Bankruptcy in Miami
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.
If you’re filing bankruptcy in Miami, your case is federal — it’s handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, and Miami-Dade County filings are assigned to the Miami Division. This is not a county or circuit court; bankruptcy lives entirely in the federal system.
The local court decides where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the Florida bankruptcy hub, then read about Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or the means test.
Deciding whether and how to file is rarely simple. To get matched with a local Miami bankruptcy attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Federal bankruptcy court
Court: Bankruptcy is federal, so a Miami filing is handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, which covers Miami-Dade County.
Bankruptcy cases are not heard in a Florida state or county court. Miami-Dade County falls within the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, and Miami filings are assigned to the Miami Division. Verify the court's current location, hours, and filing procedures on its official website before you file.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Which court handles my bankruptcy in Miami?
- Bankruptcy is federal. Miami-Dade County sits in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, and a Miami case is assigned to the Miami Division — not a county or circuit court.
- Do I have to go to a courthouse to file in Miami?
- Most of a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case is handled through filings and a trustee meeting rather than in-court hearings. The Southern District of Florida, Miami Division is the court of record for Miami-Dade filers.