U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
The Middle District of Tennessee is one of three federal bankruptcy districts serving residents and businesses throughout Tennessee. Together with the Eastern and Western Districts, it administers Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases filed within its jurisdiction.
This guide provides key information about the court, including divisional boundaries, courthouse locations, judicial assignments, Clerk’s Office contact information, filing procedures, and other resources that may be helpful to bankruptcy filers, creditors, and legal professionals.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Information
The Clerk’s Office manages the day-to-day administration of bankruptcy cases filed in the district. Its duties include maintaining case records, receiving and processing court filings, collecting required filing fees, and facilitating public access to bankruptcy court documents and information.
While Clerk’s Office personnel can provide information regarding court procedures, filing requirements, and available resources, they cannot offer legal advice, interpret bankruptcy laws, recommend courses of action, or assist individuals in completing bankruptcy forms.
Individuals visiting a bankruptcy courthouse should be prepared to undergo security screening before entering the facility. Government-issued identification may be required to gain access. Those attending hearings, creditor meetings, or other court-related proceedings may also wish to bring relevant case notices or scheduling information to assist court security personnel and courthouse staff.
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees, Installment Plans, and Waivers (2026)
Filing fees 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 seeking bankruptcy relief under Chapter 7 who are unable to pay the full filing fee when their case is submitted may ask the court for authorization to pay the fee over time. In most cases, the filing fee may be divided into as many as four payments, with the balance generally required to be paid within 120 days of the petition date. The court may allow additional time in appropriate circumstances.
Some debtors may also qualify for a Chapter 7 filing fee waiver. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1930(f), the court may waive the filing fee for eligible individuals whose household income falls below 150% of the applicable federal poverty guidelines and who demonstrate an inability to pay the fee, even through installment payments.
Anyone considering an installment payment request or fee waiver application should carefully review the procedures, forms, and eligibility requirements established by the Middle District of Tennessee. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to the court’s review of the debtor’s financial circumstances.
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 |
Below is a summary of annual bankruptcy filings in the Middle District of Tennessee from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 2,870 | 2,585 | 5,455 |
| 2024 | 2,565 | 2,429 | 4,994 |
| 2023 | 2,318 | 2,440 | 4,758 |
Comparative Multi-Year Filings (Eastern and Western District)
Historical filing data from Tennessee’s three bankruptcy districts reveals notable differences in chapter selection patterns. Among the districts, the Middle District has historically exhibited one of the more balanced distributions between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Below are the filing statistics for the Eastern District.
- 2025: 4,002 Chapter 7 filings vs. 3,403 Chapter 13 filings (7,405 total consumer cases).
- 2024: 3,668 Chapter 7 filings vs. 3,122 Chapter 13 filings (6,790 total consumer cases).
- 2023: 3,610 Chapter 7 filings vs. 3,075 Chapter 13 filings (6,685 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 Middle District of Tennessee
The Middle District of Tennessee maintains court facilities that serve bankruptcy filers throughout Middle Tennessee. Cases are assigned according to the county in which the debtor resides, conducts business, or maintains principal assets.
Knowing the appropriate division and courthouse location can help debtors, creditors, and attorneys determine where cases are administered, where hearings may take place, and where court services can be accessed.
Nashville Division
The Nashville Division serves as the primary administrative division of the Middle District of Tennessee and is home to the district’s main Clerk’s Office. Bankruptcy filings, case administration, and many court proceedings are handled through the Nashville courthouse.
The division serves the following 14 counties: Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson.
Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Tennessee
701 Broadway, Room 170
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 736-5584
Columbia Division
The Columbia Division serves counties located in the southern portion of Middle Tennessee. Although court proceedings may be conducted in Columbia, the location is not staffed by Clerk’s Office personnel on a full-time basis. Filers requiring administrative assistance should contact the Nashville Clerk’s Office.
The division serves the following 7 counties: Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, and Wayne.
Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
815 South Garden Street
Columbia, TN 38401
Cookeville Division
The Cookeville Division serves a large portion of the Upper Cumberland region. As with Columbia, Cookeville functions as an unstaffed court location where hearings may be conducted, while case administration and clerk services are provided through the Nashville office.
The division serves the following 11 counties: Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, and White.
Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
9 East Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Bankruptcy Judges for the Middle District
| Bankruptcy Judge | Contact Information |
| Randal S. Mashburn (Chief Judge) Nashville Division | Paralegal- Kate Bonner Law Clerk- Tracy Lujan Courtroom Deputy- Lolitha Scruggs Phone: (615) 736-5587 |
| Hon. Charles M. Walker Nashville Division | Paralegal- Leah Johnson Law Clerk- Mary Wilson Courtroom Deputy- Lauren Quarles Phone: (615) 736-5586 |
| Hon. Nancy B. King Nashville Division | Law Clerks- Deborah Lunn Rodd Barckhoff Courtroom Deputy- Jeremy Keimer Phone: (615) 736-5589 |
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
After a bankruptcy case is filed, parties can monitor case activity through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the federal judiciary’s online system for accessing bankruptcy dockets and court filings. Through PACER, users can review petitions, schedules, motions, trustee filings, creditor submissions, court orders, and other documents associated with a case.
PACER currently assesses a fee of $0.10 per page, with charges capped at $3.00 per document. Users who incur less than $30 in fees during a quarterly billing period are generally not billed.
Individuals seeking basic case information without using PACER may also access the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS). This automated service, like PACER, is available twenty-four hours a day and provides case status information by telephone at 866-222-8029.
Conclusion
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee administers bankruptcy cases for individuals and businesses throughout a large portion of central Tennessee. Whether a case is assigned to the Nashville, Columbia, or Cookeville Division, understanding the district’s filing procedures, divisional structure, courthouse locations, and available resources can help parties navigate the bankruptcy process more efficiently.
From accessing case information through PACER to contacting the Clerk’s Office and attending scheduled hearings, the resources outlined above are designed to assist debtors, creditors, trustees, and legal professionals throughout the life of a bankruptcy case. Individuals considering Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy should consult with a qualified Tennessee bankruptcy attorney to evaluate their circumstances and determine the most appropriate path toward financial relief.
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. Code §1930 – Bankruptcy fees.
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