A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of South Dakota
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota oversees all federal bankruptcy matters across the state. Operating as a single judicial district, the court handles case intake and administration through its staffed Clerk’s Offices in Sioux Falls and Pierre, while hearings may be held in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen.
This guide provides an overview of South Dakota’s bankruptcy court system, detailing office locations, divisional jurisdiction, hearing venues, and key contacts for the judge and administrative personnel.
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. While court employees can provide assistance with administrative matters, court staff and personnel are strictly prohibited by law from offering legal advice, interpreting statutory provisions, or recommending specific procedural tactics or forms.
Visitors to federal courthouses should expect to undergo security screening before entering the building. A valid government-issued photo identification may be required for entry. Individuals attending hearings or other court proceedings should consider bringing a copy of their notice of hearing or other court documentation to help facilitate entry.
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees, Installment Plans, and Waivers (2026)
Bankruptcy filing fees are established by federal law and are consistent in every bankruptcy court throughout the United States. Parties who file documents electronically through the CM/ECF system must submit applicable fees through Pay.gov. The current filing fees for the different chapters of the Bankruptcy Code are summarized below.
| 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 |
Chapter 7 Filing Fee Installments and Waivers
Individuals filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case who cannot pay the full filing fee at the time of filing may request permission to pay the fee in as many as four installments. Under the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, all installment payments generally must be completed within 120 days after the petition date. For cause shown, the bankruptcy court may extend the payment deadline to a maximum of 180 days.
Debtors experiencing significant financial hardship may also seek a waiver of the Chapter 7 filing fee pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1930(f). To qualify, the debtor must establish that their household income is less than 150% of the applicable federal poverty guideline and that they are unable to pay the filing fee in installments.
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 Dakota from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 505 | 158 | 663 |
| 2024 | 464 | 153 | 617 |
| 2023 | 459 | 163 | 622 |
United States Bankruptcy Court: District of South Dakota Court Locations
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota serves all 66 counties across the state. Case filings and clerk operations are managed through two physical Clerk’s Office locations based on the statutory division.
The Southern Division (Sioux Falls Office) handles case administration for southeastern counties including Minnehaha, Lincoln, Brookings, Yankton, and Clay.
The Pierre Office handles the Northern, Central, and Western Divisions, which include Hughes, Brown, Codington, Pennington, Lawrence, and Meade.
While intake and clerk administration occur through Sioux Falls and Pierre, judicial hearings may be scheduled in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, or Aberdeen. The district is served by a single United States Bankruptcy Judge based in Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls Clerk’s Office
The main Southern Division office handles case processing, intake, and local administrative support, and is located at the United States Courthouse, 400 South Phillips Avenue, Room 104, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104-6851.
- General Phone: (605) 357-2400
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time (excluding federal holidays).
Pierre Clerk’s Office
The Pierre office processes cases assigned across the Northern, Central, and Western parts of South Dakota. It is located at the U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse, 225 South Pierre Street, Room 203, Pierre, South Dakota 57501-2463.
- General Phone: (605) 945-4460
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time (excluding federal holidays).
Bankruptcy Chief Judge Laura L. Kulm Ask, District of South Dakota
The District of South Dakota is served by a single United States Bankruptcy Judge who presides over bankruptcy matters across all four statutory divisions:
Honorable Laura L. Kulm Ask, Chief Judge
- Chambers Location: United States Courthouse, 400 South Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104-6851.
- Chambers Phone: (605) 357-2430.
- Courtroom Deputy / Scheduling: Shan Stroup – (605) 357-2400.
- Law Clerk: Ryan Kroger, Term Law Clerk.
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
After filing a bankruptcy case, debtors can monitor case activity through PACER, the federal judiciary’s online case access system. Through PACER, users can review the case docket, access filed documents, monitor court orders, and track pleadings submitted by trustees, creditors, and other parties in interest.
Although PACER charges fees for access to certain documents and reports, quarterly fees are waived for users whose total charges do not exceed the applicable fee exemption threshold of $30.00.
Individuals who prefer not to use PACER may obtain basic case information by telephone through the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) at 866-222-8029. This automated service provides access to bankruptcy case information, including filing dates, case status, and scheduled hearing information.
Conclusion
Navigating a bankruptcy case in the District of South Dakota is easier when debtors, creditors, and practitioners understand how the court’s offices, filing procedures, and case management systems operate. Because South Dakota is served by a single federal bankruptcy district, the Clerk’s Offices in Sioux Falls and Pierre can handle most administrative matters.
Whether you need to review a case docket, submit documents, obtain procedural information, or contact the Clerk’s Office, the court resources and contact information provided above can help ensure your case proceeds efficiently.
However, court personnel cannot provide legal advice or guidance regarding your rights, obligations, or bankruptcy strategy. Individuals seeking advice concerning Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or other bankruptcy matters should consult with a qualified South Dakota bankruptcy attorney.
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 and Federal Statutory References
- 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.