A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania manages bankruptcy proceedings across the eastern section of the Commonwealth, with offices in Philadelphia and Reading.
This reference guide provides essential administrative details, including divisional office locations, contact directories, and court information for the Eastern District.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Court Location and Jurisdiction
The Clerk’s Office handles docket management, case administration, and public records intake. In accordance with federal guidelines, court staff and clerks are strictly prohibited from offering legal advice or interpreting statutory procedures.
Philadelphia Division Office
- Location: Robert N.C. Nix Sr. Federal Building, 900 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- General Phone: (215) 408-2800.
- Clerk of Court: Mohung Wong.
The following counties are pertain to the Philadelphia Office: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia
Reading Division Office
- Location: The Gateway Building, 201 Penn Street, Suite 103, Reading, PA 19601.
- General Phone: (610) 208-5040.
For residents of the following counties, bankruptcy petitions are filed in the Reading Division: Berks, Lancaster, Lehigh and Northampton.
Security Screening Notice: Federal facilities enforce strict visitor screening protocols, even if you are scheduled for a hearing. You must provide a valid government-issued photo identification. If you are scheduled to appear for a hearing, it’s recommended to also have your hearing notice readily available.
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Below is a summary of annual bankruptcy filings across the Eastern District from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 2,577 | 2,682 | 5,259 |
| 2024 | 2,146 | 2,469 | 4,615 |
| 2023 | 1,783 | 2,672 | 3,985 |
Pennsylvania Statewide Consumer Bankruptcy Filings
To understand the scale of the Eastern District’s docket, it helps to examine how local petitions stack up against the Commonwealth as a whole. Statewide bankruptcy filings reflect a steady upward climb across Pennsylvania over this three-year window:
- 2025: Chapter 7 filings reached 7,581, while Chapter 13 filings totaled 6,161 (bringing total statewide petitions to 13,742).
- 2024: Chapter 7 filings stood at 6,981, alongside 5,701 Chapter 13 filings (bringing total statewide petitions to 12,682).
- 2023: Chapter 7 filings recorded 5,725, paired with 5,187 Chapter 13 filings (bringing total statewide petitions to 10,912).
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees for 2026
Bankruptcy petition fees are uniform across all federal bankruptcy districts. Electronic filings submitted via CM/ECF require online payment through Pay.gov. Below are the filing fees categorized by chapter:
| 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 & Waivers
Debtors petitioning under Chapter 7 may apply to have the filing fee paid in up to four installments. The final installment must typically be done within 120 days of the petition date, though the court can extend this timeline up to 180 days upon a showing of cause.
Additionally, individual Chapter 7 debtors may petition the court for a full fee waiver pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f) if they meet two statutory criteria:
- The household income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for a family unit of equivalent size.
- The debtor is financially unable to pay the fee even through installment plans.
Below are the federal poverty guidelines:
| Persons in Family Unit | 48 Contiguous States & D.C. (Monthly) |
| 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 |
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
Following the filing of your bankruptcy petition, you can track your case via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER tracks dockets, trustee actions, and creditor claims. Documents cost a maximum of $3 and you are only billed if usage exceeds $30 for the quarter.
For automated audio case inquiries, parties can call the Multi-Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) at 866-222-8029.
Bankruptcy Judges
Review the directory below for judge and chambers contact details. Filers should consult their assigned judge’s individual practice guidelines prior to noticing or scheduling any court proceedings.
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Chief Judge Ashely M. Chan | Philadelphia | Main Phone: (215) 408-2830 Courtroom Deputy (Pamela Blalock): (215) 408-2821 Electronic Court Reporter (Tasha Dawsonia): (215) 408-2846 Law Clerks: Kristen Burns, Korinne Dunn |
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Judge Patricia M. Mayer | Reading | Main Phone: (610) 208-5030 Law Clerks: Anna Marks, Christopher Wafi |
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Judge Derek J. Baker | Philadelphia | Main Phone: (215) 408-2978 Judicial Assistant: Kristina Gold Law Clerk: Kalina Mesrobian Courtroom Deputy (John Barbetta): (215) 408-2839 Electronic Court Recorder (Chris Caruso): (215) 408-2824 |
Conclusion
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handles cases from nine counties in the eastern region of the state, operating through its Philadelphia and Reading locations. Because chapter selection depends on exemptions, median‑income calculations, and the value of your assets, it is important to review Pennsylvania’s exemption statutes and the current means‑test thresholds before filing a case.
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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