009–1	FINAL REPORT/DECREE
5010–1	REOPENING CASES
5011–1	WITHDRAWAL OF REFERENCE
5011–2	ABSTENTION
5070–1	CALENDARS AND SCHEDULING
5071–1	CONTINUANCE
5072–1	COURTROOM DECORUM
5072–2	COURT SECURITY
5073–1	PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING DEVICES AND BROADCASTING
5075–1	CLERK — DELEGATED FUNCTIONS OF
5076–1	COURT REPORTING
5077–1	TRANSCRIPT
5078–1	COPIES — HOW TO ORDER
5080–1	FEES — GENERAL
5081–1	FEES — FORM OF PAYMENT
5090–1	JUDGES — VISITING AND RECALLED
5091–1	SIGNATURES — JUDGES
5092–1	SEAL OF COURT
5095–1	INVESTMENT OF ESTATE FUNDS
6004–1	SALE OF ESTATE PROPERTY
6005–1	APPRAISERS AND AUCTIONEERS
6006–1	EXECUTORY CONTRACTS
6007–1	ABANDONMENT
6008–1	REDEMPTION
6011–1	PATIENT RECORDS IN HEALTH CARE BUSINESS
6070–1	TAX RETURNS AND TAX REFUNDS
9001–1	DEFINITIONS
9003–1	EX PARTE CONTACT
9004–1	PAPERS — REQUIREMENTS OF FORMS
9004–2	CAPTION — PAPERS, GENERAL
9005.1-1	UNCONSTITUTIONALITY, CLAIM OF
9006–1	TIME PERIODS
9009–1	FORMS
9010–2	POWER OF ATTORNEY
9011–2	PRO SE PARTIES
9011–3	SANCTIONS
9011–4	SIGNATURES
9013–1	MOTION PRACTICE
9013–2	BRIEFS AND MEMORANDA OF LAW
9013–3	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — MOTIONS, APPLICATIONS, PLANS AND OTHER PAPERS
9014–1	CONTESTED MATTERS
9015–1	JURY TRIAL
9016–1	SUBPOENAS
9016–2	WITNESSES
9019–1	SETTLEMENTS AND AGREED ORDERS
9019–2	ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
9020–1	CONTEMPT
9021–1	JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS — ENTRY OF
9021–2	ORDERS — EFFECTIVE DATE
9022–1	JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS — NOTICE OF
9027–1	REMOVAL/REMAND
9029–2	LOCAL RULES — GENERAL ORDERS
9029–3	LOCAL RULES — DISTRICT COURT — GENERAL ORDERS
9033–1	REVIEW OF PROPOSED FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW (NON–CORE PROCEEDINGS)
9035–1	BANKRUPTCY ADMINISTRATORS
9036–1	NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
9037–1	PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS/PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR FILINGS; REDACTION; PROTECTIVE ORDERS
9070–1	EXHIBITS
9071–1	STIPULATIONS
9072–1	ORDERS — PROPOSED
9073–1	HEARINGS (Including Expedited Hearings)
9074–1	TELEPHONE AND VIDEO CONFERENCES
9075–1	EMERGENCY ORDERS
9076–1	ELECTRONIC SERVICE

Attorney Rules 5

Rule	Title
2090–1	ATTORNEYS — ADMISSION TO PRACTICE
2090–2	ATTORNEYS — DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSION AND DISBARMENT
2091–1	ATTORNEYS — WITHDRAWALS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
9010–1	ATTORNEYS — NOTICE OF APPEARANCE
9011–1	ATTORNEYS — DUTIES

