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Bankruptcy is exclusively federal — filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, never in a Florida state courthouse (28 U.S.C. § 1334). Florida's counties are divided among three federal districts (28 U.S.C. § 89): Northern, Middle, and Southern. This guide maps the federal basics and names the district that serves your county.
When a lawyer matters here
Chapter choice, exemption claims, and filing timing carry permanent financial and legal consequences, and federal bankruptcy practice has its own rules and bar. Before filing, talk to a bankruptcy attorney or one of the free legal-aid bankruptcy clinics operating in each Florida district.
Venue lies in the district where you have lived for the greater part of the last 180 days (28 U.S.C. § 1408). Florida has three districts — Northern, Middle, and Southern (28 U.S.C. § 89) — each with its own bankruptcy court, clerk's offices, and local rules published on the court's official website.
An individual debtor must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days before filing (11 U.S.C. § 109(h)). The case starts with the Official Bankruptcy Forms petition and schedules, plus the filing fee set by 28 U.S.C. § 1930 — payable in installments, and waivable in Chapter 7 for qualifying low-income debtors (28 U.S.C. § 1930(f)).
Filing triggers the automatic stay, which halts most collection actions, garnishments, and foreclosure sales while it lasts (11 U.S.C. § 362). A meeting of creditors follows (11 U.S.C. § 341). Chapter 7 liquidates nonexempt assets through a trustee; Chapter 13 runs a 3-to-5-year repayment plan (11 U.S.C. § 1322(d)).
Procedural information only — not legal advice and not a substitute for an attorney. Statewide rules are summarized with citations; local practice varies by division and judge, so verify deadlines with the clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida and with the court's local rules. Santa Rosa County's state courts are covered on the Santa Rosa County page.