Bankruptcy in Tampa
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 Tampa, your case is federal — it’s handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, and Hillsborough County filings are assigned to the Tampa 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 Tampa bankruptcy attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Federal bankruptcy court
Court: Bankruptcy is federal, so a Tampa filing is handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, which covers Hillsborough County.
Bankruptcy cases are not heard in a Florida state or county court. Hillsborough County falls within the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, and Tampa filings are assigned to the Tampa 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 Tampa?
- Bankruptcy is federal. Hillsborough County sits in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, and a Tampa case is assigned to the Tampa Division — not a county or circuit court.
- Do I have to go to a courthouse to file in Tampa?
- Most of a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case is handled through filings and a trustee meeting rather than in-court hearings. The Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division is the court of record for Hillsborough County filers.