Louisiana Bankruptcy Law
Bankruptcy Courts in Louisiana
If you live in Louisiana and are considering filing for bankruptcy, your case will be handled in one of the state’s three federal bankruptcy courts:
- Eastern District of Louisiana – based in New Orleans
- Middle District of Louisiana – based in Baton Rouge
- Western District of Louisiana – based in Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Monroe
You’ll file your case in the district that covers the parish where you live or where your main property or business is located.
All bankruptcy cases in Louisiana follow federal bankruptcy law, but each district has its own local rules and filing procedures. Decisions are guided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which also covers Texas and Mississippi. Because local procedures and trustee practices can differ, it’s best to work with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can make sure your case is filed correctly and your property is fully protected.
Bankruptcy Filing Trends in Louisiana
Louisiana courts handle several thousand consumer bankruptcy filings each year. Most are Chapter 7 cases, which discharge unsecured debts such as credit-card balances and medical bills. Chapter 13 repayment plans are also common for homeowners and wage earners seeking to keep property while catching up on overdue payments.
The Eastern District (New Orleans) typically records the highest filing volume, followed by the Western and Middle Districts. Each year, thousands of Louisianans use bankruptcy to stop creditor actions, prevent foreclosure, and begin rebuilding their finances.
Louisiana Exemptions — What You Can Keep
Filing for bankruptcy does not mean losing everything you own. Louisiana law protects certain exempt property, which includes the things you need to live and work. Exempt property is protected by law and cannot be taken or sold to pay creditors.
Louisiana does not permit the use of federal bankruptcy exemptions, meaning debtors must use exemptions provided by state law. A married couple filing jointly may each claim the full amount of every exemption in property they jointly own.
Below are examples of the most common exemptions available to Louisiana residents:
| Type of Property | Amount You Can Protect (Individual / Joint) |
|---|---|
| Homestead – up to 5 acres in a city or town and 200 acres elsewhere | $35,000 / $70,000 (100 % if obligation from catastrophic illness or injury) |
| Household goods, furnishings, and clothing | Reasonable amount needed for the family |
| Wedding or engagement rings | $5,000 / $10,000 |
| Motor vehicle (one per household) | $7,500 / $15,000 |
| Motor vehicle modified for a physical disability (one per household) | $7,500 / $15,000 |
| Tools, instruments, and books of trade; one utility trailer | Reasonable value |
| Household pets, one cow, and family poultry or fowl | Reasonable value |
| Firearms and ammunition | $2,500 / $5,000 |
| Retirement and pension benefits – state, teacher, municipal, and other plans | 100 % (except for support obligations) |
| Life-insurance and annuity proceeds | 100 % |
| Workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits | 100 % |
| Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit | 100 % |
| Crime-victim compensation and public assistance | 100 % |
| Education savings accounts | 100 % |
Because Louisiana exemption law contains many category-specific provisions, it’s important to consult a bankruptcy attorney to ensure all available protections are claimed correctly.
Steps and Local Requirements
Credit counseling. Before filing, you must complete a short credit counselling course from an approved provider. A second debtor education course is required before discharge.
Means test. To qualify for Chapter 7, your household income must be below Louisiana’s median or pass a means-test calculation comparing income and expenses.
Filing fees. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. You can ask to pay in installments or apply for a waiver if you can’t pay in full.
Meeting of creditors. About a month after filing, you’ll attend a brief “341 meeting.” It’s not held before a judge. A bankruptcy trustee will confirm your identity and review your paperwork.
In Louisiana, meetings are typically held virtually or in person in the city where your case was filed, such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, or Monroe.
Local rules and forms. Each district has its own local rules posted on its website. Following them carefully helps your case move forward without delay.
What This Means for You
Filing for bankruptcy in Louisiana can provide a fresh financial start and immediate relief from creditor pressure. The automatic stay stops lawsuits, foreclosures, wage garnishments, and repossessions.
Most filers keep their homes, vehicles, and retirement savings. Because bankruptcy involves complex eligibility rules, strict deadlines, local procedures, and specific property protections under Louisiana law, it’s best to consult an experienced bankruptcy attorney before filing.
