Where to file bankruptcy in Nebraska

The federal bankruptcy courts in Nebraska, how to pick yours, fees, required courses and the meeting of creditors.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

Nebraska has one bankruptcy court for the whole state. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in Nebraska for most of the 180 days before filing.

Federal bankruptcy courts: 1
Courts: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska

Which court you file in, in Nebraska

Nebraska has one bankruptcy court for the whole state. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in Nebraska for most of the 180 days before filing. Its courthouses are in Omaha and Lincoln: https://www.neb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska

Divisions: One court for the whole state, with courthouses in Omaha and Lincoln.

Clerk's phone: (402) 661-7444 (Omaha); (402) 437-1625 (Lincoln)

Court's self-help page

In nearby states

South Dakota: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota
Kansas: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas
Iowa: Northern District and Southern District

Steps to file in Nebraska

Pick the right court
You file where you lived for most of the last 180 days.
Visit the court's website
Court websites: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska.
Take credit counseling
You need the certificate when you file. U.S. Trustee list of approved credit counseling agencies.
Fill in the forms
The forms are free: official bankruptcy forms.
Talk to legal aid
Ask for free help: Legal Aid of Nebraska (free civil legal help if you qualify) and Nebraska State Bar Association.

Free legal help in Nebraska

Questions about filing in Nebraska

Where do I file bankruptcy in Nebraska?

What is the median income for the means test in Nebraska?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $66,922; 2 people: $90,728; 3 people: $103,405; 4 people: $125,074; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Who helps with bankruptcy for free in Nebraska?

Legal Aid of Nebraska (free civil legal help if you qualify) and Nebraska State Bar Association.

More for Nebraska

Court fees

Chapter 7 filing fee. To file Chapter 7 you pay $338 to the court: a $245 filing fee, a $78 administrative fee and a $15 trustee fee. A married couple filing one joint case pays one set of fees.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(a)(1)(A); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, items 8 and 9 (effective December 1, 2023)

Chapter 13 filing fee. To file Chapter 13 you pay $313 to the court: a $235 filing fee and a $78 administrative fee.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(a)(1)(B); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, item 8 (effective December 1, 2023)

Paying in installments. If you cannot pay the whole fee at once, you can ask to pay it in installments. File Official Form 103A with your petition. The court decides the plan: no more than 4 payments, all paid within 120 days after you file. For a good reason the court can give you more time, but the last payment must be made within 180 days. Until the fee is paid in full, you may not pay your lawyer or petition preparer.

Law: Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006(b) (as amended Dec. 1, 2024)

Fee waiver. In Chapter 7 only, the court may waive the fee. You must have income below 150% of the official poverty line for your family size, and you must be unable to pay the fee even in installments. Ask by filing Official Form 103B with your petition. The judge decides.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(f)(1); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006(c)

The meeting of creditors

About a month after you file, you must attend the 'meeting of creditors' (341 meeting). The trustee asks you questions under oath about your property and debts. Creditors may come and ask questions. No judge attends. Chapter 7: 21 to 40 days after filing. Chapter 13: 21 to 50 days after filing. Bring photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. If you file jointly, both spouses must attend.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 341, 343; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2003(a), 4002(b)(1)

Credit counseling and debtor education

Credit counseling before you file. Before you file, you must take a credit counseling course (a 'briefing') from an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. You must take it within 180 days before you file. It can be in person, by phone or online, alone or in a group. Keep the certificate: you file it with your case. If you skip it, your case can be dismissed.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 109(h), 111

Debtor education after you file. After you file, you must take a second, separate course on personal financial management (debtor education) from an approved provider. In most cases you get no discharge without it. Chapter 7: file the certificate within 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. Chapter 13: by the date of your last plan payment. Some providers send the certificate to the court for you.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 727(a)(11), 1328(g); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b)(7), 1007(c)(4)

Where to file bankruptcy in Nebraska

Short answer

Which court you file in, in Nebraska

In nearby states

Steps to file in Nebraska

Pick the right court

Visit the court's website

Take credit counseling

Fill in the forms

Talk to legal aid

Free legal help in Nebraska

Questions about filing in Nebraska

More for Nebraska