How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Kentucky
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Kentucky wipes out debts like credit cards and medical bills, giving you a fresh start. You can file yourself or work with a bankruptcy attorney. Most people keep their car and other essential belongings using Kentucky or federal exemptions.
Get Free Attorney ConsultationFiling bankruptcy in Kentucky can feel overwhelming. Many people do it on their own. You can too. This guide shows you how to gather your paperwork, take required courses, fill out forms, and file everything with the court. You’ll learn how to protect your belongings using Kentucky or federal bankruptcy exemptions. Whether you file yourself or speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free, you’ll feel confident every step of the way.
How To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Kentucky
Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. It gives you a real fresh start. Follow these steps to file without a lawyer.
Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Kentucky?
Find out if you qualify for Chapter 7 debt discharge. Free consultation with a Kentucky bankruptcy attorney. Get answers in minutes.
Check Your Eligibility NowCollect Your Kentucky Bankruptcy Documents
You need several important documents to start your case. Some are required by the court or trustee. Others help you fill out forms accurately.
The court and trustee require:
- Your most recent 60 days of pay stubs
- Federal income tax returns from the past two years
- A bank statement that includes your bankruptcy filing date
Gather these to make things easier:
- 6-12 months of bank statements track your income and spending
- Recent credit card, loan, and collection notices help you list debts
- A current credit report shows who you owe
You can get a free credit report every week from AnnualCreditReport.com.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
After collecting documents and finishing credit counseling, complete your bankruptcy forms. Federal forms are the same in every state. You can download free PDFs from USCourts.gov.
A bankruptcy attorney will complete and file the forms for you. Some bankruptcy courts have local forms or requirements. Check the district-specific sections below for details.
Take the Required Credit Counseling Course
Before filing, take a credit counseling course from an approved provider. The class covers budgeting, credit basics, and how bankruptcy works.
Key details:
- Takes less than two hours online, by phone, or in person
- Costs $10-$50, but fee waivers are available if you can’t pay
- Must be completed within 180 days before you file
- Include your certificate when you file or risk dismissal
Get Your Filing Fee or Fee Waiver Form
The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Many people qualify for a fee waiver. You need income below 150% of the federal poverty guideline.
A bankruptcy attorney can help determine if you qualify. If you don’t qualify for a waiver and can’t pay $338 upfront, ask the court about installment payments. Filing triggers an automatic stay that stops most collection efforts, including wage garnishment.
Missing a payment may result in case dismissal.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
Unless your local court allows electronic filing, print everything. Print two copies: one for the court, one for your records.
Follow these guidelines:
- Use white 8.5″ x 11″ paper
- Print in black ink only
- Print single-sided pages only
- Don’t staple or hole-punch pages
- Sign everywhere a signature is required
Review the Chapter 7 document checklist to ensure nothing is missing.
File Your Forms With Kentucky Bankruptcy Court
Once forms are printed and payment is ready, file your case. You can file by mail, in person, or online in some districts.
Many filers go in person when possible. A clerk can check your forms immediately. Your case gets entered more quickly. You avoid mail delays.
Each district handles filing differently. Check the specific instructions below for your district.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
The court assigns a bankruptcy trustee to oversee your case. You’ll receive the trustee’s name and contact details in the official notice.
Send these documents 14 days before your meeting:
- Federal income tax returns for the last two years
- Bank statement covering the filing date for all accounts
- Valid government-issued photo ID and Social Security proof
- Recent pay stubs
Each trustee may request different or additional documents. Follow their instructions carefully and provide documents on time.
Take a Financial Management Course
Before the court can discharge your debts, complete a debtor education course. The course teaches basic money skills to help you after bankruptcy.
Complete it within 60 days after your 341 meeting. File your certificate on time or your case may be dismissed. Your debts won’t be erased if dismissed.
Use a state-approved provider for the course. Some companies offer both required courses at a discount.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
The 341 meeting happens about a month after you file. You’ll speak with the bankruptcy trustee assigned to your case. Most meetings are held online via Zoom. Sometimes they’re in person or by phone.
You’ll get a notice with the date, time, and instructions. The meeting isn’t a court hearing. You won’t see a judge.
Bring two things: government-issued photo ID and Social Security documentation. The trustee asks simple questions about your paperwork. Creditors can join but rarely do. Most meetings finish in 10 minutes or less.
Deal With Your Car
Most filers keep their car in bankruptcy. Whether you keep yours depends on your car’s value, loan status, and exemptions.
If you’re making loan payments, you have three options:
- Reaffirm the loan: Keep the car and continue payments normally. Good if you’re current and the loan fits your budget.
- Redeem the car: Pay the current market value in one lump sum. The remaining loan balance gets wiped out. Good if you’re underwater and can pay the lump sum.
- Surrender the car: Give the car back to the lender. The remaining loan is erased. Common if you’re behind on payments or owe more than the car’s worth.
If you own your car outright, you can usually keep it. Kentucky allows a $2,500 motor vehicle exemption. You can use part of the $1,000 wildcard exemption to protect more value.
