A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of South Carolina
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina administers bankruptcy cases across the entire state with divisional offices located in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville.
This reference guide provides essential administrative details, including court locations, jurisdiction, and contact information for judges and staff for the District of South Carolina.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Information
The Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining case dockets, managing court filings, and overseeing administrative operations. Court staff and personnel are strictly prohibited by law from offering legal advice, interpreting statutory provisions, or recommending specific procedural tactics or forms.
All federal court facilities maintain rigorous security protocols. Attendees and visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification upon entry. If attending a scheduled hearing or court appearance, bringing a copy of your court notice will assist security staff in expediting your admittance through screening.
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees, Installment Plans, and Waivers (2026)
Bankruptcy 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 Payment Plans & Fee Waivers
Under Chapter 7, debtors who are unable to pay the statutory filing fee ($338) upfront at the time of filing may submit an application to pay the fee in up to four installments. Pursuant to federal rules, all installment payments must be completed within 120 days of the petition date.
Upon a showing of good cause, the bankruptcy court retains discretion to extend the final payment deadline up to 180 days. Under Local Rule 5080-1, the District of South Carolina requires an initial minimum payment at the time of filing when requesting an installment schedule.
Debtors facing extreme financial hardship may apply for a complete waiver of the Chapter 7 filing fee pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f). To qualify for a fee waiver, the debtor must demonstrate that their total household income falls below 150% of the official Poverty Guidelines and that they lack the financial means to satisfy the fee even through an installment plan.
Federal Poverty Guidelines (Monthly – 48 Contiguous States & D.C.)
| 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 South Carolina from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 1,813 | 3,368 | 5,181 |
| 2024 | 1,486 | 3,127 | 4,613 |
| 2023 | 1,266 | 2,749 | 4,015 |
United States Bankruptcy Court: District of South Carolina Divisions
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina has three divisional offices located across the state. Venue is determined by the debtor’s county of residence at the time of filing. Below is a detailed breakdown of the court divisions, jurisdictional counties, and official contact information for each location.
Charleston Division
The Charleston Division Office is located at the King and Queen Building, 145 King Street, Room 225, Charleston, South Carolina 29401. If you reside in the following counties, your case falls under the Charleston Division: Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, and Williamsburg.
- General Phone: (803) 765-5436 (Main Clerk’s Office).
- Clerk of Court: Lauren Maxwell.
Columbia Division
The Columbia Division Office is located at the J. Bratton Davis U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse, 1100 Laurel Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The following counties are part of the Columbia Division: Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter.
- General Phone: (803) 765-5436
Greenville Division
The Greenville Division Office is located at the C.F. Haynsworth Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 300 East Washington Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601. The following counties fall under the jurisdiction of the Greenville Division: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.
- General Phone: (803) 765-5436 (Main Clerk’s Office)
- Greenville Office Direct Phone: (864) 241-2700
Bankruptcy Judges (District of South Carolina)
Below is general information regarding the bankruptcy judges presiding over cases in the District of South Carolina. Because individual judges establish their own procedures, you must review the specific judge’s Chambers Guidelines before scheduling hearings and submitting proposed orders.
Chief Judge Helen E. Burris – Chambers & Scheduling Contacts
- Greenville Chambers Main Line: (864) 586-7306
- Law Clerk (M. Bozeman): (864) 586-7309
- Law Clerk (M. Moorehead): (864) 586-7317
- Hearing & Scheduling Inquiries: (803) 765-5436 (Select Option 7, then Option 1).
Judge L. Jefferson Davis, IV – Chambers & Staff Contacts
For matters before Judge L. Jefferson Davis, staff contact information is below:
- Law Clerk (Lauren Schumann): (843) 619-4995
- Law Clerk (Amanda Hoefer): (803) 765-5659
- Hearing & Scheduling Inquiries: (803) 765-5436 (Select Option 7, then Option 2).
Judge Elisabetta G. M. Gasparini- Chambers & Staff Contacts
Judge Gasparini’s office contact information is below:
- Law Clerk: Sarah Kistler (843) 619-4993
- Law Clerk: Sadie Mehr (803) 765-5658
- Hearing/Scheduling Questions: (803)765-5436, option 7, option 3.
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
Once you file your bankruptcy petition, you can view updates through PACER, the federal court’s online system which allows you to review the docket, and filings by the trustee or creditors. PACER charges up to $3 per document, however, usage fees are waived unless you exceed $30 in fees per quarter.
If you prefer to access case information by phone, you can call the Multi‑Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) at 866‑222‑8029.
Conclusion
Filing for bankruptcy in the District of South Carolina requires understanding how case administration and hearing dockets are distributed among the Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville court facilities.
Whether you need to file documents with the Clerk’s Office, contact the bankruptcy judge’s office, schedule hearings, or upload proposed orders, using the direct contacts listed above will help ensure your filings proceed smoothly.
For substantive legal advice regarding Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 representation, always consult with a qualified South Carolina bankruptcy attorney prior to contacting court personnel.
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.
Statutory References and Official Forms
- Official Form 103A. Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments.
- Official Form 103B. Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.
- 28 U.S. Code §1930 – Bankruptcy fees.
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