A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Western District of North Carolina
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina handles bankruptcy proceedings across the western portion of the state, stretching from the Piedmont region to the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, with offices in Asheville, Charlotte, and Statesville.
In this guide, you will find key contact information for the Western District’s judges, including Chief Judge Laura T. Beyer, Judge Ashley Austin Edwards, and Judge George R. Hodges, along with their courtroom deputies, law clerks, and other important contact information.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Contact & Locations
The Clerk’s Office acts as the primary administrative point of contact for case filings and records management. As a reminder, state and federal law strictly prohibits court personnel from providing legal advice.
| Office / Division | Contact Information |
| Charlotte Office (Headquarters) | (704) 350-7500 |
| Asheville Office | (828) 771-7300 |
| Statesville Office | (704) 871-4280 |
| Multi-court VCIS | 1-866-222-8029 |
| Public Office Hours | Mon – Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed for lunch 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM) |
Security Reminder: Check individual facility guidelines regarding identification requirements when passing through security checkpoints at federal courthouse buildings within the district.
Primary Court Locations
- Charlotte (Headquarters): Charles R. Jonas Federal Building, 401 West Trade Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202.
- Asheville: U.S. Courthouse, 100 Otis Street, Room 112, Asheville, NC 28801.
- Statesville: U.S. Courthouse, 200 West Broad Street, Room 301, Statesville, NC 28677.
- Shelby: Cleveland County Courthouse, 100 Justice Place, Shelby, NC 28150.
Bankruptcy Judges and Administration
The bankruptcy judges of the Western District of North Carolina oversee Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 dockets.
Hon. Laura T. Beyer (Chief Judge)
- Role / Contact Person: Main Chambers / General Contact — Phone: (704) 350-7575.
- Judicial Assistant: Patti Foy — Phone: (704) 350-7565
- Law Clerk: Christopher Badger — Phone: (704) 350-7575
- Email (Hearings/Calendar): Beyer_hearings@ncwb.uscourts.gov.
Hon. Ashley Austin Edwards (Bankruptcy Judge)
- Role / Contact Person: Main Chambers / General Contact — Phone: (704) 350-7570
- Law Clerk: Owen Tremblay — Phone: (704) 350-7570
- Law Clerk: Sam Braden — Phone: (704) 350-7570
- Email (Hearings/Calendar): Edwards_hearings@ncwb.uscourts.gov.
Hon. George R. Hodges (Bankruptcy Judge)
- Role / Contact Person: Asheville Division / Chambers — Phone: (828) 771-7313 (Note: Asheville chambers are staffed primarily on court dates; otherwise contact Charlotte).
- Judicial Assistant: Patti Foy — Phone: (704) 350-7565 (Charlotte Main)
- Email (Hearings/Calendar): Hodges_hearings@ncwb.uscourts.gov.
Jurisdiction and Filing Divisions
The Western District encompasses 32 counties across the western region of the state. Bankruptcy cases are allocated to specific divisions based primarily on the debtor’s county of residence or principal place of business:
- Asheville Division: Serves Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania, and Yancey counties.
- Bryson City Division: Serves Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
- Charlotte Division: Serves Anson, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union counties.
- Shelby Division: Serves Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, Lincoln, Polk, and Rutherford counties.
- Wilkesboro Division: Serves Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, Watauga, and Wilkes counties.
Filing Fees (Western District of North Carolina)
Bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly across all districts, including the Western District of North Carolina. Fees may change periodically, so filers should verify current amounts on the court’s official website before submitting a petition.
Current Bankruptcy Filing Fees (2026)
- Chapter 7: $338.
- Chapter 13: $313.
- Chapter 11 (Non‑Small Business): $1,738.
- Chapter 11 (Subchapter V): $1,738.
- Chapter 12: $278.
Installment Payments (Chapter 7 Only): Debtors may file an application to pay the Chapter 7 filing fee in up to four installments, with the final payment due no later than 120 days after filing. The court may extend this deadline to 180 days for good cause.
Fee Waivers (Chapter 7 Only): Debtors can apply for a fee waiver if:
- The debtor’s household income is below 150% of the federal poverty line, and
- The debtor is unable to pay the fee in installments.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Attorney‑filed cases: Paid through CM/ECF.
- Pro se filers: Cashier’s check or money order at Charlotte, Asheville, or Statesville.
- Personal checks are not accepted.
North Carolina Median Income Table (Means Test Eligibility (Effective April 1, 2026)
The means test determines whether a debtor qualifies for Chapter 7 or must proceed under Chapter 13. Median income figures are published by the U.S. Trustee Program and updated twice per year. Below are the median income figures for North Carolina.
| Household Size | Median Income |
| 1 | $67,117 |
| 2 | $84,384 |
| 3 | $101,535 |
| 4 | $116,737 |
| 5+ | Add $11,100 per additional household member |
How This Applies in the Western District
Debtors who fall below the applicable median income generally qualify for Chapter 7, but eligibility is not automatic. Trustees and courts also examine disposable income on Schedules I (Income) and J (Expenses) to determine whether the debtor has meaningful surplus income.
Debtors with incomes above the median must complete the full means test to determine Chapter 7 eligibility; otherwise, they are directed to Chapter 13.
Exemptions also influence whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is appropriate, because the ability to protect assets, or the lack of available exemptions, can dictate whether liquidation or reorganization is the better filing strategy.
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (Western District of North Carolina)
To show how bankruptcy activity has shifted across the Western District, reviewing past filing trends helps clarify the district’s long-term volume.
| Calendar Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 1,142 | 1,329 | 2,471 |
| 2024 | 910 | 1,248 | 2,159 |
| 2023 | 752 | 979 | 1,731 |
Important Note
Practice within the Western District of North Carolina is governed by localized rules, standing administrative orders, and individual judge preferences. Because procedural requirements and local forms are subject to updates, attorneys and pro se filers must verify current guidelines directly on the official Western District Bankruptcy Court website prior to submitting petitions or pleadings.
Conclusion
The Western District of North Carolina remains one of the state’s busiest bankruptcy jurisdictions, with procedures shaped by local rules, judge‑specific preferences, and division‑based filing requirements. Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, debtors must understand how median income, exemptions, and trustees affect the outcome of their case. Because these factors vary by state, filers should review North Carolina’s exemption laws and current means test figures before preparing a petition.
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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