Appellate Rules 54

Rule	Title
8001–1	NOTICE OF APPEAL
8001–2	DISMISSAL OF APPEAL (VOLUNTARY)
8001–3	ELECTION FOR DISTRICT COURT DETERMINATION OF APPEAL
8002–1	TIME FOR FILING APPEAL
8003–1	MOTION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL/NOTICE OF APPEAL
8003–2	DISMISSAL OF APPEAL BY COURT FOR NON-PROSECUTION
8003–4	DOCKETING OF APPEAL
8004–1	SERVICE OF NOTICE OF APPEAL/MOTION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL
8005–1	STAY PENDING APPEAL/ELECTION FOR DISTRICT COURT DETERMINATION OF APPEAL
8006–1	DESIGNATION OF RECORD — APPEAL/CERTIFYING DIRECT APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEALS
8007–1	COMPLETION OF RECORD — APPEAL/STAY PENDING APPEAL
8007–2	TRANSMISSION OF RECORD — APPEAL/CONTINUATION OF PROCEEDINGS IN BANKRUPTCY COURT
8007–3	DOCKETING OF APPEAL
8007–4	RECORD FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING — APPEAL
8008–1	FILING PAPERS — APPEAL/INDICATIVE RULINGS
8008–2	SERVICE OF ALL PAPERS REQUIRED — APPEAL
8008–3	MANNER OF SERVING PAPERS — APPEAL
8008–4	PROOF OF SERVICE OF FILED PAPERS — APPEAL
8009–1	TIME FOR FILING BRIEFS — APPEAL/DESIGNATION OF RECORD - APPEAL
8009–2	TIME FOR FILING APPENDIX TO BRIEF — APPEAL
8010–1	FORMS OF BRIEFS — APPEAL/COMPLETION OF RECORD - APPEAL
8010–2	REPRODUCTION OF STATUTES, ETC. — APPEAL/TRANSMISSION OF RECORD - APPEAL
8010–3	LENGTH OF BRIEFS — APPEAL/RECORD FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING - APPEAL
8011–1	MOTION, RESPONSE, REPLY — APPEAL/FILING PAPERS - APPEAL
8011–2	DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL MOTION — APPEAL/SERVICE OF ALL PAPERS REQUIRED - APPEAL
8011–3	DETERMINATION OF MOTION — APPEAL/MANNER OF SERVING PAPERS - APPEAL
8011–4	EMERGENCY MOTION — APPEAL/PROOF OF SERVICE OF FILED PAPERS - APPEAL
8011–5	POWER OF SINGLE JUDGE TO ENTERTAIN MOTIONS
8012–1	ORAL ARGUMENT — APPEAL
8013–1	DISPOSITION OF APPEAL/MOTION, RESPONSE, REPLY - APPEAL
8013–2	DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL MOTION - APPEAL
8013–3	DETERMINATION OF MOTION - APPEAL
8013–4	EMERGENCY MOTION - APPEAL
8013–5	POWER OF SINGLE JUDGE TO ENTERTAIN MOTIONS
8014–1	COSTS/FORM OF BRIEFS — APPEAL
8014–2	REPRODUCTION OF STATUTES, ETC. — APPEAL
8015–1	MOTION FOR REHEARING/LENGTH OF BRIEFS — APPEAL
8016–1	ENTRY OF JUDGMENT BY CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT OR BAP
8016–2	NOTICE OF ORDER OR JUDGMENT — APPEAL
8016–3	RETURN OF RECORD ON APPEAL
8017–1	STAY PENDING APPEAL TO COURT OF APPEALS
8018–1	LOCAL RULES OF CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COUNCIL OR DISTRICT COURT/TIME FOR FILING BRIEFS - APPEAL
8019–1	SUSPENSION OF PART VIII, FED. R. BANKR. P./ORAL ARGUMENTS - APPEAL
8020–1	DAMAGES AND COSTS FOR FRIVOLOUS APPEAL
8021–1	COSTS - APPEAL
8022–1	MOTION FOR REHEARING - APPEAL
8023–1	DISMISSAL OF APPEAL (VOLUNTARY)
8024–1	ENTRY OF JUDGMENT BY CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT OR BAP
8024–2	NOTICE OF ORDER OR JUDGMENT - APPEAL
8024–3	RETURN OF RECORD ON APPEAL
8025–1	STAY PENDING APPEAL TO COURT OF APPEALS
8026–1	LOCAL RULES OF CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COUNCIL OR DISTRICT COURT
8028–1	SUSPENSION OF PART VIII, FED. R. BANKR. P.
8070–1	DISMISSAL OF APPEAL BY COURT FOR NON-PROSECUTION

Other Courts in the 6th Circuit

Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan Detroit, Michigan Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Michigan Grand Rapids, Michigan Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee