Everything you need to know about the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Address, filing hours, local rules, trustee panel, and pro se resources.
File at the Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Ave, Houston, TX 77002. Complete credit counseling first, prepare your petition and schedules, and pay the filing fee. Attorneys must file electronically through CM/ECF.
Filing Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT. Electronic filing (CM/ECF) available 24/7.
Filing Fees: Chapter 7: $338 | Chapter 13: $313 | Chapter 11: $1,738
Fee Waivers: Available for Chapter 7 filers with income below 150% of the federal poverty line. Chapter 13 filers may request installment payments.
Electronic Filing: Attorneys must file through CM/ECF. Pro se debtors may file on paper at the clerk's window or request CM/ECF access.
Local Rules: https://www.txsb.uscourts.gov/local-rules
Chapter 7 trustees are assigned from the U.S. Trustee panel for Region 7. Standing Chapter 13 Trustees serve the Houston Division.
The U.S. Trustee Program oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases and maintains the panel of private trustees. You can find the current trustee panel at justice.gov/ust.
Location: 341 meetings for the Houston Division are held at the Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Ave, Houston, TX 77002, or at designated trustee meeting facilities, or by phone/video.
What to Bring: Government-issued photo ID, proof of Social Security number, most recent tax return, recent pay stubs, and recent bank statements.
Timing: The 341 meeting is typically scheduled 20-40 days after filing. You will receive a notice with the exact date, time, and format. For more: 341meeting.org.
The S.D. Texas provides pro se resources through the clerk's office. Lone Star Legal Aid and Houston Volunteer Lawyers may provide free assistance.
Required Forms: All bankruptcy forms are available at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.
Credit Counseling: You must complete credit counseling from an approved agency before filing. List of approved agencies: justice.gov/ust.
For more pro se filing resources: prosebankruptcy.org | filebankruptcywithoutlawyer.com.
FJC data covering S.D. Texas filings. Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database. Attorney fee ranges are estimates based on local market data.
Exemptions: Texas has extremely generous exemptions. The homestead exemption protects your primary residence with no cap on value (up to 10 acres urban, 100/200 acres rural). Texas uses state exemptions under Tex. Prop. Code sec. 41 and sec. 42.
For detailed exemption information: bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com.
File at the Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Ave, Houston, TX 77002. Complete credit counseling first, prepare your petition and schedules, and pay the filing fee. Attorneys must file electronically through CM/ECF.
Chapter 7 costs $338 and Chapter 13 costs $313. You can pay in installments or apply for a fee waiver. Attorney fees in Houston typically range from $1,000-$2,500 for Chapter 7 and $2,500-$5,000 for Chapter 13.
The S.D. Texas has a Chapter 13 filing rate above 60%, well above the national average. This is driven by local attorney practices favoring Chapter 13 for homeowners, strong trustee administration, and Texas exemption laws.
Yes. The S.D. Texas, particularly the Houston Division, has become one of the top venues for large Chapter 11 corporate bankruptcies. However, the vast majority of cases filed are consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
341 meetings for the Houston Division are held at the Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Ave, or at designated trustee meeting facilities, or by phone/video. Your notice specifies the exact format, date, and time.
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