Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Resources
Pennsylvania’s bankruptcy system is divided into three federal districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western, each with its own courts, divisions, trustees, filing procedures, and local rules. Although all three districts apply the same federal Bankruptcy Code, a case’s practical requirements can vary depending on where you file and which district administers it.
This statewide resource page provides a comprehensive overview of Pennsylvania’s bankruptcy courts, trustee structure, exemptions, and Means Test guidelines.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court Structure
Pennsylvania’s bankruptcy system is divided into three federal districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western. Each district maintains its own courthouses, clerk’s offices, and assigned trustee. Your filing location and assigned trustee are determined by the county where you reside.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The Eastern District serves the southeastern portion of the state, including the Philadelphia metropolitan area and surrounding counties. Courthouses are located in Philadelphia and Reading, and cases are assigned based on county of residence.
Primary Courthouse Locations
Philadelphia Division: Robert Nix Federal Building, 900 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Philadelphia Division serves the following counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.
Reading Division: The Reading Division is located at the Madison Building, 400 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601, and serves the following counties: Berks, Lancaster, Lehigh, and Northampton.
Middle District of Pennsylvania
The Middle District covers central Pennsylvania, with courthouses in Harrisburg and Wilkes‑Barre. The Harrisburg Courthouse is located at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building, 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. The following counties are served by the Harrisburg Division: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York.
The Wilkes‑Barre Courthouse is located at the Max Rosenn U.S. Courthouse, 197 South Main Street, Wilkes‑Barre, PA 18701.
The following counties fall under the jurisdiction of the Wilkes-Barre Division: Bradford, Carbon, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming.
Western District of Pennsylvania
The Western District administers bankruptcy cases across western Pennsylvania through courthouses in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown.
The Pittsburgh Courthouse is located at U.S. Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. If you reside in the following counties, your case is filed with the Pittsburgh Office: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.
The Erie Courthouse is located at the U.S. Courthouse, 17 South Park Row, Erie, PA 16501. The following counties fall under the jurisdiction of the Erie Division: Crawford, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.
The Johnstown Courthouse is located at the Penn Traffic Building, 319 Washington Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. The following counties are part of the Johnstown Division: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana, and Somerset.
Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing Statistics (2023–2025)
The following statistics summarize the number of Chapter 7 and 13s filed in the state of Pennsylvania from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 7,581 | 6,161 | 13,742 |
| 2024 | 6,711 | 5,701 | 12,412 |
| 2023 | 5,725 | 5,187 | 10,912 |
Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Trustees
Chapter 7 and 13 trustees in Pennsylvania review financial records, conduct the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, evaluate non‑exempt assets for potential liquidation, and oversee the repayment plan, including disbursing payments to creditors in Chapter 13 cases.
The contact information for trustees for both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is available below:
Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Exemptions
Pennsylvania allows bankruptcy filers to choose between state exemptions and the federal exemption system, giving debtors flexibility in how they protect their home, vehicle equity, personal property, retirement accounts, insurance benefits, and other assets.
Because the two systems differ significantly in scope and dollar amounts, selecting the right exemption set is a key strategic decision in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
For a full breakdown of each exemption category, statutory citations, and practical examples, visit the Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Exemptions guide.
Pennsylvania Means Test
The Means Test determines whether a debtor qualifies for Chapter 7 or must proceed under Chapter 13. Pennsylvania’s median income figures, updated twice each year, form the starting point for this calculation.
Beyond Chapter 7 eligibility, the Means Test also shapes Chapter 13 outcomes by influencing plan length and establishing the debtor’s projected disposable income.
For current median income data, visit the Pennsylvania Means Test resource page.
Conclusion
Filing for bankruptcy in Pennsylvania requires understanding how each district and its divisions operate, how trustees administer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, and how to value assets to determine the extent of exemption protection. You must also compare your household income to Pennsylvania’s current Means Test figures to assess eligibility and plan requirements.
Use this statewide resource page as your central reference for court locations, trustee directories, exemption rules, and Means Test guidance for bankruptcy cases filed in Pennsylvania.
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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