U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Western District of Missouri
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri (MOWB) handles bankruptcy cases across five divisions: Western (Kansas City), Central (Jefferson City), Southern (Springfield), St. Joseph, and Southwestern (Joplin).
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
The Clerk’s Office is permanently staffed at the Kansas City location, which serves as the only location for filing bankruptcy cases in the Western District.
General Court Contact & Locations for the Western District
The Clerk’s Office is the main point of contact for case administration, general inquiries, and filing. Please note that the Clerk’s Office cannot provide legal advice.
| Office Role | Contact Information |
| Clerk’s Office Main Line (Bankruptcy) | (816) 512-1800 |
| CM/ECF Help Desk (Toll-Free) | 1-800-466-9302 |
| Voice Case Information System (VCIS) | 1-866-222-8029 ext. 6174 |
| Office Hours (Phone) | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Office Hours (Public Counter) | Check Court Website for most current hours (typically 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) |
| Court Executive / Clerk of Court | Paige Wymore-Wynn (Shared with District Court) |
Western Division (Kansas City – Main Office)
This is the location of the Clerk’s Office and the only physical location where bankruptcy cases can be filed.
- Location: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse, 400 E. 9th Street, Room 1510, Kansas City, MO 64106.
- Bankruptcy Phone: (816) 512-1800.
Bankruptcy Judges
The U.S. Bankruptcy Judges for the Western District of Missouri are primarily located at the main court office in Kansas City.
| Judge | Phone Number | Chambers Location |
| Hon. Cynthia A. Norton, Chief Judge | (816) 512-1895 | Kansas City |
| Hon. Brian T. Fenimore | (816) 512-1910 | Kansas City |
Divisions and Counties
The Western District of Missouri is composed of 66 counties, which are grouped into five divisions for scheduling hearings and other matters. Please note that while hearings may be held in divisional courthouses, all bankruptcy filings must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office in Kansas City as the other locations are unstaffed.
Western Division (Kansas City)
| County Name | County Name | County Name | County Name |
| Bates | Carroll | Cass | Clay |
| Henry | Jackson | Johnson | Lafayette |
| Ray | St. Clair | Saline |
Central Division (Jefferson City)
Hearings may be held at the Christopher S. Bond Courthouse, 80 Lafayette Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101. Telephone: 573-636-4015
| County Name | County Name | County Name | County Name |
| Benton | Boone | Callaway | Camden |
| Cole | Cooper | Hickory | Howard |
| Miller | Moniteau | Morgan | Osage |
| Pettis |
Southern Division (Springfield)
Hearings may be held at the United States Courthouse in Springfield, which is located at 222 N. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, MO 65806. Telephone Contact information: 417-865-3869
| County Name | County Name | County Name | County Name |
| Cedar | Christian | Dade | Dallas |
| Douglas | Greene | Howell | Laclede |
| Oregon | Ozark | Polk | Pulaski |
| Taney | Texas | Webster | Wright |
St. Joseph Division
Hearings may be held in St. Joseph.
| County Name | County Name | County Name | County Name |
| Andrew | Atchison | Buchanan | Caldwell |
| Clinton | Daviess | DeKalb | Gentry |
| Grundy | Harrison | Holt | Livingston |
| Mercer | Nodaway | Platte | Putnam |
| Sullivan | Worth |
Southwestern Division (Joplin)
Hearings may be held in Joplin.
| County Name | County Name | County Name | County Name |
| Barry | Barton | Jasper | Lawrence |
| McDonald | Newton | Stone | Vernon |
Professor’s Important Note
As a final reminder, local rules and procedures can vary significantly between districts, even within the same state. Always confirm your district’s specific local bankruptcy rules and General Orders on the court’s official website for the most current and accurate information.
If you need information about the Eastern District, it is available via this link.
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 can purchase or 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 Prof. Hernandez YouTube Channel.
Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources
Explore a deep dive for consumer guides and court directories to navigate your legal options:
- A step-by-step master guide on Filing for Bankruptcy and Navigating the Petition.
- Access full directories for the Federal Bankruptcy Court System and Trustee Contact Information.
- Protect your assets by reviewing your specific State Bankruptcy Exemptions or compare them against the Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions.
- Prepare for your court date with the updated brief on the 341 Meeting of Creditors Rules and Procedures.
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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