Eastern District of Tennessee Bankruptcy Trustee Directory (2026)
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee operates across four primary divisions: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Greeneville, and Winchester. Administrative oversight is provided under the United States Trustee Program for Region 8 (serving Tennessee and Kentucky).
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees are responsible for reviewing financial disclosures, conducting mandatory 341 Meetings of Creditors, and supervising case compliance for Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 13 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farm cases, and Subchapter V small business reorganizations throughout the district.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Key Points: Eastern District of Tennessee Bankruptcy Trustees
- Bankruptcy Districts: The Eastern District of Tennessee comprises four locations: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Greeneville, and Winchester.
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Appointed Chapter 7 panel trustees examine the debtor’s petition, schedules, and financial disclosures, review pre-petition transfers, conduct the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, and liquidate non-exempt assets for distribution to unsecured creditors.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Standing trustees administer repayment plans through plan confirmation, collect monthly plan payments, and manage disbursements to creditors.
- Subchapter V Small Business Reorganizations: Appointed Subchapter V trustees facilitate consensual plan negotiations between small business debtors and creditors while monitoring corporate financial operations.
- Required Financial Documents: Debtors must submit mandatory financial documentation, including federal tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements, to the assigned trustee at least 7 days before the scheduled 341 Meeting of Creditors.
Eastern District of Tennessee Divisional Structure (2026)
The Eastern District of Tennessee has four primary divisions: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Greeneville, and Winchester. These divisions govern where a debtor’s petition is filed and administered, which determines the venue for the 341 Meeting of Creditors and the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustee.
Chattanooga Division (Southern Division)
The Chattanooga Division serves bankruptcy filers across nine counties in the southeastern portion of the district. Court proceedings, case filings, and 341 Meetings of Creditors for these jurisdictions are coordinated through the divisional office in Chattanooga:
Counties Served: Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie.
Courthouse Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
31 East 11th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Knoxville Division
The Knoxville Division serves bankruptcy filers across 14 counties in the central portion of East Tennessee.
Counties Served: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union.
Courthouse Address:
United States Bankruptcy Court
Howard H. Baker Jr. United States Courthouse
800 Market Street, Suite 330
Knoxville, TN 37902
Greeneville Division
The Greeneville office serves counties located in the northeastern portion of the district.
Counties Served: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington.
United States Bankruptcy Court
220 West Depot Street, Suite 200
Greeneville, TN 37743
General Information: Phone: (423) 787-0113
Winchester Division
The Winchester Division handles filings for 8 counties in the southern Middle/East border of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Counties Served: 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
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees (2026)
Chapter 7 trustees in the Eastern District of Tennessee administer bankruptcy estates pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §704(a). Upon appointment, a trustee’s primary role centers on evaluating the debtor’s petition, schedules, and financial statements to ensure complete accuracy.
The trustee also presides over the mandatory 341 Meeting of Creditors to examine the debtor under oath while also investigating their broader financial affairs, recent transactions, and potential pre-petition transfers. Ultimately, the trustee works to identify non-exempt property that can be liquidated to distribute proceeds to unsecured creditors.
Mandatory Pre-Meeting Document Disclosures
Shortly after a petition is filed, trustees request specific supporting financial documentation such as tax returns, tax transcripts, pay stubs, and bank statements to verify the accuracy of the debtor’s disclosures.
Under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 4002(b), these records must be submitted to the assigned trustee at least 7 days prior to the 341 Meeting. Failure to comply with these disclosures may result in the trustee continuing the 341 Meeting, issuing a motion to compel, or seeking case dismissal pursuant to Sections 521(a)(3) and (4).
