This guide covers the court's structure, divisions, filing venue, case process, and public records. It's written for people navigating a case and for professionals who need reliable visibility into filings and dockets. Rules and fees change, so verify current procedures with the court itself before acting.
This is general information, not legal advice or a filing strategy. A qualified bankruptcy attorney can advise on your situation.
Key Takeaways
- The Southern District is one of Indiana's two federal bankruptcy districts and sits in the Seventh Circuit.
- Venue depends on residence or business facts, so confirm the right division with the court.
- PACER and the clerk's office provide official records; structured data tools support higher-volume monitoring.
- Check local rules, fees, and hearing formats for current information before filing.
Understanding the Southern District of Indiana Bankruptcy Court
Where it sits in the federal system
Under 28 U.S.C. 151, bankruptcy judges form a unit of the district court. The district court refers bankruptcy cases to them.
The court is staffed by judges, clerks, and trustees. Judges listed in the Courts Directory include Andrea K. McCord, James M. Carr, and Jeffrey J. Graham.
Indiana has two bankruptcy districts, Northern and Southern. Filers can't freely pick between them. Venue rules decide, as covered below.
The Seventh Circuit and appeals
The Southern District is in the Seventh Circuit, which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. A bankruptcy appeal generally goes first to the district court under 28 U.S.C. 158(a). A further appeal to the Seventh Circuit follows 158(d) and isn't automatic.
Matters the court handles
- Consumer bankruptcy and discharge matters
- Business reorganization
- Creditor claims and plan administration
- Motions and adversary proceedings
What the Court Handles
Chapters you'll encounter
- Chapter 7: liquidation, where a trustee generally sells non-exempt assets
- Chapter 13: an individual with regular income repays debts through a three-to-five-year plan
- Chapter 11: reorganization, usually for businesses, typically with the debtor remaining in control
- Chapters 9, 12, and 15: municipalities, family farmers, and cross-border cases
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 dominate here. U.S. Courts data shows 11,515 Southern District cases commenced in the 12 months ending June 30, 2026:
- Chapter 7: 6,397
- Chapter 13: 5,055
- Chapter 11: 57
- Other chapters: 6
Those are filing counts, not outcomes.
Cases, contested matters, and adversary proceedings
A contested matter is a dispute raised by motion. An adversary proceeding is effectively a lawsuit inside the case, started by a complaint under Rule 7001. That's why one docket can hold very different kinds of filings.
Typical docket milestones
- Petition opens the case
- Trustee appointment
- Schedules and statements filed
- Section 341 meeting of creditors
- Proofs of claim
- Motions and orders
- Plan confirmation (reorganization and repayment cases)
- Discharge, dismissal, or conversion
Local rules that matter
The local rules were amended through December 1, 2025. General Order 25-0003 took effect December 1, 2025, and a revised local Chapter 13 plan form took effect January 1, 2026. The local plan replaces Official Form 113.
Local rules also address proofs of claim, mortgage-lender notices, plan modifications, and wage assignments. Where more than one monthly mortgage payment is in arrears at filing, the local Chapter 13 rule generally routes ongoing mortgage payments through the trustee.
Read the current rules rather than relying on summaries.
The court administers and decides the case. Debtors, creditors, trustees, and attorneys each carry their own responsibilities.
Filing Jurisdiction, Divisions, and Case Process
The four divisions
| Division | Counties served | Clerk's office |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clinton, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Fountain, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tipton, Union, Wayne | 46 E Ohio St, Room 116, Indianapolis; (317) 229-3800 |
| Evansville | Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick | 101 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Room 352, Evansville; (812) 434-6470 |
| New Albany | Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Lawrence, Ohio, Orange, Ripley, Scott, Switzerland, Washington | 121 W Spring St, Room 110, New Albany; (812) 542-4540 |
| Terre Haute | Clay, Greene, Knox, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo | Courthouse at 921 Ohio St is not regularly staffed by bankruptcy personnel; contact Evansville at (812) 434-6470 |
How venue works
Under 28 U.S.C. 1408, venue generally follows where the debtor was domiciled, resided, or had a principal place of business or assets for the longer part of the 180 days before filing. Affiliate or partnership cases can create other options. Use the court's official division resources rather than a city name or a third-party map.
The filing sequence
- Review eligibility under 11 U.S.C. 109.
- Complete credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days before filing (individuals, subject to exceptions). Approved agencies are listed by the U.S. Trustee Program.
- Prepare the petition and schedules.
- File through the approved channel and pay the fee or request installments or a waiver.
- Receive trustee assignment and case notices.
