How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Louisiana
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Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Louisiana can help you erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans so you can get a fresh start. It might feel overwhelming, but many people file on their own, and this guide explains each step in a simple, clear way. You’ll learn how to gather your documents, take the required courses, complete the forms, and attend a short meeting with the bankruptcy trustee. Free tools like Upsolve’s filing assistant can help you file for free and keep the property you need.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated July 15, 2025
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Louisiana
The average Louisianan has over $5,800 in credit card debt. If you’re overwhelmed by high-interest credit card debt or medical bills, you’re not alone.
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy can give you a fresh start by wiping out credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, and more. And many people with simple cases are able to file on their own, without a lawyer, for free.
This guide walks you through the process step by step.
You’ll learn how to gather your documents, take the required courses, file your forms, and get ready for a short meeting to review your case. It also explains Louisiana’s rules for protecting your property, including your home and car, so you know what to expect.
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 Louisiana Bankruptcy Documents
- Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
- Take a Credit Counseling Course
- Get Your Filing Fee
- Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
- File Your Forms With the Louisiana Bankruptcy Court
- Mail Documents to Your Trustee
- Take the Second Required Course (Debtor Education/Personal Financial Management)
- Attend Your 341 Meeting
- Deal With Your Car
Collect Your Louisiana Bankruptcy Documents
Getting your paperwork together is one of the first and most important steps in filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Having the right documents on hand can make it easier to fill out your forms and avoid case delays.
🗂️ Some documents are required by the court or the bankruptcy trustee, including:
Pay stubs or other proof of income from the past six months
Tax returns from the past two years
A bank statement that includes the date you file your bankruptcy case
These documents aren’t required, but they have useful info that can help you complete your bankruptcy forms, which ask about your income, expenses, debts, and property:
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 of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s free filing tool, it will pull your credit report for you.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
📃 To officially start your case, you’ll need to fill out a set of forms that give the court a full picture of your financial situation. These are federal forms, so they’re the same across the country.
You can download them for free as fillable PDFs from USCourts.gov.
Some courts also require local forms. You’ll find more details about those in the Louisiana Districts & Filing Requirements section below.
🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s filing tool, we’ll guide you through a simple online questionnaire and prepare your forms based on your answers. When you're done, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need.
If you work with a lawyer, they’ll usually fill out the forms using the information you provide. You’ll review and sign them before they file everything with the court.
Take a Credit Counseling Course
Before you can file your case, you’ll need to take a credit counseling course. This is a short class that helps you understand your financial options and decide if bankruptcy is the right step.
🗓️ Everyone filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy must complete the course within 180 days before filing.
Here are some important details:
You can take the course online, by phone, or sometimes in person.
You must use a court-approved course provider.
The course usually takes about an hour.
It costs $10–$50, but many filers qualify for a fee waiver and take it for free.
You’ll get a certificate of completion when you finish.
✅ You’ll need to file the certificate with your bankruptcy forms. If you don’t, the court may dismiss your case.
Get Your Filing Fee
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you qualify for a fee waiver — based on your income — you don’t have to pay the fee to file your case.
🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s filing tool, we’ll help you prepare the fee waiver form. You’ll still need to print it and file it with your other forms at the courthouse.
📅 If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can submit an application to pay the fee in installments instead. This allows you to file your case with a down payment, then pay the rest of the fee over time.
Filers who can’t afford the full fee and are facing wage garnishment or other collection actions sometimes opt for an installment plan so they can get the protection of the automatic stay. This goes into effect as soon as you file your case, and it stops most collections right away.
⚠️ Just be aware that if you miss a payment, the court may dismiss your case and you won’t be refunded.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
Two of Louisiana’s three bankruptcy court districts allow for online filing, but if you don't live in one of those districts or you simply prefer to submit your bankruptcy forms in person or via mail, you’ll need to print them first.
🖨️ Follow these tips when printing:
Use regular 8.5" x 11" letter-size white paper.
Print in black ink, single-sided only.
Don’t staple or hole-punch your forms.
Sign every page that asks for your signature.
✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s filing tool, you’ll get a downloadable packet with helpful dividers to clearly show you where to sign, so nothing gets overlooked.
If you hire a lawyer, they’ll file everything electronically for you, so you won’t need to print or organize the forms yourself.
File Your Forms With the Louisiana Bankruptcy Court
Louisiana is divided into three federal bankruptcy districts. Each district has specific rules for how to file your forms.
👤 In every district, you can file in person.
💻 Two of three districts allow you to file online or via mail.
