Bankr. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 1071-1 — Divisions – Bankruptcy Court: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA (WITH AMENDMENTS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 15, 2025), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida alongside the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and any judge-specific procedures.
(a) Middle District of Florida. The Middle District of Florida is comprised of the counties designated in 28 U.S.C. § 89. (b) Divisions. The Middle District is divided into four Divisions: (1) Jacksonville Division. The Jacksonville Division is comprised of the following counties: Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union. The Court will conduct hearings in Jacksonville. (2) Orlando Division. The Orlando Division is comprised of the following counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia. The Court will conduct hearings in Orlando. (3) Tampa Division. The Tampa Division is comprised of the following counties: Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. The Court will conduct hearings in Tampa. (4) Fort Myers Division. The Fort Myers Division is comprised of the following counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, and Lee. The Court will conduct hearings in Fort Myers or as determined by the presiding judge. (c) Appropriate Division. A petition commencing a bankruptcy case must be filed in the appropriate Division. The appropriate Division is the Division: (1) in which the debtor’s domicile, residence, principal place of business, or principal assets (A) were located for the 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the petition, or (B) for a longer portion of the 180-day period than in another Division; or (2) in which there is a pending case under the Bankruptcy Code concerning such person’s affiliate, general partner, or partnership. (d) Transfer of Case to a Different Division. Upon motion of any party in interest or the Court’s own motion, the Court may order that the case be transferred to a different Division if the Court determines that the transfer is in the interest of justice or for the convenience of the parties.
(a) Middle District of Florida. The Middle District of Florida is comprised of the counties designated in 28 U.S.C. § 89. (b) Divisions. The Middle District is divided into four Divisions: (1) Jacksonville Division. The Jacksonville Division is comprised of the following counties