Bankruptcy Trustees in the Eastern District of Tennessee
Below are the Chapter 7 trustees for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
| Trustee Name | Contact Information & Address |
| Heather Ellis Banks | 136 S. Illinois Avenue, Suite 104, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Phone: (865) 482-4466 Email: hbanks@msw-law.com |
| Elisabeth B. Donnovin | 428 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: (423) 266-2300 Email: edonnovin@johnsonmulroony.com |
| D. Stephen Duncan | P.O. Box 1848, Johnson City, TN 37605-1848 Phone: (423) 926-1357 Email: sduncan@duncanlawfirm.com |
| Trudy M. Edwards | 300 South College Street, Winchester, TN 37398 Phone: (931) 967-4303 Email: law.tedwards@gmail.com |
| Margaret B. Fugate | 111 W. Fairview Ave., Suite #2, Johnson City, TN 37604 Phone: (423) 928-6561 Email: mfugate@afglaw.com |
| Terry D. Gregory | 105 West Lincoln Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388 Phone: (931) 455-5407 Email: tgregory1@bellsouth.net |
| Ryan E. Jarrard | 800 South Gay Street, Suite 2121, Knoxville, TN 37929 Phone: (865) 524-1873 Email: rej@qcflaw.com |
| Douglas R. Johnson | 428 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: (423) 266-2300 Email: djohnson@johnsonmulroony.com |
| F. Scott Milligan | P.O. Box 12266, Knoxville, TN 37912 Phone: (865) 659-8543 Email: fsmilligan@outlook.com |
| Ann Reilly Mostoller | 136 South Illinois Avenue, Suite 104, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Phone: (865) 482-4466 Email: amostoller@msw-law.com |
| John P. Newton, Jr. | 8351 E. Walker Springs Lane, Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37923 Phone: (865) 588-5111 Email: johnnewton@mayerandnewton.com |
| Douglas L. Payne | 401 West Irish Street, Greeneville, TN 37743 Phone: (423) 639-2220 Email: dpaynelaw@comcast.net |
| M. Aaron Spencer | P.O. Box 900, Knoxville, TN 37901 Phone: (865) 215-1032 Email: aspencer@wmbac.com |
| Amanda Stofan | 7047 Lee Hwy, Ste. 205, Chattanooga, TN 37421 Phone: (423) 805-3100 Email: amanda@8053100.com |
Chapter 13 Standing Trustees
Chapter 13 standing trustees in the Eastern District of Tennessee administer wage earner reorganization plans pursuant to the statutory duties outlined in Sections 1302 and 1326. Their core responsibilities include verifying proposed budgets and schedules, examining debtors under oath during the mandatory Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, and analyzing proposed repayment plans for statutory compliance, good faith, and overall financial feasibility.
Beyond initial case evaluation, the trustee actively participates in pre-confirmation proceedings and confirmation hearings, collects direct or payroll-deducted monthly plan payments from debtors, and disburses those funds to secured, priority, and unsecured creditors in accordance with the court-confirmed reorganization plan.
Seven Chapter 13 standing trustees administer reorganization cases in the state of Tennessee, with two trustees designated for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
| Trustee Name | Contact Information & Address |
| Debra L. Miller | P.O. Box 59030, Knoxville, TN 37950 E-mail: trustee@ch13etn.com Phone: (865) 524-4995 |
| Kara L. West | P.O. Box 511, Chattanooga, TN 37401 E-mail: caseaccess@ch13-trustee.com Phone: (423) 265-2261 |
Conclusion
Understanding how the Eastern District of Tennessee is organized and knowing which trustee is assigned to your case is a critical component of navigating the bankruptcy process smoothly.
Whether you file a Chapter 7 liquidation or a Chapter 13 reorganization, timely compliance with trustee document requests and clear communication throughout your case are essential to successfully securing a discharge of your debts.
Trustees in the Eastern District of Tennessee oversee both liquidation and repayment matters across 41 counties split among the Chattanooga, Greeneville, Knoxville, and Winchester divisions.
Being prepared for your 341 Meeting of Creditors, responding promptly to requests for financial records, and ensuring your schedules are accurate will help the trustee complete their review efficiently while preventing unnecessary case delays or dismissal.
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
- 11 U.S.C. §704. Duties of trustee.
- Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Rule 4002 – Debtor’s Duties.
- 11 U.S.C. §521 – U.S. Code – Unannotated Title 11. Bankruptcy § 521. Debtor’s duties
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