How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Louisiana (2025 Guide)

The average Louisianan carries over $5,800 in credit card debt. High-interest credit cards and medical bills can feel overwhelming.

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy gives you a fresh start. You can wipe out credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. Many people with simple cases file on their own for free.

This guide walks you through each step. You’ll learn how to gather documents, complete forms, and attend your trustee meeting. We’ll also explain Louisiana’s property protection rules for your home and car.

Steps To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Louisiana

Collect Your Louisiana Bankruptcy Documents

Getting your paperwork together is the first important step. Having the right documents makes filling out forms easier and avoids delays.

Some documents are required by the court or trustee:

• Pay stubs or proof of income from the past six months
• Tax returns from the past two years
• A bank statement that includes your filing date

These documents aren’t required but help you complete your forms:

• Bank statements from the past 6-12 months
• Credit card and loan statements
• Letters or bills from debt collectors
• A recent credit report

You can get a free credit report from each major bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

You’ll need to fill out federal forms that give the court your complete financial picture. These forms are the same across the country.

You can download them for free as fillable PDFs from USCourts.gov. Some courts also require local forms.

If you work with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll fill out the forms using your information. You’ll review and sign them before filing.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

Before filing your case, you must take a credit counseling course. This short class helps you understand your financial options.

Everyone filing Chapter 7 must complete the course within 180 days before filing.

Here are the details:

• Take the course online, by phone, or in person
• Use a court-approved course provider
• The course takes about an hour
• Cost is $10-$50, but many filers qualify for a fee waiver
• You’ll get a certificate of completion

You must file the certificate with your bankruptcy forms. Without it, the court may dismiss your case.

Get Your Filing Fee

The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. If you qualify for a fee waiver based on your income, you don’t pay the fee.

If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can apply to pay in installments. Submit a down payment when filing, then pay the rest over time.

Filers facing wage garnishment sometimes choose installment plans. The automatic stay stops most collections as soon as you file.

If you miss a payment, the court may dismiss your case. You won’t get a refund.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Two of Louisiana’s three bankruptcy districts allow online filing. If you prefer to submit forms in person or by mail, print them first.

Follow these printing tips:

• Use regular 8.5″ x 11″ white paper
• Print in black ink, single-sided only
• Don’t staple or hole-punch your forms
• Sign every page that requires your signature

If you hire a lawyer, they’ll file everything electronically. You won’t need to print or organize forms yourself.

File Your Forms With the Louisiana Bankruptcy Court

Louisiana has three federal bankruptcy districts. Each district has specific filing rules.

In every district, you can file in person. Two of three districts allow online or mail filing.

Many people prefer filing in person because it’s faster. The clerk can immediately tell you if anything is missing.

If filing in person, bring everything you need:

• Your completed bankruptcy forms
• Your credit counseling certificate
• Your filing fee or fee waiver application
• A valid photo ID

When you arrive, go through courthouse security. Then head to the clerk’s office to submit your paperwork.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After filing your Chapter 7 case, the court assigns a bankruptcy trustee. The trustee reviews your forms, verifies your financial information, and manages your case.

You’ll get your trustee’s name and contact information in an official court notice.

Before your 341 meeting, send these documents to your trustee:

• Your two most recent federal tax returns
• A bank statement that includes your bankruptcy filing date
• A clear copy of your photo ID
• Proof of your Social Security number
• Proof of current income, like a recent pay stub

Send these documents at least 14 days before your 341 meeting. If you don’t have a document, include a note explaining why.

Take the Second Required Course

After filing your case, take the debtor education course. It covers helpful tools and strategies for managing your money.

You must take this course from a court-approved provider. Complete it within 60 days after your 341 meeting.

Once you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion. You must file this certificate with the court. Without it, you won’t get a bankruptcy discharge.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after filing, you’ll attend the 341 meeting of creditors. The trustee verifies your identity and asks questions under oath about your forms.

Most meetings happen online via Zoom. Some may be by phone or in person. The court sends you a notice with date, time, and instructions.

You’ll need:

• A valid photo ID
• Proof of your Social Security number

The meeting is usually quick, about 10 minutes. The trustee asks simple follow-up questions about your income, property, or debts. Creditors rarely attend.

Deal With Your Car

In Louisiana, having a car is often essential. Many people worry about losing their vehicle when filing bankruptcy. Fortunately, most people keep their car.

Whether you can keep yours depends on:

• How much your car is worth
• Whether you own it outright, have a loan, or lease it
• What property exemptions you use

If you own your car outright, you can usually keep it if your equity is covered by Louisiana’s $7,500 vehicle exemption.

If you’re making loan payments, you have three choices:

• Reaffirm the loan: Sign a reaffirmation agreement with the lender. You keep the car and keep paying the loan. Your equity must be below $7,500.
• Redeem the car: Pay the lender the current fair market value in one lump sum. This saves money long-term but requires a large payment.
• Surrender the car: Give the car back to the lender. The bankruptcy wipes out the car loan.

