How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Iowa
Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps you eliminate your debt with our free bankruptcy filing tool. Think TurboTax for bankruptcy. You could be debt-free in as little as 4 months. Featured in Forbes 4x and funded by institutions like Harvard University — so we’ll never ask you for a credit card. See if you qualify
This guide explains how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free in Iowa, breaking the process down into manageable steps. It covers gathering your financial documents, completing two required financial courses, filling out bankruptcy forms, and submitting everything to the court. Many people successfully complete these steps without hiring a lawyer and wipe out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. Plus, you'll learn about free tools like Upsolve, which can simplify the process.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated July 21, 2025
Table of Contents
How To File Bankruptcy in Iowa for Free
If you’re struggling with debt and feeling stuck, you’re not alone. Many Iowans use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to get a fresh start. Bankruptcy can wipe out credit card balances, payday loans, medical bills, and personal loans.
And the good news is that many people are able to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on their own without hiring a lawyer or paying legal fees.
This guide walks you through the process step by step. You’ll learn how to gather your documents, take the required courses, fill out the forms, and file everything with the court. You’ll also learn what happens after you file, including how to protect your property and deal with your car.
✨ If your case is simple, you may be able to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify.
- Collect Your Iowa Bankruptcy Documents
- Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
- Take the Required Credit Counseling Course
- Get Your Filing Fee
- Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
- File Your Forms With the Iowa Bankruptcy Courts
- Mail Documents to Your Trustee
- Take a Debtor Education Course
- Attend Your 341 Meeting
- Deal With Your Car
Collect Your Iowa Bankruptcy Documents
To file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Iowa, you’ll need to gather some financial documents to help you list your debts, income, and expenses in the required bankruptcy forms.
Some of these are also required by the court or bankruptcy trustee, including:
Pay stubs from the past six months
Federal tax returns from the last two years
A bank statement that includes the date you file your case
It’s also useful to have these items at hand:
Bank statements from the past 6–12 months
Credit card or loan statements
Letters or notices from debt collectors
A recent credit report
📄 You can get a free credit report every week from all three credit bureaus atAnnualCreditReport.com. 🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, your credit report will be pulled for you.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
To start your Chapter 7 case, you’ll need to fill out a set of official bankruptcy forms. These are federal forms, so they’re the same no matter where you live. You can download them for free as fillable PDFs at USCourts.gov.
Some bankruptcy courts also require local forms. These can vary by district. Iowa’s district-specific requirements are covered later in this guide under Iowa Districts & Filing Requirements.
✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll answer a few simple questions online. Then the tool fills out your forms for you using your answers.
🤝 If you work with a bankruptcy lawyer, they’ll ask you for the same information and prepare the forms on your behalf.
Take the Required Credit Counseling Course
Before you can file your bankruptcy case, you must take a credit counseling course.
📚 This short course explains your options for dealing with debt so you can be sure bankruptcy is the right choice for you.
Here’s what you need to know:
💻 Most people take the course online or over the phone.
🕒 It usually takes less than an hour to complete.
🗓️ You must take the course within 180 days before you file.
💰 It typically costs $10–$50, but many people qualify for a fee waiver.
✅ You must use a court-approved provider.
After you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion, which you have to submit with your bankruptcy forms when you file your case. If you don’t, the court may dismiss your case.
Get Your Filing Fee
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $338, but many people file for free using a fee waiver. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, you may be eligible to have the filing fee waived.
🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, it will prepare the waiver request for you, but you’ll need to file it with the court yourself.
💵 If you don’t qualify for a waiver but can’t afford to pay the full fee all at once, you can apply for an installment plan to make payments. This can be helpful if you need to file quickly to stop collection actions like wage garnishment, car repossession, or bank account freezes.
🛑 Once you file your case, a legal protection called the automatic stay goes into effect. This temporarily stops most creditors from trying to collect while your case is moving forward.
⚠️ Just be aware that if you miss a payment, the court can dismiss your case, and you won’t be refunded.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
If you’re filing without a lawyer in Iowa, you’ll need to print your bankruptcy forms and either mail or hand-deliver them to the courthouse.
Iowa doesn’t currently offer electronic filing for pro se filers — that is, people filing without an attorney.
Here are a few tips to get your paperwork ready:
Print everything on 8.5” x 11” white paper.
Use black ink.
Print single-sided only.
Don’t staple or hole-punch any pages.
Be sure to sign every signature page.
✅ Using a checklist can help you stay organized.
🗂️ If you’re using Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need. There are also helpful dividers marking every signature page.
If you decide to hire a bankruptcy lawyer, they’ll file your forms electronically with the court on your behalf.
File Your Forms With the Iowa Bankruptcy Courts
Once your forms are printed and signed, you can file them with the court via mail or in person at the courthouse.
🏛️ Filing in person has a few advantages: The clerk can check that your packet looks complete before accepting it, which helps prevent delays or rejections for missing pages or signatures. You also avoid the risk of lost or delayed mail.
