U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
The Eastern District is one of three federal bankruptcy districts serving residents and businesses across the state. Along with the Middle and Western Districts, it administers Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases arising within its assigned counties.
This resource includes essential court information, such as office locations, divisional coverage, judicial assignments, clerk’s office contacts, and other administrative resources for bankruptcy filers and practitioners.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Information
The Clerk of Court manages the administrative functions of the bankruptcy court, including maintaining official case records, processing filings, collecting fees, and providing public access to bankruptcy case information.
Although court employees can assist with procedural questions and direct visitors to available resources, they cannot explain how bankruptcy laws apply to a particular situation, recommend legal strategies, or advise parties on how to complete bankruptcy forms.
Visitors to bankruptcy court facilities should expect to pass through security screening before entering the building. A valid government-issued photo ID may be required for admission. Individuals attending hearings, meetings, or other court proceedings should consider bringing any relevant court notices or scheduling documents to help verify the purpose of their visit and facilitate entry into the courthouse.
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees, Installment Plans, and Waivers (2026)
Federal court fees, including for bankruptcy, are uniform nationwide. Electronic filings submitted through CM/ECF require payment via Pay.gov. Below are the filing fees for each Chapter in bankruptcy.
| Bankruptcy Chapter | Fee Amount |
| Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 |
| Chapter 11 (Non–Small Business) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 11 (Subchapter V) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 12 | $278 |
Filing Fee Installment Payments and Fee Waivers
Individuals filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case who cannot afford to pay the entire filing fee at the time of filing may request permission from the court to pay the fee in installments. Federal bankruptcy rules permit payment of the filing fee in as many as four installments, with all payments typically due within 120 days after the bankruptcy petition is filed. In limited circumstances, the court may extend the payment deadline with good cause shown.
Debtors experiencing significant financial hardship may also seek a waiver of the Chapter 7 filing fee. Under 28 U.S.C. §1930(f), a fee waiver may be granted if the debtor’s household income is less than 150% of the applicable federal poverty guideline and the court determines that the debtor is unable to pay the filing fee in installments.
Before requesting either installment payments or a fee waiver, debtors should review the applicable forms and requirements of the Eastern District of Tennessee, as approval is not automatic and remains subject to court review.
Below are the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
| Persons in Household | Monthly Income |
| 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 |
Bankruptcy Filings for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Below is a summary of annual bankruptcy filings in South Carolina from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 4,002 | 3,403 | 7,405 |
| 2024 | 3,668 | 3,122 | 6,810 |
| 2023 | 3,610 | 3,075 | 6,685 |
Source: U.S. Courts
Comparative Multi-Year Filings (Middle and Western District)
The historical filing metrics from the Middle and Western Districts highlight two very different bankruptcy environments. In the Middle District of Tennessee which is in the Nashville area, reflects a relatively balanced split between Chapter 7 liquidations and Chapter 13 reorganizations.
- 2025: 2,870 Chapter 7 filings vs. 2,585 Chapter 13 filings (5,455 total consumer cases).
- 2024: 2,565 Chapter 7 filings vs. 2,429 Chapter 13 filings (4,994 total consumer cases).
- 2023: 2,318 Chapter 7 filings vs. 2,440 Chapter 13 filings (4,758 total consumer cases).
The Western District of Tennessee which is the Memphis area, features one of the highest Chapter 13 ratios in the United States, with wage-earner repayment plans consistently outnumbering Chapter 7 filings by nearly 3-to-1.
- 2025: 2,354 Chapter 7 filings vs. 6,261 Chapter 13 filings (8,615 total consumer cases).
- 2024: 2,129 Chapter 7 filings vs. 6,084 Chapter 13 filings (8,213 total consumer cases).
- 2023: 1,857 Chapter 7 filings vs. 6,241 Chapter 13 filings (8,098 total consumer cases).
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District
The Eastern District operates through multiple court locations that serve counties throughout East Tennessee. Bankruptcy cases are generally assigned based on the debtor’s county of residence, principal place of business, or location of principal assets. Understanding the proper division can help filers, creditors, and attorneys determine where hearings may be conducted and where court services are available.
Chattanooga Division
The Chattanooga office serves bankruptcy filers from counties located in the southeastern portion of the district. Court proceedings, filings, and administrative services for these counties are coordinated through the Chattanooga division office. The following counties are part of the Chattanooga Division: Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn, Sequatchie, Marion, Hamilton, Bradley and Polk.
Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
31 East 11th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
General Information: Phone: (423) 752-5163
Christopher Call, Clerk of Court
Knoxville Division
The Knoxville office serves a significant portion of East Tennessee and functions as the district’s primary administrative location. The Knoxville Division handles filings from the following counties: Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Anderson, Union, Grainger, Roane, Knox, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Blount, and Sevier.
Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Howard H. Baker Jr. United States Courthouse
800 Market Street, Suite 330
Knoxville, TN 37902
General Information: Phone: (865) 545-4279
Chief Deputy Clerk: Caitlin Ray.
Greeneville Division
The Greeneville office serves counties located in the northeastern portion of the district. Filers in the following counties belong in the Greeneville Division: Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, Johnson, Hamblen, Cocke, Greene, Washington, Carter, Unicoi.
United States Bankruptcy Court
220 West Depot Street, Suite 200
Greeneville, TN 37743
General Information: Phone: (423) 787-0113
Winchester Division
The Winchester office serves the following counties: Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln, Moore, Van Buren, and Warren.
United States Bankruptcy Court
U.S. Post Office & Courthouse
Second Floor Courtroom
200 South Jefferson Street
Winchester, TN 37398
Bankruptcy Judges for the Eastern District
| Bankruptcy Judge | Contact Information |
| Hon. Suzanne H. Bauknight (Chief Judge) Knoxville Division | Law Clerk- Shanna Fuller Veach Courtroom Deputy- Heather Connatser Judicial Assistant- Teresa Wheeler Phone: (865) 545-4284 |
| Hon. Nicholas W. Whittenburg Chattanooga Division | Sheri A. Lowe, Courtroom Deputy Hardy DeLaughter, Career Law Clerk Bill Schumacher, Term Law Clerk Phone: (423) 752-5260 |
| Hon. Rachel Ralston Mancl Greeneville Division | Marvin Campbell, Career Law Clerk Direct (423) 783-2503 or 552-2255 Kimberly Easterly, Courtroom Deputy Evan Kelley, Term Law Clerk Phone: (423) 638-2264 |
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
Once you file your bankruptcy petition, you can monitor your case through PACER, the federal judiciary’s online case access system. PACER allows you to review your case docket, court filings, and documents filed by the trustee, creditors, and other parties. PACER charges users $0.10 per page, subject to a maximum charge of $3.00 per document. However, fees are waived for users whose total charges do not exceed $30 in a quarterly billing cycle.
If you prefer to access basic case information by phone, you can call the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) at 866-222-8029, which provides automated case status information 24 hours a day.
Conclusion
The Eastern District of Tennessee Bankruptcy Court serves debtors, creditors, trustees, and attorneys throughout East Tennessee. Understanding where to file your case, how to access court records, and how to contact the appropriate court office can help you navigate the bankruptcy process more effectively.
Whether you need to file documents, review case activity, attend hearings, or obtain assistance from the Clerk’s Office, the contact information and resources provided above can help you manage your case with confidence.
If you are considering filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Tennessee, consult with an experienced Tennessee bankruptcy attorney to discuss your options and determine the best course of action based on your financial circumstances.
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.
Bankruptcy Code References
- 28 U.S.C. §1930 (2024). Bankruptcy fees
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