Virginia Bankruptcy Courts

The Virginia Bankruptcy System is divided into 2 federal districts. Each of these districts are subdivided into divisions which serve specific counties. For division specific information, see:

According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the 2003 national rate of filing personal bankruptcy was one in every 79.1 households (1.27%). At this rate, over the next 30 years, 38% of all U.S. households will be liquidated by the federal court system. In Virginia, the rate is one in every 66.2 households which ranks as the 12th highest in the country.

Total Virginia Bankruptcy Filings in 2003

District Total Ch 7 Ch 11 Ch 12 Ch 13
Eastern 31,025 21,292 191 1 9,541
Western 13,041 10,976 30 2 2,132
Total 44,066 32,268 221 3 11,673

Businesses Filing Virginia Bankruptcy in 2003

District Total Ch 7 Ch 11 Ch 12 Ch 13
Eastern 405 219 156 1 29
Western 562 447 28 2 84
Total 967 666 184 3 113

Since early in the 1990's, lobbies representing financial institutions promoted restrictions on individual rights to file. Also, a common feature promoted by various "Abuse Prevention Acts" is the reduction and/or elimination of judicial discretion. Currently, judges may balance the needs of all parties in interest. The administrative branch enthusiastically endorses these changes.

Virginia Bankruptcy Practices - Local Rules

Each Division maintains Virginia bankruptcy local rules of court. Many local rules are standardized across the county and provide further clarification and instructions for administrative responsibilities of attorneys. By way of example, instructions on filing additional declarations and required data are not included within the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, but are however routinely published by the Clerk of the Court along with Virginia bankruptcy records. Local rules also may include unique location specific instructions applicable only to a particular district or division. All debtors filing pro se must also follow local rules regardless of actual notice. A violation of local rules may result in dismissal. Copies of local rules are available from the Clerk of the Court for each Virginia Bankruptcy Division. Courts may also offer a glossary of Virginia bankruptcy terms that provide definitions of common words and phrases.

Virginia Bankruptcy, Virginia Bankruptcy Laws, Virginia Bankruptcy Courts, Virginia Bankruptcy Lawyer. Personal filing information for Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 in Alexandria, Arlington, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, plus county and state bar information, court locations and tips, plus Virginia bankruptcy lawyer directory with attorney fee guidelines and law firm help information. Virginia Bankruptcy Laws, Courts & Lawyers - ©Copyright 1998-2008, All Rights Reserved.