Florida Bankruptcy Courts
The Florida Bankruptcy System is divided into 3 federal districts. Each of these districts are
subdivided into divisions which serve specific counties. For division specific information, see:
According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the 2003 national rate
of filing personal bankruptcy was one in every 79.1 households (1.27%).
At this rate, over the next 30 years, 38% of all U.S. households will be liquidated by
the federal court system. In Florida, the rate is one in every 84.5 households
which ranks 25 in the country.
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Total Florida Bankruptcy Filings in 2003 |
| District |
Total |
Ch 7 |
Ch 11 |
Ch 12 |
Ch 13 |
| Northern |
1,823 |
1,467 |
2 |
2 |
354 |
| Middle |
55,004 |
39,443 |
241 |
5 |
15,315 |
| Southern |
32,978 |
22,953 |
255 |
1 |
9,764 |
| Total |
89,805 |
76,863 |
498 |
8 |
25,433 |
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Businesses Filing Florida Bankruptcy in 2003 |
| District |
Total |
Ch 7 |
Ch 11 |
Ch 12 |
Ch 13 |
| Northern |
61 |
40 |
18 |
2 |
1 |
| Middle |
728 |
431 |
200 |
5 |
92 |
| Southern |
887 |
595 |
231 |
1 |
55 |
| Total |
1,676 |
1,065 |
449 |
8 |
148 |
Laws, rules, and practices of Florida bankruptcy lawyers are changing rapidly. New Code amendments are expected at
any time, designed specifically to limit consumer access to discharge of debts in all proceedings.
Mandatory fines and penalties targeting debtors will be increased, along with new creditor options for
enforcement.
Florida Bankruptcy Practices - Local Rules
Each Division maintains Florida bankruptcy local rules of court.
Many local rules are standardized across the county and provide further
clarification and instructions for administrative responsibilities of
attorneys. For instance, instructions on filing additional declarations
and required data are not included within the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, but
are however routinely published by the Clerk of the Court along with Florida bankruptcy records. Local rules
also may include unique location specific instructions applicable only
to a particular district or division. All debtors filing pro se must also follow
local rules regardless of actual notice. A violation of local rules
may result in dismissal. Copies of local rules are available from the Clerk of the Court for
each Florida Bankruptcy Division. Courts may also offer a glossary of Florida bankruptcy terms that provide
definitions of common words and phrases.
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Florida Bankruptcy Court Directory