California Bankruptcy Courts
The California Bankruptcy System is divided into 4 federal districts. Each of these districts are
subdivided into divisions which serve specific counties. For division specific information, see:
According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the 2003 national rate
of filing personal bankruptcy was one in every 79.1 households (1.27%).
At this rate, over the next 30 years, 38% of all U.S. households will be liquidated by
the federal court system. In California, the rate is one in every 85.6 households
which ranks 24 in the country.
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Total California Bankruptcy Filings in 2003 |
| District |
Total |
Ch 7 |
Ch 11 |
Ch 12 |
Ch 13 |
| Northern |
22,450 |
15,918 |
234 |
1 |
6,297 |
| Eastern |
31,951 |
26,967 |
91 |
45 |
4,846 |
| Central |
81,635 |
69,303 |
427 |
5 |
11,887 |
| Southern |
12,610 |
10,245 |
118 |
1 |
2,246 |
| Total |
148,646 |
122,433 |
870 |
52 |
25,276 |
|
Businesses Filing California Bankruptcy in 2003 |
| District |
Total |
Ch 7 |
Ch 11 |
Ch 12 |
Ch 13 |
| Northern |
1,180 |
661 |
204 |
1 |
314 |
| Eastern |
1,151 |
722 |
84 |
45 |
298 |
| Central |
2,220 |
1,652 |
392 |
5 |
198 |
| Southern |
315 |
179 |
112 |
1 |
23 |
| Total |
4,865 |
3,214 |
792 |
52 |
833 |
New bankruptcy laws are now pending before the U.S. Congress. Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to endorse
the proposed amendments. Because of the rapid increase in national filings, these new laws specifically target
consumer cases which account for approximately 99% of all cases filed. Filing qualifications will become more
difficult.
California Bankruptcy Practices - Local Rules
Each Division maintains California bankruptcy local rules of court.
Many local rules are standardized across the county and provide further
clarification and instructions for administrative responsibilities of
attorneys. For instance, instructions on filing additional declarations
and required data are not included within the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, but
are however routinely published by the Clerk of the Court along with California bankruptcy records. Local rules
also may include unique location specific instructions applicable only
to a particular district or division. All debtors filing pro se must also follow
local rules regardless of actual notice. A violation of local rules
may result in dismissal. Copies of local rules are available from the Clerk of the Court for
each California Bankruptcy Division. Courts may also offer a glossary of California bankruptcy terms that provide
definitions of common words and phrases.
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