An attorney can help you:
- Decide whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is right for you
- Apply Louisiana’s exemptions correctly
- Complete required credit-counseling courses
- File all forms accurately and meet local deadlines
With the right preparation and legal guidance, bankruptcy can help you eliminate unmanageable debt and begin rebuilding financial stability.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Louisiana
Federal Circuit: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Court Location: New Orleans
Where You File Depends on Where You Live
The Eastern District of Louisiana serves residents of southeast Louisiana. All bankruptcy cases are filed and administered through the courthouse in New Orleans, which handles every parish within the district.
Parishes Served
Jefferson Parish
Lafourche Parish
Orleans Parish
Plaquemines Parish
St. Bernard Parish
St. Charles Parish
St. John the Baptist Parish
St. Tammany Parish
Terrebonne Parish
If you’re unsure whether your parish is part of this district, a bankruptcy attorney can confirm where to file and make sure your case meets local requirements.
Recent Filing Statistics
The Eastern District, based in New Orleans, consistently reports the highest bankruptcy filing volume in Louisiana. Chapter 7 cases make up most filings, followed by Chapter 13 repayment plans filed by homeowners and wage earners seeking to prevent foreclosure or repossession.
Each year, thousands of residents across the New Orleans area use bankruptcy to stop creditor actions and take the first step toward financial recovery.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Middle District of Louisiana
Federal Circuit: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Court Location: Baton Rouge
Where You File Depends on Where You Live
The Middle District of Louisiana covers the central portion of the state. All bankruptcy cases are filed through the Baton Rouge courthouse, which handles the following parishes:
Ascension Parish
Assumption Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Feliciana Parish
Iberville Parish
Livingston Parish
Pointe Coupee Parish
St. Helena Parish
Tangipahoa Parish
Washington Parish
West Baton Rouge Parish
West Feliciana Parish
If you’re uncertain whether your parish is part of this district, an experienced bankruptcy attorney can confirm your filing location and help ensure your forms and schedules meet local rules.
Recent Filing Statistics
The Middle District, based in Baton Rouge, handles several thousand bankruptcy cases each year. Chapter 7 filings remain most common, while Chapter 13 repayment plans are often used by homeowners and individuals with regular income.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Western District of Louisiana
Federal Circuit: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Court Locations: Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe
Where You File Depends on Where You Live
The Western District of Louisiana covers the western and northern parts of the state and has multiple courthouse locations. Each division serves specific parishes.
Shreveport Division
- Bienville Parish
- Bossier Parish
- Caddo Parish
- Claiborne Parish
- DeSoto Parish
- Natchitoches Parish
- Red River Parish
- Sabine Parish
- Webster Parish
Alexandria Division
- Avoyelles Parish
- Catahoula Parish
- Concordia Parish
- Grant Parish
- LaSalle Parish
- Rapides Parish
- Vernon Parish
- Winn Parish
Lafayette Division
- Acadia Parish
- Evangeline Parish
- Iberia Parish
- Lafayette Parish
- St. Landry Parish
- St. Martin Parish
- St. Mary Parish
- Vermilion Parish
Lake Charles Division
- Allen Parish
- Beauregard Parish
- Calcasieu Parish
- Cameron Parish
- Jefferson Davis Parish
Monroe Division
- Caldwell Parish
- East Carroll Parish
- Franklin Parish
- Jackson Parish
- Lincoln Parish
- Madison Parish
- Morehouse Parish
- Ouachita Parish
- Richland Parish
- Tensas Parish
- Union Parish
- West Carroll Parish
If you’re unsure where your parish falls, a bankruptcy attorney can identify the correct division and help ensure your filing complies with local procedures.
Recent Filing Statistics
The Western District of Louisiana reports steady bankruptcy activity each year, with Lafayette and Shreveport accounting for the largest number of cases. Chapter 7 filings remain the most frequent, while Chapter 13 plans are also widely used to prevent foreclosure and manage secured debts.