Complete Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Idaho

The United States Bankruptcy Court District of Idaho operates courthouses in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d’Alene, handling cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 to serve individuals, families, and businesses across the state.

This page serves as a comprehensive guide to the court’s structure, filing procedures, trustee contact information, and bankruptcy exemptions.

Updated on September 6, 2026.

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

How Many Bankruptcies Are Filed in Idaho?

Idaho’s bankruptcy filing trends reveal a consistent pattern: despite steady population growth, the state continues to produce a disproportionately high number of Chapter 7 cases compared to Chapter 13. This imbalance is not accidental.

Idaho’s homestead exemption of $175,000 under Idaho Code §55‑1003, makes Chapter 7 liquidation far more accessible for homeowners than in many other states. Because Idaho allows debtors to protect substantial equity, and even extends homestead protection to property they intend to occupy under Idaho Code §55‑1001(2), many consumers qualify for Chapter 7 without risking their residence.

This results in Chapter 7 accounting for more than 90% of all consumer filings. Recent filing data confirms the trend.

Idaho saw a notable increase in total bankruptcies moving into 2025, reflecting broader national economic pressures. Chapter 7 filings rose sharply, while Chapter 13 cases declined, further illustrating how Idaho’s exemption laws shape consumer behavior.

Below is the updated filing table, beginning with the most recent year:

Year	Chapter 7 Filings	Chapter 13 Filings	Total Filings
2025	2,279	180	2,475
2024	1,879	237	2,145
2023	1,504	194	1,698

Courthouse Locations & Contact Information

Division / Office	Address	Clerk Contact Details
Boise Office (Headquarters)	550 W. Fort Street, Suite 400, Boise, ID 83724	(208) 334-9341
Coeur d’Alene Office	6450 North Mineral Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815	(208) 665-6850
Pocatello Office	801 E. Sherman Street, Room 119, Pocatello, ID 83201	(208) 478-4123

Bankruptcy Court Divisions in Idaho

The District of Idaho is divided into four bankruptcy divisions. Each division covers specific counties and determines where cases are assigned and heard.

Southern Division (Boise)

Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington.

Northern Division (Coeur d’Alene)

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone.

Central Division (Moscow)

Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce.

Eastern Division (Pocatello / Twin Falls)

Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Power, Teton, and Twin Falls.

Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly across all districts. The current 2026 filing fees are listed below:

Bankruptcy Chapter	Total Filing Fee
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 request 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.

Debtors can also apply for a fee waiver if their household income is below 150% of the federal poverty line and unable to pay the fee in installments.

Acceptable payment methods for self-represented parties are cashier’s check or money order at the Boise, Coeur d’Alene, or Pocatello divisional offices. Personal checks are not accepted.

Idaho Bankruptcy Court Judges’ Contact Information

Official / Contact	Name	Phone Number
Chief Judge Noah G. Hillen	Melanie Battle (Courtroom Deputy)	(208) 334-9396
Judge Benjamin P. Hursh	Melanie Battle (Courtroom Deputy)	(208) 334-9698
Proposed Orders Email	Bankruptcy_Orders@id.uscourts.gov	—
Conference Line	General Court Bridge	1-669-254-5252

Hearings for Chief Judge Hillen can be scheduled by contacting Melanie Battle. For Judge Hursh, contact Deborah Jenson at (208)334-9698. Conference Number: 1-669-254-5252

Review the Idaho Bankruptcy Resource Page for comprehensive details on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 standing trustees, updated 2026 means test calculations, and state exemption guidelines, including Idaho’s unique homestead protections.

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.

Idaho Statutory and Bankruptcy References

Idaho Code §55‑1003. Homestead Exemption Limited.
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.