Understanding Bankruptcy in Iowa: Court Locations and Contacts
The bankruptcy courts in Iowa are divided into two judicial districts: the Northern District and the Southern District, each overseeing bankruptcy proceedings under Title 11 of the U.S. Code. These courts handle a range of cases—including Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 filings for individuals, businesses, and farms.
Updated on July 19, 2026.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
The Northern District, with courthouses in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City, serves over 50 counties across northeastern and northwestern Iowa. The Southern District, headquartered in Des Moines with additional courtrooms in Council Bluffs and Davenport, covers the remaining counties in the state.
Cedar Rapids Division includes the following counties: Benton, Cedar, Grundy, Hardin, Iowa, Jones, Linn, Tama
The Central Division includes: Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cerro Gordo, Emmet, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Webster, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright.
The Eastern Division includes: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Jackson, Mitchell, and Winneshiek.
Western Division includes: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury.
Below is the contact information for the bankruptcy court system, including other resources such as contact information for the Iowa bankruptcy trustee.
Court Locations
Cedar Rapids
111 7th Ave. SE,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401,
(319) 286-2200
Sioux City
320 6th Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
(712) 233-3939
Honorable Thad J. Collins, Chief Bankruptcy Judge
Northern District of Iowa
111 Seventh Avenue SE, # 23
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Staff Information
Angela Pruitt, Law Clerk
(319) 286-2230 Chambers
(319) 286-2290 Fax
United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Iowa
Office Hours
The regular business hours of the Clerk are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of the observed Federal Holidays.
Address
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
United States Courthouse
111 Locust Street, Office 320
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone
(515) 284-6230
Email
Bankruptcy_Court_Support@iasb.uscourts.gov
Honorable Lee M. Jackwig
Chambers Phone: (515) 284-6229
Career Law Clerk
Paul M. Wille
Phone: (515) 284-6302
Email: Paul_Wille@iasb.uscourts.gov
Calendar Clerk
Traci Sharp
Phone: (515) 284-7394
Fax: (515) 284-6404
Email: traci_sharp@iasb.uscourts.gov
For additional resources, see the Iowa bankruptcy exemptions page, along with the Northern and Southern Districts bankruptcy trustees’ information.
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.
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