How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Mississippi
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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 Mississippians file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Mississippi.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated May 1, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Mississippi
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. 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 Mississippi’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
Mississippi Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
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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 Local Forms/Requirements 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.
The Mississippi Bankruptcy Court is divided into two districts: the Northern District and the Southern District. The district that handles your case depends on which county you live in. You can use the table below to find yours.
📍 Northern District — Aberdeen Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse 703 Hwy. 145 North Aberdeen, MS 39730
📍 Southern District — Jackson Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse 501 East Court Street Jackson, MS 39201
📍 Southern District — Gulfport Dan M. Russell Jr. U.S. Courthouse 2012 15th St. Gulfport, MS 39501
In Mississippi, you can file in person or by mail in both districts.
How filing works with Upsolve →
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.
Mississippi 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. 💰 You can pay your $338 filing fee by mailing or hand-delivering a cashier’s check or money order to your local courthouse. Make it payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
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? →
Mississippi Bankruptcy Districts
The filing process is the same in both districts, but the court that handles your case is determined by which county you live in.
You can use the table below to see which district you’re in.
| District | Courthouse for Filing | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Mississippi | 📍Aberdeen U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Mississippi Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse 703 Hwy 145 North Aberdeen, MS 39730 | Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Coahoma, Desoto, Grenada, Humphreys, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Washington, Webster, Winston, Yalobusha |
| Southern District of Mississippi | 📍Jackson Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse 501 East Court Street Jackson, MS 39201 | Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Holmes, Issaquena, Jefferson, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Smith, Warren, Wilkinson, Yazoo |
| Southern District of Mississippi (Second Location) | 📍Gulfport Dan M. Russell Jr. U.S. Courthouse 2012 15th St. Gulfport, MS 39501 | larke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Stone, Walthall, Wayne |
Local Forms/Requirements for Mississippi
Most people filing in Mississippi use the standard federal bankruptcy forms, but each district has its own local requirements. Here's what to know based on where you live.
Northern District of Mississippi Requirements
The Northern District of Mississippi covers all the counties in the northern half of the state. If you live in this district, you can file your bankruptcy forms by mail or in person at the Aberdeen courthouse.
One required form is the creditor matrix, which is a list of names and mailing addresses for everyone you owe money to. The court uses it to notify your creditors about your case. You’ll also need to submit a local form called the Verification of Matrix, which confirms your list is accurate and complete.
If you need any additional local forms, you can find them on the court’s website.
Southern District of Mississippi Requirements
The Southern District of Mississippi covers all the counties in the southern half of the state. Some local forms may be required, which you can find on the court’s website.
📚 The court also offers a helpful guide for pro se filers. It explains each step and can be a good starting point if you're filing on your own.
Free Legal Aid in Mississippi
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 Mississippi.
Mississippi Center for Legal Services (601) 545-2950 111 East Front Street, P.O. Drawer 1728 Hattiesburg, MS 39403
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Inc. (662) 234-8731 493 Ryland Way Oxford, MS 38655