That said, some people can’t make it to the courthouse, and mailing your forms is a great alternative option. It’s a good idea to send your forms via certified mail so you can track them and ensure they’re received.
📍 Iowa has two bankruptcy districts — Northern and Southern — and each one has its own rules about where and how to file. Check the Iowa Districts & Filing Requirements section below for courthouse locations and specific instructions.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your bankruptcy forms, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to your case. The trustee reviews your paperwork, checks for accuracy, and makes sure your property is handled correctly. They also oversee a brief meeting called the 341 meeting, or meeting of creditors.
💡 Most Chapter 7 filers don’t lose any of their property.
The U.S. Trustee Program recommends mailing the following documents to the trustee before your 341 meeting:
Your most recent federal tax return
A bank statement for each account you had open on the day you filed
A copy of your photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
Proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub)
A recent pay stub or other proof of income
📅 Aim to send the documents at least 14 days before your 341 meeting. If you’re missing something, include a short note explaining why.
You’ll get your trustee’s name and mailing address in an official court notice after you file. Some trustees may request additional items, like car titles or divorce orders, if applicable. Providing additional documents quickly helps ensure your case continues to move forward smoothly.
Take a Debtor Education Course
Once your case is officially underway, you can take the debtor education course. This required course covers personal finance basics like budgeting, managing credit, and planning ahead. It’s designed to help you build a stronger financial future and make the most of your fresh start.
Here’s what to know:
💰 It typically costs $10–$50, but many people qualify for a fee waiver.
📅 You must take the course within 60 days after your 341 meeting (we’ll explain that in the next section). Most people take it online or via the phone.
✅ You must use a court-approved provider.
🧾 After you finish, you’ll get a certificate. You’ll need to file that certificate with the court to officially complete your case.
Once you submit your certificate, you’ll be one step closer to a fresh financial start.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you’ll attend a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee called the 341 meeting, or meeting of creditors. It’s a required step in every Chapter 7 case. The trustee uses it to confirm your identity and ask a few simple questions about your paperwork.
Despite the name, creditors almost never show up. It’s usually just you and the trustee. Most meetings take less than 10 minutes.
💻 In Iowa, most 341 meetings are held online using Zoom. You can sometimes ask to attend by phone or in person instead. 🪪 You’ll need to show proof of your identity and Social Security number. Most people bring a driver’s license and Social Security card.
During the meeting, the trustee may ask you to confirm details like your name, address, income, or any updates to your forms. As long as you answer honestly and your paperwork is accurate, the meeting is usually quick and stress-free.
👀 Want to see what it’s like? Watch a sample 341 meeting to get a sense of how it goes.
Deal With Your Car
Many people worry they’ll lose their car if they file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. But the truth is that most filers are able to keep their vehicle. It just depends on your situation.
🚙 If you own your car outright, you can usually keep it as long as it’s worth less than Iowa’s motor vehicle exemption, which is $7,000.
🚘 If you’re still paying off a car loan, you have a few different paths.
✅ Sign a reaffirmation agreement: If you’re current on your car loan and have less than $7,000 in equity, you can usually keep your car by continuing payments and signing a reaffirmation agreement. (Equity is the car’s value minus what you still owe on the loan.) This keeps the loan active and out of your bankruptcy case.
🏳️ Surrender the car: If the loan no longer makes sense — maybe the payments are too high or the car isn’t worth what you owe — you can give the car back. This is called voluntary surrender, and it wipes out the remaining loan balance in your bankruptcy.
💵 Redeem the car: Some filers choose redemption, which lets you keep the car by paying its current value in one lump sum. This can be a good option if your car is worth a lot less than what you owe.
Leasing your car? There are options for that, too. You can either assume or reject the lease depending on your needs. Learn more about car leases and bankruptcy.
Iowa Bankruptcy Means Test
To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’ll need to pass something called the means test. This is a two-step review of your income to see if you’re eligible to erase your debts through Chapter 7.
First, you’ll compare your average monthly income to the median income for a household of your size in Iowa. If your income is below the median, you automatically qualify and don’t have to go any further. Many people pass the means test at this step. (You can use the table below to see where you fall.)
If your income is above the median, you may still be able to file Chapter 7. But this will depend on your eligible expenses. Calculating expenses can be more complicated, so most people choose to get legal help if they need to do this part of the means test evaluation.
