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

Drowning in debt? You’re not alone. Many Missouri residents use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out credit card balances, medical bills, and payday loans.

Here’s the best part: You don’t need a lawyer. Filing on your own saves hundreds or thousands in attorney fees. Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to explore your options, or follow this step-by-step guide.

Step-by-Step: Filing Chapter 7 in Missouri

Collect Your Missouri Bankruptcy Documents

Chapter 7 bankruptcy gives the court a complete picture of your finances. Gathering the right documents makes this process smoother.

📂 Required documents include:

• Pay stubs from the last six months
• Federal tax returns for the past two years
• Bank statement that includes your filing date

Helpful additional documents:

• Credit card bills and collection notices
• Bank statements from the past 6-12 months
• Recent credit report
• Personal loan statements

Take Credit Counseling

Before filing Chapter 7 in Missouri, you must complete credit counseling. The course reviews your finances and confirms bankruptcy is right for you.

🧠 Key details:

• Use a Missouri-approved provider
• Takes 1-2 hours online, by phone, or in person
• Costs $10-$50 (fee waivers available)
• Must be completed within 180 days before filing

📌 You’ll receive a certificate of completion. File it with your bankruptcy paperwork or risk case dismissal.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Most bankruptcy forms are standardized federal documents. Download them free from USCourts.gov.

Some Missouri courts require additional local forms. Check your district’s requirements in the section below.

Working with a bankruptcy attorney? They’ll prepare and file everything for you.

Get Your Filing Fee

Filing Chapter 7 costs $338. Can’t afford the full amount upfront? You have two options.

First, request a fee waiver if your income falls below 150% of federal poverty guidelines.

Second, apply to pay in installments over 120 days (up to four payments).

⚠️ Missing a payment can result in case dismissal before your debts are discharged.

Some people file before saving the full fee. The automatic stay stops wage garnishment, foreclosures, and collection efforts immediately.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Most people filing without a lawyer print their forms to file in person or by mail. E-filing is available in Missouri, but you’ll still need to print and mail certain documents.

🖨️ Print right before filing, since your paperwork includes time-sensitive information. Use white letter-size paper (8.5″ x 11″), print single-sided, black ink only.

Don’t staple or hole-punch. Print a second copy for your records.

✍️ Review everything carefully and sign all signature pages.

File Your Forms With the Missouri Bankruptcy Court

Missouri has two federal bankruptcy districts: the Eastern District and the Western District. Your county determines where you file.

You can file three ways:

🏛️ In person: Hand documents directly to the clerk. They’ll tell you immediately if something’s missing or needs correction.

📬 By mail: Send forms to your local courthouse. Double-check everything is signed before mailing. Consider tracking or delivery confirmation.

💻 Online: File electronically through your district’s system. Follow district-specific instructions carefully.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After filing, the court assigns a Chapter 7 trustee to your case. Trustees review your paperwork and determine if any property can be sold to pay creditors.

Most people keep everything they own.

📬 Mail these documents to your trustee at least two weeks before your 341 meeting:

• Two most recent federal tax returns
• Bank statement that includes your filing date
• Photo ID copy (driver’s license or state ID)
• Social Security number proof (card, W-2, or pay stub)
• Recent pay stub or other income proof

📌 You’ll receive your trustee’s contact information shortly after filing.

Take a Debtor Education Course

After filing, you must complete debtor education. The course teaches budgeting, saving, and financial management tools for your fresh start.

📝 Required for debt discharge—don’t skip it!

Key details:

• Complete within 60 days of your 341 meeting
• Use a court-approved provider
• Available online, by phone, or in person

✅ File your completion certificate with the court.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after filing, you’ll attend the 341 meeting (meeting of creditors). Your trustee confirms your identity and asks questions about your finances.

👍 Most people find it less stressful than expected.

What to expect:

• Usually held by Zoom videoconference
• Lasts under 10 minutes
• Bring photo ID and Social Security number proof
• Creditors can attend but rarely do
• Trustee may ask about income, expenses, or property

💡 Review your forms beforehand. Answer honestly and clearly.

🎉 After your 341 meeting and debtor education certificate submission, expect debt discharge within 60-90 days.

Deal With Your Car

Most Missouri residents rely on their cars. Good news: Most Chapter 7 filers keep their vehicles.

Whether you keep yours depends on:

• Your car’s equity (value minus loan balance)
• Whether you’re making payments
• Which exemptions apply

📚 Exemptions protect certain property in bankruptcy. Missouri protects up to $3,000 of equity in one car. Higher equity may be protected using the wildcard exemption.

🚗 Still paying off your car loan? Keep your car by staying current on payments. Most filers choose:

• Reaffirm the loan by signing a reaffirmation agreement. You continue payments and remain responsible for the debt.
• Redeem the car by paying the vehicle’s fair market value in one lump sum.

Don’t want the car or can’t afford payments? Surrender it. The lender gets the car back and remaining loan balance is discharged.

📄 Leasing your car? Continue making payments or return the vehicle and end the lease.