Kentucky Bankruptcy Means Test
Chapter 7 bankruptcy helps people who can’t afford to pay debts. Everyone who files must take a means test. The test has two steps.
Step 1: Compare your average monthly income to Kentucky’s median income for your household size. If your income is below the median, you pass. You can file Chapter 7.
Step 2: If your income is above the median, the test factors in necessary living expenses. It calculates your disposable income available for debt. Not enough to pay debts? You may still qualify for Chapter 7. Enough to pay? You may need Chapter 13 instead.
Kentucky Fee Waiver Eligibility for 2025
You qualify for a fee waiver when income is under 150% of the poverty level:
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,255 | $1,883 |
| 2 | $1,703 | $2,555 |
| 3 | $2,152 | $3,228 |
| 4 | $2,600 | $3,900 |
Kentucky Districts and Filing Requirements
Kentucky has two bankruptcy districts. Each has its own filing requirements and payment rules. Find your county below to see which district handles your case.
| District | Courthouse Division | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern District of KY | Ashland | Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Morgan, Rowan |
| Covington | Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Mason, Pendleton, Robertson | |
| Frankfort | Anderson, Carroll, Franklin, Henry, Owen, Shelby, Trimble | |
| Lexington | Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Breathitt, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Wolfe, Woodford | |
| London | Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, McCreary, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne, Whitley | |
| Pikeville | Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Pike | |
| Western District of KY | Bowling Green | Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Warren |
| Louisville | Breckinridge, Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Spencer, Washington | |
| Owensboro | Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union, Webster | |
| Paducah | Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, Marshall, Trigg |
Eastern District of Kentucky Requirements
The Eastern District has six divisions: Ashland, Covington, Frankfort, Lexington, London, and Pikeville. Your county determines which division handles your case.
You can file online, by mail, or in person. The district offers two online tools:
- eSR (Electronic Self-Representation): Helps you prepare and file a new Chapter 7 case. Gives you 45 days to complete forms.
- eDS (Electronic Document Submission): Email follow-up documents after filing. Send hand-signed documents as one PDF file.
If you file by mail, send to:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Kentucky
100 East Vine Street, Suite 200
Lexington, Kentucky 40507-1430
If you file in person, go to your local division courthouse.
Eastern District: Local Forms and Filing Fees
The Eastern District requires specific creditor matrix formatting. Missing or incorrect matrices can delay or dismiss your case. Check the court’s Local Forms page for any additional forms.
Pay the $338 filing fee in person using money order, certified check, cashier’s check, or exact cash. Make payments to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
You can mail payments using certified check or money order. The court isn’t responsible for lost cash or payments.
Installment payments of $84.50 go directly to the Clerk’s Office. Use money order, cashier’s check, or certified check. Make your first payment when you file or shortly after. Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted.
Western District of Kentucky Requirements
The Western District has four divisions: Bowling Green, Louisville, Owensboro, and Paducah. You must submit all forms and fees in person or by mail to Louisville. Only the Louisville location accepts filings from self-represented filers.
If you file by mail, send to:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
601 West Broadway, Suite 450
Louisville, KY 40202
If you file in person, go to:
Gene Snyder Courthouse
601 West Broadway, Suite 450
Louisville, KY 40202
The court has a helpful guide for pro se filers on their website.
Western District: Local Forms and Filing Fees
Most Chapter 7 filers use national bankruptcy forms. The Western District has a few local forms that may apply:
- Motion and Order to Extend Time for Credit Counseling
- Motion and Order to Avoid Lien
- Creditor matrix following district formatting rules
Pay the filing fee in person or by mail using cashier’s check, certified check, or money order payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Include a note explaining your payment purpose when mailing. Personal checks, cash, and credit cards aren’t accepted.
Kentucky Bankruptcy Exemptions
Bankruptcy exemptions protect certain property from being taken to pay debts. You keep what you need to live and work, like clothing, household items, and a car.
In Kentucky, choose either state exemptions or federal exemptions. You can’t use both. If you’ve lived in Kentucky for at least two years, compare both sets. Choose the one that protects more of your property. Many filers choose federal exemptions, which are more generous in most cases.
Here’s how the main exemptions compare:
| Property Type | Kentucky Exemption | Federal Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Home (Homestead) | $5,000 | $31,575 for individuals (double if married filing jointly) |
| Car (Motor Vehicle) | $2,500 | $4,450 |
| Wildcard | $1,000 | $1,475, plus up to $13,950 of unused homestead exemption |
Amounts change over time. Check current numbers before filing.
Kentucky Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Kentucky costs between $1,100 and $2,000 for Chapter 7. Most lawyers charge a flat fee, not hourly. Some filers find it worth the cost if they own a home or have a complicated case. You can also speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to explore your options.
Kentucky Legal Aid Organizations
Can’t afford a lawyer? You may get free help from a legal aid organization. Kentucky has four legal aid programs for people with low incomes. Legal aid lawyers can answer questions and guide you through bankruptcy if you qualify.