You’ll find more details in the Louisiana Districts & Filing Requirements section later in this guide.
👣 Many people prefer to file in person because it’s faster and there’s less risk of something getting lost. The clerk can also let you know right away if anything is missing.
📝 If you're filing in person, bring everything you need, including:
Your completed bankruptcy forms
Your credit counseling certificate
Your filing fee or a fee waiver or installment plan application form
A valid photo ID
When you arrive, you’ll go through courthouse security. After that, head to the clerk’s office to submit your paperwork.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your Chapter 7 case, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee.
💡 The trustee’s job is to review your forms, verify your financial information, and manage your case. You’ll get your trustee’s name and contact information in an official court notice after you file.
Before your 341 meeting (which we'll cover later in the Attend Your 341 Meeting section), you need to send a few documents to your trustee. These help confirm that everything in your forms is complete and accurate.
📬 The U.S. Trustee’s office recommends sending these items:
Your two most recent federal tax returns
A bank statement that includes your bankruptcy filing date
A clear copy of your photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
Proof of your Social Security number (like a copy of your Social Security card, W-2, or a pay stub)
Proof of your current income, such as a recent pay stub
📅 The trustee’s office recommends sending these at least 14 days before your 341 meeting. If you don’t have one of the documents, include a short note explaining why.
Every trustee works a little differently, so take time to read any notices you receive. If your trustee asks for additional documents, send them as soon as you can to help your case move forward smoothly.
Take the Second Required Course (Debtor Education/Personal Financial Management)
📚 After you file your case, you have to take another course called the debtor education course, or personal financial management. It covers helpful tools and strategies for managing your money moving forward.
Like the first course, you must also take this second course from a court-approved provider.
🗓️ You also need to complete it within 60 days after your 341 meeting (more on that next).
🏛️ Once you finish the course, you’ll get a certificate of completion. You must file this certificate with the court. If you don’t, you won’t get a bankruptcy discharge. That’s the court order that wipes out your qualifying debts.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you’re required to attend a short meeting called the 341 meeting, or meeting of creditors. This is a chance for the trustee to verify your identity and ask a few questions under oath about the information in your bankruptcy forms.
🧑🏽💻 Most meetings happen online via Zoom, though some may take place by phone or in person. The court will send you a notice with the date, time, and instructions for joining.
🪪 You’ll need to have:
A valid photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
Proof of your Social Security number (such as your Social Security card, W-2, or a recent pay stub)
⏱️ The meeting is usually quick. Most last about 10 minutes. The trustee may ask a few simple follow-up questions about your income, property, or debts. Creditors are allowed to attend, but they almost never do.
😌 Many people feel nervous beforehand, but the 341 meeting is often easier than expected. As long as you’ve been honest in your forms and answer clearly, it’s usually over before you know it.
Deal With Your Car
In Louisiana, having a car is often essential. So it’s common to worry about losing your vehicle when filing bankruptcy. Fortunately, many people are able to keep their car.
Whether you can keep yours depends on a few key things:
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. Equity is the car’s value minus any loan balance.
If you’re making loan payments on your car, you have three main choices:
Reaffirm the loan: If you’re current on your car loan payments and want to keep the car, you can sign a reaffirmation agreement with the lender. This keeps things as they are — you keep the car and keep paying on the loan as promised. To redeem your car, your equity must also be below the Louisiana motor vehicle exemption of $7,500.
Redeem the car: If you owe more on your car than it’s worth, you can redeem the car by paying the lender the current fair market value in one lump sum. Though this can save money in the long run, it’s often difficult for people to come up with the lump sum required.
Surrender the car:If you owe more than the car is worth, you’re behind on your payments, or you simply want a fresh start, you can voluntarily surrender the car to the lender. Doing so wipes out the car loan as part of the bankruptcy.
If you lease your car, the rules are a little different. You can read more in our car lease guide.
Louisiana Bankruptcy Means Test
Chapter 7 eligibility is based on income and determined by something called a means test. The means test was put in place to make sure that people who file bankruptcy truly don’t have the means, or ability, to repay their debts.
For the test, you first compare your income to the median income for a household of your size in Louisiana.
✅ If your income is below the median, you pass the test and can move forward with Chapter 7. Many people qualify at this first step. You can check where you stand using this means test calculator.
If your income is higher than the median, you can move on to the second part of the test, which looks at your expenses and disposable income. This part of the test is more complicated, and it’s a good idea to get legal help if you aren’t eligible for Chapter 7 based on your income alone.
Upsolve can connect you with a qualified bankruptcy attorney near you for a free consultation if you find yourself in that position or simply want some legal support.
