Bankruptcy in Los Angeles County
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
Bankruptcy is governed by federal law, so a Los Angeles County case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California — not the county Superior Court. Residents of Los Angeles County file in the Los Angeles Division (255 E. Temple Street). The Central District is the busiest bankruptcy court in the country. Always verify the current filing location, hours, and local rules on the court’s official website.
The local court decides where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the California bankruptcy hub, then read Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and California exemptions to understand what you keep.
To get matched with a local Los Angeles County bankruptcy attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Federal bankruptcy court
Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California — Los Angeles Division, 255 E. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Bankruptcy is a federal matter, so Los Angeles County cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, not the county Superior Court. Los Angeles County residents file in the Los Angeles Division. The Central District is the busiest bankruptcy court in the country — confirm the current filing location, hours, and local rules on the court's official website (cacb.uscourts.gov).
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Which court handles bankruptcy for Los Angeles County?
- The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Los Angeles County residents file in the Los Angeles Division (255 E. Temple Street). Bankruptcy is federal, so it is not handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court — verify the current location on cacb.uscourts.gov.
- Do I file bankruptcy in state or federal court in Los Angeles County?
- Federal. Bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, not state court. You file in the district where you live — for Los Angeles County that's the Central District of California's Los Angeles Division.