How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Louisiana
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Louisianans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Louisiana.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated May 8, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Louisiana
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Louisiana involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee — and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify.
If your income is below Louisiana’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
Louisiana Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov. Some courts also require local forms, which we cover in the Louisiana Bankruptcy Districts section later.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
How filing works with Upsolve →
The Louisiana Bankruptcy Court is divided into three districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western. Filing methods vary by district. In every district, you can file in person. Some also allow online filing or filing by mail. You can use the table below to see which district handles your case.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
Louisiana Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2026Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
💰 In every district, you can pay the filing fee in person using a money order or certified check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. If you're filing in person, you can also pay with exact cash.
❌ Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted at any court location.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Louisiana Bankruptcy Districts
Louisiana is divided into three districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western. The parish you live in determines the district you file in.
While most of the filing steps are similar, each district has a few local rules about how to submit your documents, so it’s good to know which district you’re in.
You can check the table below to find out which district your parish is in.
| District | Division/Courthouse | Parishes Served |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern District of Louisiana | New Orleans Division | Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John/Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington |
| Middle District of Louisiana | Baton Rouge Division | Ascension, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena |
| Western District of Louisiana | Alexandria Division | Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn |
| Lafayette Division | Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermillion | |
| Lake Charles Division | Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis | |
| Monroe Division | Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll | |
| Shreveport Division | Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine, and Webster |
Local Forms/Requirements for the Eastern District
The Eastern District of Louisiana covers the state’s 13 easternmost parishes and is based in New Orleans. The court has helpful information for people filing without a lawyer on its website.
If you live in this district and are filing without a lawyer, you can submit your bankruptcy 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
If you want to file your case online, you can use the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system. This free tool walks you through the forms step by step and lets you submit your petition online.
After you submit your eSR packet, you'll need to print and deliver a few items to the court to finish your filing:
Declaration form: a short document you sign to confirm that everything in your bankruptcy forms is true.
Statement of Social Security Number: a separate form where you list your full Social Security number. The court needs this to match your case with your identity.
Creditor mailing list (mailing matrix): a list of all the people and companies you owe money to, along with their mailing addresses. This helps the court send them official notices about your case.
🕒 These documents must be delivered to the courthouse within 10 days of submitting your forms online for your case to be officially filed.
Local Forms/Requirements for the Middle District
The Middle District of Louisiana covers nine parishes in south-central Louisiana and is based in Baton Rouge. This district uses the regular federal bankruptcy forms, but many filers check the court’s Local Forms page to make sure they have everything they need.
If you live in this district and are filing without a lawyer, you can submit your bankruptcy forms in person or online. Unlike most courts, this court doesn't accept filings by mail.
🏛️ In-person address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court 707 Florida Street, Room 119 Baton Rouge, LA 70801
How To File Online in the Middle District
The Middle District offers a tool called Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) for people filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy without a lawyer. It guides you through the forms step by step, helping you prepare your bankruptcy petition online.
Though you can submit your main forms online through eSR, you still have to submit the following forms in person:
Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Local Form 2): a short form to confirm that you used the eSR tool to prepare your forms and that you’re filing without a lawyer.
Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Self-Represented Individual): a short form to confirm that you reviewed your bankruptcy forms and that everything is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
Statement of Social Security Number: lists your full SSN so the court can verify your identity.
Creditor mailing list: a list of all the people and companies you owe money to, along with their mailing addresses. This helps the court send them official notices about your case.
🕒 To officially file your case, you must submit these documents to the courthouse within 10 days of submitting your forms online.
Local Forms/Requirements for the Western District
The Western District is the largest in Louisiana and has five divisions. This district uses the standard federal bankruptcy forms, but many filers check the court's Local Forms page to make sure no additional forms are needed depending on their situation. Be sure to follow the court's specific formatting rules for the creditor mailing list and include the required Verification of Creditor Matrix form.
If you're filing without a lawyer in this district, you can file your forms in person or by mail. Just be sure to use the correct court location based on where you live.
📍 Alexandria Division In-person and mailing address: Hemenway Building 300 Jackson Street, Suite 116 Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
📍 Lafayette Division In-person and mailing address: John M. Shaw United States Courthouse 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 1200 Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
📍 Lake Charles Division This courthouse doesn’t have a staffed bankruptcy clerk’s office. Send documents or visit the Lafayette office: John M. Shaw United States Courthouse 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 1200 Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
📍 Monroe Division This courthouse doesn’t have a staffed bankruptcy clerk’s office. Send documents or visit the Shreveport office: Tom Stagg United States Court House 300 Fannin Street, Suite 2201 Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
📍 Shreveport Division In-person and mailing address: Tom Stagg United States Court House 300 Fannin Street, Suite 2201 Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
Free Legal Aid in Louisiana
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Louisiana.
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (866) 275-2572 1020 Surrey Street Lafayette, LA 70501
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (504) 529-1000 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 600 New Orleans, LA 70112
Common Questions About Filing Bankruptcy in Louisiana
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (866) 275-2572 1020 Surrey Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (504) 529-1000 1340 Poydras Street, STe 600, New Orleans, LA 70112
