Bankruptcy in Memphis
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 a federal matter, so if you live in Memphis your case is not handled in a Shelby County court at all. You file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, which sits right here in Memphis and serves Shelby County along with several neighboring counties.
The court determines where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the Tennessee bankruptcy hub and how bankruptcy works, then compare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, or review Tennessee bankruptcy exemptions.
Filing rules and deadlines are strict, so it helps to plan ahead. To get matched with a local Memphis bankruptcy attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Federal bankruptcy court
Court: Bankruptcy is federal, so Memphis cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, which sits in Memphis.
Bankruptcy is handled by the federal courts, not the county courts. For Memphis and the rest of Shelby County, cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, which sits in Memphis and also serves surrounding counties. Verify the court's current location, hours, and filing procedures on its official website (tnwb.uscourts.gov) before you file.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Where do I file for bankruptcy in Memphis?
- Bankruptcy is federal, so you file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, which sits in Memphis. It is not a Shelby County court.
- Does Shelby County have its own bankruptcy court?
- No. Bankruptcy is exclusively federal. Shelby County cases go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court's Western Division in Memphis, which also covers nearby counties.