Puerto Rico’s Bankruptcy Resources

Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy system operates as a single federal district, with two official court locations in Old San Juan and Ponce. Although the District of Puerto Rico applies the same federal Bankruptcy Code used nationwide, practical filing requirements, trustee procedures, exemptions, and local rules are shaped by the court’s bilingual operations.

This statewide resource page provides a comprehensive overview of Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy court, trustees, exemptions, and Means Test guidelines.

By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).

Puerto Rico’s Bankruptcy Court Structure

Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy system operates as a single federal district: the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Unlike states that are divided into multiple bankruptcy districts, Puerto Rico’s cases are administered under one jurisdiction, with proceedings held in San Juan and Ponce.

All Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases follow the federal Bankruptcy Code, but local rules, bilingual filing requirements, and trustee procedures are specific to the District of Puerto Rico.

Your filing location and assigned trustee are determined by the municipality where you reside.

Primary Courthouse Locations

• San Juan Courthouse: José V. Toledo Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 300 Recinto Sur Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901. This is the primary location for most bankruptcy filings and hearings on the island.
• Ponce Courthouse: U.S. District Courthouse – Ponce, 100 Calle Cristina, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00730. This location serves residents in Puerto Rico’s southern municipalities.

Contact information for judges, staff, and the clerk’s office is available here.

The following statistics summarize the number of Chapter 7 and 13s filed in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 2023 through 2025.

Year	Chapter 7 Filings	Chapter 13 Filings	Total Filings
2025	2,085	3,866	5,951
2024	1,873	3,861	5,734
2023	1,412	3,063	4,475

Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Trustees

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees in Puerto Rico are appointed by the United States Trustee Program to administer cases filed in the District of Puerto Rico. Their responsibilities include reviewing debtor financial records, conducting the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, evaluating non‑exempt assets for potential liquidation in Chapter 7 cases, and overseeing repayment plans and disbursements to creditors in Chapter 13 cases.

Because Puerto Rico operates as one unified federal district, trustee assignments are not divided by region. Instead, Chapter 7 panel trustees and the standing Chapter 13 trustee administer cases for all municipalities across the island.

The contact information for trustees in Puerto Rico is available via this resource.

Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Exemptions

Because Puerto Rico has not “opted out” of the federal exemption scheme, eligible bankruptcy filers can choose between Puerto Rico’s local statutory exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions under 11 U.S.C. §522.

Filers who elect the federal system rely on §522(d) to protect equity in their home, motor vehicle, personal property, tools of the trade, retirement accounts, and other assets.

Because federal exemptions include generous wildcard, homestead, and personal property protections, selecting the appropriate exemption strategy is key to determining if you should file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

For a full breakdown of each exemption category, statutory citations, and practical examples, visit the Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Exemptions guide.

Puerto Rico Means Test

The Means Test determines whether a debtor qualifies for Chapter 7 or must proceed under Chapter 13. Puerto Rico uses the federal median income figures, updated twice each year, as the starting point for this calculation. These income limits, based on household size, establish whether a debtor must complete the full Means Test form or may qualify for Chapter 7 based solely on income.

Beyond Chapter 7 eligibility, the Means Test also determines the plan length for Chapter 13 cases and projected disposable income, which determines the plan payment amounts.

For current median income data, visit the Puerto Rico Means Test resource page.

Conclusion

Filing for bankruptcy in Puerto Rico requires understanding how the District of Puerto Rico operates, how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees handle cases, and value assets to determine the extent of protection available under the federal exemption system. You must also compare your household income to Puerto Rico’s current Means Test figures to assess Chapter 7 eligibility and Chapter 13 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 Puerto Rico.

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 Code Statutory References

• 11 U.S. Code §341 – Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
• 11 U.S. Code § 522 – Exemptions.