Data on Median Income Levels for Louisiana
Louisiana Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $4,473.08 | $53,677.00 |
| 2 | $5,774.00 | $69,288.00 |
| 3 | $6,551.33 | $78,616.00 |
| 4 | $8,170.08 | $98,041.00 |
| 5 | $9,095.08 | $109,141.00 |
| 6 | $10,020.08 | $120,241.00 |
| 7 | $10,945.08 | $131,341.00 |
| 8 | $11,870.08 | $142,441.00 |
| 9 | $12,795.08 | $153,541.00 |
| 10 | $13,720.08 | $164,641.00 |
Data on Poverty Levels for Louisiana
Louisiana 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 |
Louisiana Districts & Filing Requirements
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 and pay your fees, 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 |
Eastern District of Louisiana Filing Requirements
📍The Eastern District of Louisiana covers the state’s 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 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 either the Electronic Document Submission System (EDSS) or the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.
If you’ve completed your paperwork on your own or with Upsolve, you can use the EDSS to submit them electronically. The EDSS is an online drop-box that allows you to upload PDF copies of your completed bankruptcy documents.
📋 The eSR is a free tool that walks you through the Chapter 7 forms step by step. If you use the eSR, you can complete and submit your petition online. Then you have 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.
You also have to pay the $338 filing fee or submit a fee waiver. If neither of those work for you, you can ask to pay in installments.
If approved, you’ll need to pay $75 within 10 days of filing and the rest in up to three monthly payments within 120 days.
Additional Requirements & Filing Fee Information for the Eastern District
The Eastern District of Louisiana has helpful information for people filing without a lawyer on its website.
Most bankruptcy forms are federal, but this district also has a few local forms you may need, especially if you’re filing on your own or using the eSR tool. You can find these on the court’s Local Forms page.
💰 You can pay your $338 filing fee with a money order or cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or with exact cash.
🚫 Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted.
Middle District of Louisiana Requirements
The Middle District of Louisiana 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 located in Baton Rouge. Unlike most courts, this court doesn’t accept filings by mail.
If you live in this district and are filing without a lawyer, you can submit your bankruptcy 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 a tool called Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) for people filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy without a lawyer. This tool 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.
Remember, you’ll also need to pay the $338 filing fee or submit a fee waiver or installment plan application.
Additional Requirements & Filing Fee Information for the Middle District
The Middle District of Louisiana uses the regular federal bankruptcy forms but also has a few local forms and rules that may apply depending on your situation.
You can find these on the Middle District’s Local Forms page. Many filers take a few minutes to check this page to make sure there are no additional forms they need to include before they file.
💰 You can pay your $338 filing fee with a money order or cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or with exact cash.
🚫 Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted.
Western District of Louisiana Requirements
The Western District is the largest in Louisiana and has five divisions.
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.
The Alexandria Division serves Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn parishes.
In person and mailing address: Hemenway Building, 300 Jackson Street, Suite 116, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
The Lafayette Division serves Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermillion parishes.
In person and mailing address: John M. Shaw United States Courthouse, 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 1200, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
The Lake Charles Division serves Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes.
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
The Monroe Division serves Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll parishes.
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
The Shreveport Division serves Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
In person and mailing address: Tom Stagg United States Court House, 300 Fannin Street, Suite 2201, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
Additional Requirements & Filing Fee Information for the Western District
Filers in the Western District of Louisiana use the standard federal bankruptcy forms. The court also has a few local rules and forms that may apply depending on your situation.
🌐 You can find these on the Western District’s Local Forms page.
📄 Be sure to follow the court’s specific formatting rules for the required Verification of Creditor Matrix.
💰 You can pay your $338 filing fee with a money order or cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, or with exact cash.
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Louisiana Bankruptcy Exemptions
Most people who file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Louisiana get to keep all of their property thanks to bankruptcy exemptions.
💡 Exemptions are laws that help you move forward while keeping basics like a home, car, and household items.
Louisiana doesn’t allow you to choose the federal bankruptcy exemptions. You must use the state’s exemption laws.
Here are a few key exemptions in Louisiana:
🏠 Home: You can protect up to $35,000 of equity in your primary residence. Equity is the value of your home after subtracting what you still owe on it.
🚗 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 a Chapter 7 case. This flat fee covers the full process from filing to discharge. For many people, it’s the biggest cost of filing bankruptcy.
Some folks decide to work with a lawyer if they own a home, have complex finances, or simply want peace of mind. Most bankruptcy lawyers offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if legal help feels right for you.
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 be able to guide you through the process.