Missouri Bankruptcy Means Test

To qualify for Chapter 7 in Missouri, you must pass the bankruptcy means test. It determines if your income is low enough to file.

👣 Two-step process:

Step 1: Compare your household income to Missouri median income for your household size. Income below the median? You automatically pass and can file Chapter 7.

✅ Most people pass here.

Step 2: Income above the median? A detailed review examines your disposable income. Too much disposable income means you may not qualify for Chapter 7.

Missouri Median Income Levels for 2025

Contact a bankruptcy attorney for free to verify current income limits for your household size.

Fee Waiver Eligibility for 2025

Eligible for fee waiver when income is under 150% the poverty level:

• 1 person: $1,882.50/month
• 2 people: $2,555.00/month
• 3 people: $3,227.50/month
• 4 people: $3,900.00/month
• 5 people: $4,572.50/month

Missouri Districts & Filing Requirements

Missouri divides into two districts: Eastern and Western. Your county determines your filing district. Most steps are identical, but each district has specific local rules.

Which District Are You In?

Eastern District of Missouri: Adair, Audrain, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Chariton, Clark, Crawford, Dent, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Maries, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Reynolds, Ripley, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Washington, Wayne

Western District of Missouri: Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, DeKalb, Douglas, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, Worth, Wright

Eastern District of Missouri Requirements

File documents in person, by mail, or online using Electronic Self-Representation (eSR).

🏛️📬 In person and mailing address:

Eastern Division
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
111 South 10th St., 4th Floor
St. Louis, MO 63102

📥 Drop box available for after-hours submissions.

💻 Online filing option:

Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) is a free online tool. It guides you through forms step-by-step with 45 days to complete and submit.

📧 After submitting online, the court emails documents you’ll print, sign, and mail or deliver in person:

• Declaration form confirming electronic filing
• Social Security number statement
• Creditor matrix verification form

⚠️ The automatic stay won’t take effect until the court receives these signed documents and assigns a case number.

Additional Requirements and Filing Fee Information

Include a creditor matrix—a list of everyone you owe with mailing addresses. Eastern District also requires a signed Verification of Creditor Matrix form.

💰 Pay the $338 filing fee with exact cash at the courthouse. Cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court also accepted.

🚫 Personal checks and credit cards not accepted.

📝 Can’t afford the full fee? Request up to four installments, paying at least half within seven days of filing.

Western District of Missouri Requirements

File documents in person, by mail, or online using Electronic Self-Representation (eSR).

🏛️📬 In person and mailing address:

Western Division
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
400 E. 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106

📥 Drop box available in courthouse lobby for after-hours submissions.

💻 Online filing option:

Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) guides you through forms with 45 days to complete.

📧 After submitting online, the court emails two forms to print, sign, and return:

• Declaration confirming electronic filing
• Social Security number statement

Also submit:

• Credit counseling certificate
• Filing fee, fee waiver request, or installment application

📬 Mail or hand-deliver to the courthouse.

⚠️ The automatic stay won’t take effect until the court receives all paperwork, processes your case, and assigns a case number.

Additional Requirements and Filing Fee Information

Include a creditor matrix following specific formatting rules. Western District requires a signed Verification of Mailing Matrix form.

💰 Pay the $338 filing fee with cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

📝 Can’t afford the full fee? Request up to four installments.

🚫 Cash, personal checks, and credit cards not accepted.

Missouri Bankruptcy Exemptions

Bankruptcy exemptions protect property you keep when filing Chapter 7. Missouri is an opt-out state—use Missouri state exemptions, not federal exemptions.

Key Missouri exemptions:

• 🏠 Homestead exemption: Protects up to $15,000 equity if you own the land. Mobile home without land: $5,000.
• 🚗 Vehicle exemption: Protects up to $3,000 equity in one motor vehicle.
• 🛍️ Wildcard exemption: Use up to $600 for property not covered by other exemptions.
• 🛋️ Household goods: Protects up to $3,000 in personal items like clothing, furniture, and appliances.

Missouri Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Missouri typically costs $1,000-$1,500 for Chapter 7. Usually a flat fee, but complex cases may cost more.

Attorney fees are often the biggest bankruptcy expense. A lawyer can be worth it if you own valuable assets like a home.

Can’t afford an attorney? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to discuss your options.

Missouri Legal Aid Organizations

Legal aid organizations provide free and low-cost help for bankruptcy and other civil matters. Work with legal aid if you’re uncomfortable completing Chapter 7 paperwork alone.

Search for Missouri legal aid organizations in your area for assistance.

Missouri Court Locations

Missouri bankruptcy courts are located throughout the state. Check your district’s website for specific courthouse addresses and hours.

Missouri Judges

Missouri bankruptcy judges oversee Chapter 7 cases in both Eastern and Western districts. Your trustee handles most interactions, but judges review and approve final discharges.

Missouri Trustees

Chapter 7 trustees are assigned to your case after filing. Trustees review paperwork, manage the 341 meeting, and determine if any property can be sold to pay creditors.