A basic knowledge of the District Court of Louisiana can be very beneficial if you ever have to file bankruptcy or find yourself a creditor when someone else does. Regardless of the circumstances, it helps to understand the court process and know a little about general bankruptcy rules.

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Louisiana District Court can assist you with both. Three districts make up the Louisiana Bankruptcy court: the western, middle and eastern districts. When examining the United States District Court Louisiana, consider the following:

1. New requirements through the Louisiana Federal District Court make it difficult for an individual to take advantage of bankruptcy as a means to get out of debt.

2. All three districts, including the Eastern District Court of Louisiana, provide downloads of bankruptcy case forms.

3. Each bankruptcy district provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Louisiana District Court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

File a bankruptcy or creditor claim with the Louisiana State District Courts

In order to file bankruptcy, you must meet specific eligibility requirements and follow rules of procedure. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney to make sure it's the right choice for you. Additionally, if you find that someone who owes you money files bankruptcy, it's important that you file a claim form to make sure you're on the list of creditors. That is the only way you will receive funds if the debtor failed to list you as someone he owes money to, providing the trustee has funds to distribute.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Courts Federal Judiciary for information on bankruptcy basics, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, the most frequently filed types. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Louisiana provides answers to frequently asked questions on bankruptcy filing and documents to help get you started. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Louisiana provides information the National Creditor Registration Service that allows creditors to register their preferred address to receive notifications of bankruptcies that list them as a creditor.

Procure forms for Louisiana District Court cases

There are a large number of forms filed in a bankruptcy case. In fact, the District Courts state of Louisiana, along with all other states, provides access to an Internet filing system, which most bankruptcy attorneys use today. In order to file online, however, you need the appropriate Internet friendly forms. You can access most of these on any of the District Court of Louisiana websites.

I recommend: Go to the website for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Louisiana to obtain both local and official bankruptcy forms. Download PDF files of each individual form, which are ready to fill out with your case information, save and file online, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Louisiana, including a creditor Proof of Claim form.

Access Louisiana District Court filings through CM/ECF

Public Access to Court Electronic Records, also known as PACER, is a case access system used nationwide. Each district bankruptcy court has its own PACER database called CM/ECF, or electronic case filing system. This allows bankruptcy courts to accept case document filings and provide access to those documents over the Internet. You must obtain a login and password through the CM/ECF system.

I recommend: In order to access bankruptcy case records and file bankruptcy documents online, you must register for a Public Access to Court Electronic Records account. Sift through case records by clicking the CM/ECF login link on any of the Louisiana bankruptcy court sites, and accessing pages like the Louisiana Eastern District Court Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of the District Court of Louisiana, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.