A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Oklahoma
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma handles bankruptcy proceedings for the eastern portion of the state through the Muskogee location. This district oversees Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 cases and provides resources for both attorneys and pro se filers.
This guide includes key contact information on the clerk’s office, judges, staff, and other essential details for bankruptcy filings in the Eastern District.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Court Location and Jurisdiction
The Eastern District of Oklahoma operates as a single-division district headquartered in Muskogee. All filings, whether Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13, are processed through the Muskogee Clerk’s Office.
Counties within the Eastern District include Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah, and Wagoner.
General Court Contact & Location
The Clerk’s Office is the primary administrative point of contact for filings, case information, and records management. As always, federal law prohibits court personnel from providing legal advice.
Muskogee Clerk’s Office Contact Information
- Location: 101 N. Fifth St., Room 403, Muskogee, OK 74401 (P.O. Box 1888, Muskogee, OK 74402).
- General Phone: (918) 549-7200.
- Acting Clerk of Court: Jole Awtrey.
- Chief Deputy: Debi Anderson. 918-549-7228.
Security Reminder: Federal courthouses enforce identification and security screening requirements. Check local facility guidelines before arrival.
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (Eastern District of Oklahoma)
Below is a summary of annual bankruptcy filings across the Eastern District from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 1,105 | 141 | 1,251 |
| 2024 | 903 | 130 | 1,033 |
| 2023 | 761 | 120 | 881 |
Filing Fees (National Schedule – Applies to All Districts- 2026)
Bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly across all districts, including Oklahoma. Filing fees for cases submitted through CM/ECF must be paid online via Pay.gov.
Pro se filers can also pay filing fees with a cashier’s check or money order directly at the Muskogee Clerk’s Office, as personal checks are not accepted by the court. Below are the filing fees categorized by Chapter.
| Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 |
| Chapter 11 (Non–Small Business) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 11 (Subchapter V) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 12 | $278 |
Filing Fee Options
Debtors filing under Chapter 7 may request court approval to pay the filing fee in up to four installments. The final payment must be made within 120 days of the original petition filing date, though the court may extend this period up to 180 days for cause shown.
For Chapter 7, the court may waive the Chapter 7 filing fee if the debtor satisfies two statutory requirements under 28 U.S.C. 1930(f):
- The debtor’s household income falls below 150% of the official poverty line applicable to a family of the same size.
- The debtor is unable to pay the filing fee in installments.
| Persons in Family Unit | 48 Contiguous States & D.C. (Monthly) |
| 1 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $6,965.00 |
| Each additional person add | $710.00 |
How to Keep Track of Your Bankruptcy Case
Once your bankruptcy petition is filed, you can monitor your case through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is the federal judiciary’s online system for accessing all federal cases.
With PACER, you can track your case, including filings made by the bankruptcy trustee or creditors. Most documents cost $0.10 per page, and many basic docket views are free. PACER is the most reliable way to stay informed about your bankruptcy case from start to finish.
For a step‑by‑step guide on creating an account and using PACER, see my detailed article: How to Use PACER to Track Your Bankruptcy Case. You can also use the Multi‑Court Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS): 1‑866‑222‑8029, which provides automated case lookup by phone.
Bankruptcy Judge & Chambers Contacts
The Eastern District of Oklahoma is overseen by Chief Judge Paul R. Thomas.
- Courtroom Deputy: Cheryl Corley – (918) 549-7238.
- Career Law Clerk: Melanie Trump – (918) 549-7205.
- Judicial Assistant: Laura Herrick – (918) 549-7205.
As with all districts, local rules, general orders, and judge-specific preferences govern practice. Always verify current procedures before filing.
Conclusion
The Eastern District of Oklahoma bankruptcy court is located in Muskogee. Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, debtors must understand how median income, exemptions, and trustee review affect case outcomes. Because these factors vary by state, filers should review Oklahoma’s exemption laws and current means test figures before preparing a petition.
Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish at an international university.
Educational Resources
- For Institutions: Colleges and universities may request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
- For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
- Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Bankruptcy.blog YouTube Channel.
Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources
Explore additional consumer guides and state-specific directories to navigate your legal options:
- A step-by-step master guide to completing and understanding the bankruptcy petition.
- Bankruptcy Court Directory: Full listings for the federal bankruptcy court system and trustee contact information.
- State Bankruptcy Exemptions: Review your state‑specific exemptions or compare them with the federal exemptions.
- 341 Meeting Procedures: Prepare for your court date with updated rules, expectations, and practical guidance.
Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.
Statutory References and Official Forms
- Official Form 103A. Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments.
- Official Form 103B. Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.
- 28 U.S. Code §1930 – Bankruptcy fees.
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