How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Indiana
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Hoosiers file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Indiana
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated March 2, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Indiana
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Indiana involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee — and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify.
If your income is below Indiana’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
How filing works with Upsolve →
Indiana has two bankruptcy districts — Northern and Southern — and each one has its own filing rules and local forms requirements. The Indiana Bankruptcy Districts section below covers courthouse locations and specific instructions for your county.
Both districts accept filings in person, by mail, or online.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
You’ll find the filing fee payment options for your county in the Indiana Bankruptcy Districts section below.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Indiana Bankruptcy Districts
Indiana has two bankruptcy districts and eight divisional courthouses. To figure out which district you’re in and which court to file at, find your county in the chart below.
| District | Division/Courthouse | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Indiana | South Bend Division | Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley |
| Fort Wayne Division | Cass, Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, and Wabash | |
| Hammond Division | Benton, Carroll, Jasper, Newton, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White | |
| Lafayette Division | Lake and Porter | |
| Southern District of Indiana | Evansville Division | Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick |
| Indianapolis Division | 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, and Wayne | |
| New Albany Division | Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Lawrence, Ohio, Orange, Ripley, Scott, Switzerland, and Washington | |
| Terre Haute Division | Clay, Greene, Knox, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo |
Local Forms/Requirements for the Northern District
⬇️ Once you know your division, use the addresses below to find your courthouse.
| Division | Court Addresses |
|---|---|
| South Bend | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 401 South Michigan Street South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Fort Wayne | U.S. Bankruptcy Court E. Ross Adair Federal Building and Federal Courthouse 1300 South Harrison Street, Room 1188 Fort Wayne, IN 46802-3435 |
| Hammond | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 5400 Federal Plaza, Room 2200 Hammond, IN 46320 |
| Lafayette | Lafayette Division doesn't have a filing location. Use one of the other divisional offices: South Bend, Fort Wayne, or Hammond. |
The Northern District uses the standard federal forms, but the court does have specific formatting rules for your creditor matrix — the list of everyone you owe money to — and requires a signed verification that the list is complete and accurate.
In the Northern District, you can file your forms in person or by mail at the courthouse that serves your county, or electronically using the court's free Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.
If you file using eSR, you'll have 14 days after completing your forms to submit the following:
Payment of the filing fee, a fee waiver application, or a request to pay in installments
A copy of a Certificate of Credit Counseling
Original signed and dated signature pages of:
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee in cash (exact amount) or with a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Do not send cash through the mail.
Local Forms/Requirements for the Southern District
⬇️ Once you know your division, use the addresses below to find your courthouse.
| Division | Court Address |
|---|---|
| Evansville | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 101 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Room 352 Evansville, IN 47708 |
| Indianapolis | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 46 East Ohio Street, Room 116 Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| New Albany | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 121 West Spring Street, Room 110 New Albany, IN 47150 |
| Terre Haute | Terre Haute Division doesn't have a filing location. Use the Evansville courthouse at the address above. |
The Southern District uses the standard federal forms but also has a few local requirements. You’ll need to follow specific formatting rules for your creditor matrix — the list of everyone you owe money to — and submit a signed verification and a Payment Advice Cover Sheet. You can find all of these in the court's Pro Se Debtor Packet.
In the Southern District, you can file your forms in person or by mail at the courthouse that serves your county, or electronically using the court's free Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.
If you file using eSR, you'll have 14 days after completing your forms to submit the following:
Payment of the filing fee, a fee waiver application, or a request to pay in installments
A copy of a Certificate of Credit Counseling
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee with a debit card or bank account online at pay.gov. If you prefer to pay in person or by mail, those payments must go to the Indianapolis location regardless of your division. They can be made with a debit card or a money order or cashier's check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court with your case number included.
After your case is open, you can submit follow-up documents through the court's Pro Se Document Portal. This is useful whether you filed by mail, in person, or through eSR.
Additional Documents to Send to Your Trustee
In the Southern District of Indiana, trustees have a list of required documents used in every case. At least seven days before your 341 meeting, you’ll need to send:
Your most recently filed tax return, including W-2s
The last three months of bank statements for checking, savings, and investment accounts, and the most recent statement for any retirement accounts
Your spouse's income documentation (if married and filing individually)
Proof of certain expenses, like private school tuition, if claimed on your means test
Court documents, like complaints, judgments, or divorce paperwork from the last three years
Deeds, mortgages, and property appraisals or tax assessments for any real estate you own
Info about any domestic support obligations
Free Legal Aid in Indiana
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Indiana.
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (317) 631-9410 1200 S. Madison Street, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46225
