Locating Your Bankruptcy Court

Ohio is split into two federal court districts: the Northern district and Southern district.  Within each district there are multiple Bankruptcy Courts.  There might be a clear distinction as to what district you file your case in.  Example: if you live in Cincinnati you file in the Southern District.  However, what specific court within the district will you file your case?  The specific bankruptcy court  depends on the county where you live.

 Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court

There are five Northern District courts for bankruptcy cases.  The locations for these five courts are Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown.  Next, you look to your county to figure out where you file your case.  Click here for a county distribution map for these courts.

Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court

The Southern District of Ohio contains three bankruptcy courts.  The locations for these three courts are Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.  Click here for a county distribution map for these courts.

Location of your § 341 Hearing

Even though you file your bankruptcy case in the Dayton Bankruptcy Court, this does not necessarily mean you will go to court in Dayton.  The one hearing that you must attend is the § 341 Hearing or Meeting of Creditors.  There are usually multiple hearing locations due to the fact that each courthouse serves many counties.

For instance, say you live in Springfield, Ohio and you file your Chapter 7 case in the Dayton Bankruptcy Court.  It makes sense to think that you would go to court at the Dayton Bankruptcy Court location.  However, your Meeting of Creditors will be held at the US Post Office in Springfield.  If you live in Lima, Ohio and file your Chapter 7 case in the Toledo Bankruptcy Court where do you think you attend your hearing?  You will go to your court hearing at the Social Security Administration building in Lima.

The United States Trustee or case trustee can file a motion to dismiss your case if you file your case in the wrong Bankruptcy Court.  Knowing where to file your bankruptcy case is an important step in this process.