How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Missouri
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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 Missourians file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Missouri.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Written June 9, 2019
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Missouri
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 Missouri 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 Missouri’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
| 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.
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 →
Missouri is divided into two federal bankruptcy districts: the Eastern District and the Western District. Where you file depends on the county you live in. We’ll go over specific rules and local form requirements for each district later in the Missouri Bankruptcy Districts section.
In both districts, you can file your bankruptcy forms by mail or in person at your local courthouse, or online.
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.
| 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.
Each district’s Local Forms/Requirements section below covers how to pay the filing fee in your county.
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? →
Missouri Bankruptcy Districts
Missouri is divided into two districts: Eastern and Western. The district you file in depends on the county where you live. Most steps are the same across both districts, but each has a few local rules about how to submit your forms and pay your court fees.
⬇️ You can check the table below to find out which district your county is in.
| District | Counties Served |
|---|---|
| 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] (https://www.mow.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy) | 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 Local Forms/Requirements
If you live in the Eastern District of Missouri, you can file your bankruptcy paperwork in person, by mail, or online using Electronic Self-Representation (eSR).
The courthouse address for in-person filing and mail is: Eastern Division Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse 111 South 10th St., 4th Floor St. Louis, MO 63102
📥 A drop box is available at the courthouse if you need to submit your paperwork and filing fee after-hours.
When you submit your paperwork to the court, you’ll need to include a creditor matrix — a simple list of everyone you owe money to, with mailing addresses. In the Eastern District, you’ll also need to file a signed Verification of Creditor Matrix form. You can see the full list of required documents on the court’s website.
Additional requirements for eSR filers: After you submit your packet online, the court will email you two forms you'll need to print, sign, and return:
A Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing
You'll also need to submit your credit counseling certificate and your filing fee, fee waiver request, or installment application to complete your filing.
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee by bringing exact cash to the courthouse. You can also pay with a cashier’s check or money order made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
🚫 The court doesn't accept personal checks or credit cards.
Western District Local Forms/Requirements
If you live in the Western District of Missouri, you can file your bankruptcy paperwork in person, by mail, or online using Electronic Self-Representation (eSR).
The courthouse address for in-person filing and mail is: Western Division U.S. Bankruptcy Court 400 E. 9th Street Kansas City, MO 64106
📥 A drop box is available in the courthouse lobby if you need to submit your paperwork and filing fee after-hours.
All filers need to include a creditor matrix with their paperwork — a list of everyone you owe money to, with mailing addresses. In the Western District, the matrix must follow specific formatting rules, and you'll also need a signed Verification of Mailing Matrix form. You can find both in this guide.
Additional requirements for eSR filers: After you submit your packet online, the court will email you two forms you’ll need to print, sign, and return:
You'll also need to submit your credit counseling certificate and your filing fee, fee waiver request, or installment application to complete your filing.
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee with a cashier’s check or money order made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
🚫 The court doesn’t accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards.
Free Legal Aid in Missouri
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 Missouri. Legal Aid of Western Missouri (816) 474-6750 4001 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64130
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (314) 534-4200 701 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (417) 881-1397 3130 South Delaware Springfield, MO 65804
Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation (573) 442-0116 117 N. Garth Avenue Columbia, MO 65203