Current total fees on the court schedule: Chapter 7 $338, Chapter 13 $313, Chapter 11 $1,738, Chapter 12 $278. Individuals may apply to pay in up to four installments. Only eligible Chapter 7 individuals can seek a waiver. Debtor checks and credit cards are not accepted; confirm permitted payment methods on the fee page.
What happens after filing
Filing generally triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. 362, subject to exceptions. Case activity then typically includes the meeting of creditors, claims and plan procedures, hearings, and eventual discharge, dismissal, or conversion. In Chapter 13, the trustee distributes plan payments, which generally begin within 30 days of filing.
For remote hearings, connection details appear on the hearing notice (see the court's Zoom guide). Follow your case-specific notice and the no-recording rule. Debtors can request DeBN electronic delivery of notices using the court's form.
Pre-filing checklist
- Confirm the correct division for your venue facts
- Use current local forms
- Verify current fees and accepted payment methods
- Gather identification and required documents
- Note deadlines and hearing instructions
- Save clerk and trustee contact details
Accessing Court Records and Monitoring Cases
PACER and CM/ECF
PACER is the public search and viewing system. CM/ECF is the electronic filing system used by authorized filers, and it generates case notices. Public users register for PACER; filing requires separate court registration.
PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3 per document, and waives quarterly charges of $30 or less. The national Case Locator updates nightly, while a specific-court search shows real-time court data.
Searching effectively
Search by party name or case number. Verify exact spellings and confirm the case number, since similar names are common. A docket can reveal:
- Chapter and filing date
- Judge and trustee
- Claims activity, motions, and plan events
- Orders, discharge, and dismissal
Privacy limits
Bankruptcy papers are generally public under 11 U.S.C. 107, with protections for certain confidential material. Rule 9037 limits public identifiers to the last four digits of SSNs and account numbers, birth year only, and a minor's initials. The court may seal filings.
Official alternatives
- Public-access computers at clerk's offices are free for viewing; printing costs extra.
- The McVCIS telephone service, free and available 24/7 at (866) 222-8029, searches by case number or party name.
- NARA's Kansas City facility holds older files. Cases from 1940 onward need a transfer number from the originating court.
Where BankruptcyData fits
BankruptcyData is a complementary research tool, not a replacement for official court records. Professionals use it to combine docket activity with stakeholder, advisor, capital-structure, and outcome information, including historical benchmarking and customizable alerts. Verify anything important on the official docket.
Why Southern District Data Matters to Professionals
Who uses it and how
- Law firms: track new filings, parties, and claims for case preparation, precedent research, and creditor representation.
- Lenders, suppliers, insurers, and credit teams: monitor counterparties for bankruptcy exposure.
- Distressed-debt investors: follow developments across a capital structure.
- Turnaround advisors and bankers: watch new filings, advisor mandates, plan milestones, and comparable outcomes.
ABI's Bankruptcy Analytics page describes an ABI/Epiq product offering daily metrics on new filings, open and closed cases, and key stakeholders. It shows the demand for monitoring workflows, though it publishes no accuracy or ROI figures.
Enterprise options
BankruptcyData, based in Massachusetts and operating since 1986, offers licensed datasets, API feeds, and MCP-based AI assistant connectivity covering 600k+ records over 45+ years of U.S. bankruptcy activity. Organizations use these for analytics, automation, and AI workflows.
Using data responsibly
- Treat aggregated data as a discovery aid, then confirm parties, claims, and orders in the live docket.
- Account for amended filings and docket timing. The national index lags the court's own search.
- Read the controlling order before relying on a summary.
- Don't treat database information as legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Southern District of Indiana?
It's a federal bankruptcy district covering central and southern Indiana through four divisions. It handles Chapter 7, 11, 13, and other cases. Verify current details at insb.uscourts.gov.
Is the Southern District of Indiana in the Seventh Circuit?
Yes. The Seventh Circuit covers Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Bankruptcy appeals generally go to the district court first, then to the circuit under 28 U.S.C. 158(d).
How do I look up my case online in Indiana?
Register for PACER and search by case number or party name. Confirm the case is in the correct federal district before relying on the docket.
Are court cases public record in Indiana?
Bankruptcy records are generally public federal records. Redactions, sealed documents, and protected personal information limit what you can see.
How does Chapter 13 work in Indiana?
You propose a three-to-five-year repayment plan, pay a trustee who distributes to creditors, and receive a discharge after completion, subject to exceptions. Check current local rules and consult an attorney.
How long does Chapter 7 stay on public record?
On a credit report, the FCRA limits reporting to 10 years from the order for relief. That's separate from court-record access, which depends on PACER, the court, or archives, with no single universal duration.