🤝 Upsolve can connect you with a local bankruptcy attorney for a free consultation if you want to discuss your eligibility with a pro. If you don’t qualify for Chapter 7, a lawyer can also tell you about Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Data on Median income levels for Iowa
Iowa Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
1 | $5,268.75 | $63,225.00 |
2 | $7,052.83 | $84,634.00 |
3 | $8,394.58 | $100,735.00 |
4 | $9,612.83 | $115,354.00 |
5 | $10,537.83 | $126,454.00 |
6 | $11,462.83 | $137,554.00 |
7 | $12,387.83 | $148,654.00 |
8 | $13,312.83 | $159,754.00 |
9 | $14,237.83 | $170,854.00 |
10 | $15,162.83 | $181,954.00 |
Data on Poverty levels for Iowa
Iowa Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2025Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
---|---|---|
Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
1 | $1,255.00 | $1,882.50 |
2 | $1,703.33 | $2,555.00 |
3 | $2,151.67 | $3,227.50 |
4 | $2,600.00 | $3,900.00 |
5 | $3,048.33 | $4,572.50 |
6 | $3,496.67 | $5,245.00 |
7 | $3,945.00 | $5,917.50 |
8 | $4,393.33 | $6,590.00 |
9 | $4,841.67 | $7,262.50 |
10 | $5,290.00 | $7,935.00 |
Iowa Districts & Filing Requirements
owa has two bankruptcy districts: Northern and Southern. Each district has slightly different rules. Use the chart below to find your county and see which district you’re in. Then, scroll down to read the filing guidelines for that district.
🗺️ You can also view the Northern District map and Southern District map if you prefer a visual reference.
Note: Iowa also divides its districts into smaller divisions, but these don’t affect where or how you file.
District | Counties Served |
---|---|
Northern District of Iowa | Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Clay, Clayton, Crawford, Delaware, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jones, Kossuth, Linn, Lyon, Mitchell, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Tama, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Worth, Wright |
Southern District of Iowa | Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Boone, Cass, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fremont, Greene, Guthrie, Harrison, Henry, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Shelby, Story, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne |
Northern District of Iowa
📍 If you're filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Iowa and you live in the Northern District, you'll need to mail or hand-deliver your forms to the court. There are two courthouse locations, but they follow different rules.
Here’s an overview of your filing and fee payment options in the Northern District:
Cedar Rapids Courthouse (Main office) | Sioux City Clerk's Office | |
---|---|---|
Address | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 111 7th Avenue SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 |
Filing Options | In person, via mail | In person only |
Fee Payment Options | This is the only location that accepts filing fee payments in the Northern District. Pay via cash (exact amount only), certified check, or money order made out to Clerk, US Bankruptcy Court. | This location does not take filing fee payments. Filers must submit payment to Cedar Rapids. |
Here are a few other important notes:
❌ The court doesn’t accept personal checks or credit cards to pay the filing fee.
If you can’t afford the full fee when you file, you can apply for a fee waiver or installment plan by submitting the proper form:
Application to pay in installments
Application to waive the fee
📄 The Northern District of Iowa follows the standard federal forms for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You can find a full list of required documents and a helpful Chapter 7 flowchart on the court’s filing requirements page.
Southern District of Iowa
📍 The Southern District of Iowa has one main courthouse, located in Des Moines. No matter how you plan to submit your forms, they must go to this location. You can take your forms in person to the courthouse or send them in the mail.
🏛️ Des Moines Courthouse U.S. Bankruptcy Court 111 Locust Street, Suite 320 Des Moines, IA 50309
The court also processes all fee payments here.
💵 You can pay the $338 filing fee with cash (exact amount only) or by certified check or money order made payable to Clerk, US Bankruptcy Court.
❌ The court doesn’t accept personal checks or credit cards to pay the filing fee.
If you can’t afford the full fee when you file, many filers submit one of these forms with their paperwork:
Application to pay in installments
Application to waive the fee
📄 The Southern District of Iowa has specific formatting instructions for the creditor matrix — a list of all the people and companies you owe money to. It must be typed or prepared on a computer, not handwritten, and the court strongly recommends using the Consolas font. The court also provides a sample matrix you can follow to make sure yours is formatted correctly.
Upsolve Member Experiences
5,035+ Members OnlineIowa Bankruptcy Exemptions
When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, exemptions help protect the things you need to live and work, like your car, home, and basic household items. These laws keep certain property off-limits from creditors during your case.
📌 In some states, you can choose between state and federal exemptions. Iowa doesn’t allow that. If you’ve lived in Iowa for at least two years, you’ll use Iowa’s exemption laws.
Here are some of Iowa’s most commonly used exemptions:
🚗 Motor vehicle exemption: Lets you protect up to $7,000 of equity in one car
🏡 Homestead exemption: Lets you protect your home in full, with no dollar limit, as long as it sits on no more than half an acre in a city or 40 acres in the country
💼 Wildcard: Lets you protect up to $1,000 in personal property of your choice
🚜 Farming equipment: Covers up to $10,000 in tools or machinery used in farming
Iowa Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer is usually the biggest cost in a Chapter 7 case. In Iowa, most attorneys charge a flat fee between $965 and $1,500, depending on how complicated the case is.
Some people feel more confident having a lawyer guide them through the process. Others explore filing on their own to save money. If you’re thinking about hiring a lawyer, many offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and compare your options.
Iowa Legal Aid Organizations
If you need legal assistance but can’t afford a lawyer, legal aid groups may be able to help. These nonprofits offer free or low-cost services to people with low incomes who qualify based on their financial situation.