Louisiana Bankruptcy Means Test

Chapter 7 eligibility is based on income. Something called a means test determines if you qualify.

The means test ensures people who file bankruptcy truly can’t repay their debts.

First, compare your income to the median income for your household size in Louisiana.

If your income is below the median, you pass the test. You can move forward with Chapter 7. Many people qualify at this first step.

If your income is higher than the median, the second part looks at your expenses and disposable income. This part is more complicated. Getting legal help is a good idea if you don’t qualify based on income alone.

Louisiana Districts & Filing Requirements

Louisiana is divided into three districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western. Your parish determines your filing district.

Most filing steps are similar. Each district has local rules about submitting documents and paying fees.

Eastern District of Louisiana Filing Requirements

The Eastern District covers 13 easternmost parishes: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington.

The courthouse is located in New Orleans.

If you live in this district and file without a lawyer, submit your forms in person, by mail, or online.

In person and mailing address:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
500 Poydras Street
Suite B-601
New Orleans, LA 70130

How To File Online in the Eastern District

File your case online using the Electronic Document Submission System or the Electronic Self-Representation system.

The EDSS is an online drop-box. Upload PDF copies of your completed bankruptcy documents.

The eSR is a free tool that walks you through Chapter 7 forms step by step. Complete and submit your petition online. Then print and deliver these items to court within 10 days:

• Declaration form: Confirms everything in your forms is true
• Statement of Social Security Number: Lists your full SSN
• Creditor mailing list: Lists everyone you owe with mailing addresses

Pay the $338 filing fee or submit a fee waiver. If neither works, ask to pay in installments. If approved, pay $75 within 10 days and the rest in monthly payments within 120 days.

Additional Requirements for the Eastern District

The Eastern District has local forms you may need. Find these on the court’s Local Forms page.

Pay your $338 filing fee with money order, cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or exact cash. Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted.

Middle District of Louisiana Requirements

The Middle District covers nine parishes in south-central Louisiana: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena.

The courthouse is in Baton Rouge. This court doesn’t accept filings by mail.

If you live in this district and file without a lawyer, submit forms in person or online.

In person address:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
707 Florida Street, Room 119
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Online Filing Option

The Middle District offers Electronic Self-Representation for people filing Chapter 7 without a lawyer. This tool guides you through forms step by step.

You can submit main forms online through eSR. You must still submit these forms in person within 10 days:

• Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Local Form 2)
• Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Self-Represented Individual)
• Statement of Social Security Number
• Creditor mailing list

Pay the $338 filing fee or submit a fee waiver or installment plan application.

Additional Requirements for the Middle District

The Middle District uses regular federal bankruptcy forms plus a few local forms. Find these on the Middle District’s Local Forms page.

Pay your $338 filing fee with money order, cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or exact cash. Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted.

Western District of Louisiana Requirements

The Western District is Louisiana’s largest. It has five divisions.

If you’re filing without a lawyer, file your forms in person or by mail. Use the correct court location based on where you live.

• Alexandria Division serves Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn parishes.
  • Address: Hemenway Building, 300 Jackson Street, Suite 116, Alexandria, LA 71301
• Lafayette Division serves Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermillion parishes.
  • Address: John M. Shaw United States Courthouse, 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 1200, Lafayette, LA 70501
• Lake Charles Division serves Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes.
  • No staffed bankruptcy clerk’s office. Use Lafayette office address.
• Monroe Division serves Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll parishes.
  • No staffed bankruptcy clerk’s office. Use Shreveport office address.
• Shreveport Division serves Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
  • Address: Tom Stagg United States Court House, 300 Fannin Street, Suite 2201, Shreveport, LA 71101

Additional Requirements for the Western District

Filers in the Western District use standard federal bankruptcy forms. The court has local rules and forms that may apply. Find these on the Western District’s Local Forms page.

Follow the court’s specific formatting rules for the required Verification of Creditor Matrix.

Pay your $338 filing fee with money order, cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or exact cash.

Louisiana Bankruptcy Exemptions

Most people who file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Louisiana keep all their property thanks to bankruptcy exemptions.

Exemptions are laws that protect basics like a home, car, and household items.

Louisiana doesn’t allow you to choose federal bankruptcy exemptions. You must use state exemption laws.

Here are key exemptions in Louisiana:

Home: You can protect up to $35,000 of equity in your primary residence. Equity is your home’s value minus what you owe.

Vehicle: You can protect up to $7,500 of equity in one car.

Personal property: You can protect up to $5,000 in household goods, clothing, furniture, and wedding rings.

Louisiana Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Louisiana usually costs between $1,450 and $1,800 for Chapter 7. This flat fee covers the full process from filing to discharge.

For many people, it’s the biggest cost of filing bankruptcy. You can speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to understand your options.

Louisiana Legal Aid Organizations

Legal aid organizations in Louisiana offer free legal help to people who can’t afford a lawyer. If you’re filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy and need support, these nonprofits may guide you through the process.