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FAQs

  • Where can I park when I come to the Bankruptcy Court?

    Public parking is not available at the courthouse in Seattle or Tacoma. Both on-street and off-street (garages and lots) public parking are available in the immediate vicinity of the each courthouse.

    For additional information, please see:  Locations

  • How will I receive court notices and orders?

    Bankruptcy court notices and orders are mailed by the Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) via the U.S. Postal Service on behalf of the Court unless a debtor requests delivery of notices via email through a program called Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN).

    Further information DeBN can be found at:  Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN)

  • Will I need to appear in Court?

    In most bankruptcy cases, you will only be required to attend the mandatory 341(a) Meeting of Creditors to meet with the bankruptcy trustee and any creditors who choose to come. The Clerk’s Office mails a notice that contains the date, time, and location of the 341(a) Meeting. Most often, this meeting will be a relatively short and straight forward process where you are asked a few questions about your bankruptcy forms and your financial situation.

    Occasionally, if additional issues need to be addressed, you may have to appear before a judge at a hearing. If you need to go to court, you will receive notice of the court date and time.

  • Where can I find exemptions?

    The following links provide information on Washington State and federal exemptions:

    http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/washington-bankruptcy-exemptions(link is external) http://www.thebankruptcysite.org/exemptions/washington.html (link is external) http://www.bankruptcyinformation.com/WA.htm

  • What if I need help filling out forms/legal advice?

    Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec 955, Clerk’s Office staff is prohibited from giving information which may be characterized as legal advice. For example, staff cannot:

    • help you complete forms
    • explain the results of not taking action in a case
    • tell you whether jurisdiction is proper in a case
    • provide advice on the best procedure to accomplish a particular goal
    • explain who should receive proper notice or service

    You are encouraged to use the Court's website for information regarding local rules and procedures, local and federal forms, and additional resources to help you navigate through the bankruptcy process.

    See also:  Legal Services & Resources

  • Where do I file?

    Where a debtor files depends on where the debtor resides or has its principal place of business or principal assets. There are two filing locations in the Western District of Washington: Seattle and Tacoma. Each divisional office has courtrooms, a Clerk’s Office for filing documents and paying fees, and staff available to answer questions.

    The counties and filing locations for the Western District of Washington are:

    Cases filed in Seattle:  Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. 

    Cases may be filed in person or mailed to:

    United States Bankruptcy Court

    700 Stewart Street, #6301

    Seattle, WA 98101

    Cases filed in Tacoma:  Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties.

    Cases may be filed in person or mailed to:

    United States Bankruptcy Court

    1717 Pacific Ave, #2100

    Tacoma, WA 98402

  • Is there a fee to file my bankruptcy?

    In addition to the petition, lists, schedules, and statements, Bankruptcy Rule 1006(a) requires every petition to be accompanied by the filing fee. Payment from debtors may be in the form of online payment, a cashier's check or money order made payable to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. For a full list of filing fees and amounts go to Filing Fees.

    Personal checks, bill pay check, debit cards, and credit cards will not be accepted from individual debtors or debtors in possession.

    Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments
    An individual debtor may file an Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments for consideration by the court. The final payment is due no later than 120 days after the filing of the petition. Failure to complete payment of the full filing fee by the deadline is grounds for dismissal of the bankruptcy petition.

    PLEASE NOTE:  An Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments will be denied if a debtor has unpaid filing fees in a bankruptcy case filed in the Western District of Washington within the last 8 years.  If an application is denied the full filing fee will be due within 7 days or your case may be dismissed.

    Application to Waive Chapter 7 Filing Fee
    An individual debtor who files under chapter 7 and meets certain eligibility requirements may apply for an Application for Waiver of Chapter 7 Filing Fee. By law, the judge may waive the fee only if your income is less than 150 percent of the official poverty line applicable to your family size and you are unable to pay the fee in installments. 

    See also: 

    Poverty Guidelines for Chapter 7 Fee Waiver

     Bankruptcy Case Policy on Fee Waivers.

  • What forms do I need to file and where can I find them?

    The filing of a bankruptcy case requires a voluntary petition, the filing of schedules listing the debtor’s property and debts, a statement of financial affairs, a statement of “current monthly income” by all individual debtors with primarily consumer debts, and several other documents. These documents include a mailing list or “matrix” containing the names and addresses of the creditors and others who should receive notices from the court in the case. In addition, every individual debtor must submit a statement of the debtor’s full social security number and fill out local forms if applicable.

    Chapter 7 Checklist and Chapter 13 Checklist are provided for your convenience.

    For additional bankruptcy information and a complete list of forms, please visit www.uscourt.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms(link is external).

  • How many copies of my paperwork do I need to file with the Court?

    The Court requires original paperwork when filing papers conventionally (as opposed to electronic filing). Please provide an additional copy if you want a “received” stamped copy for your records. Include a self-addressed envelope with the appropriate postage if you would like a copy returned by mail. You will always have the option of accessing your case file through pacer.uscourts.gov once a document has been filed with the court.

  • I received a Notice of Deficient Filing. What does this mean?

    A deficient filing is one that is incomplete or incorrectly done in some way. The notice you received should tell you specifically what the deficiency is and the deadline for filing the correction.  If you are unsure of how to cure the deficiency mentioned in the notice, please contact the clerk’s office for an explanation. 

    Failure to cure the deficiencies may result in your case being dismissed without further notice.

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