Filing Bankruptcy in Indiana: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Indiana has two federal bankruptcy districts: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana (https://www.innb.uscourts.gov) and the Southern District of Indiana (https://www.insb.uscourts.gov).

1 person: $64,461; 2 people: $81,986; 3 people: $95,627; 4 people: $115,656; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).

$22,750 for real estate or personal property that is the debtor's (or a dependent's) personal or family residence. Property held as tenants by the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse.

Indiana's exemption amounts include $12,100 for "Other real estate or tangible property" and $450 for "Intangible personal property" (the Small Claims Manual describes these as tangible personal property up to $12,100 and intangible personal property up to $450).

Certain retirement benefits are exempt; the Indiana courts' exemption notice cites IC 34-55-10-2(c)(6), Indiana public pension statutes (IC 36-8, 5-10.3-8-9, 5-10.4-5-14) and federal law.

Garnishment is limited to the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 per week at $7.25).

N.D. Ind. has a "Filing Without an Attorney" page, a "How to Put a Bankruptcy Together" guide, FAQs, and eSR petition software. S.D. Ind. has a Filing Without an Attorney section with filing procedures for parties without a lawyer, a Pro Se Packet, a Pro Se Document Portal, eSR, and a list of free or low-cost legal help.

Northern District of Indiana: Local Rule B-2016-1 provides that $4,500.00 is presumed to be a reasonable attorney's fee for counsel's services representing a debtor in a routine, consumer chapter 13 case (rebuttable on objection); a fee not exceeding that amount may be awarded, after notice to all creditors, on application or through the additional provisions (part 8.1) of a confirmed plan without supporting documentation such as time records. The rule's historical notes state it was revised by Order Amending Local Bankruptcy Rules dated July 27, 2026 to increase the amount to $4,500.00. Fees above the presumptive amount for extraordinary, unusual or unanticipated services require an application with supporting documentation. Southern District of Indiana: General Order 25-0001 (November 14, 2025), under Local Rule B-2016-1(c), sets the maximum fee allowable under the "Presumed Reasonable Fee" process at $5,000 for all cases filed on or after December 1, 2025, plus an additional $500 per adversary proceeding to avoid an unsecured mortgage under Local Rule B-4003-3 if disclosed in the Rule 2016(b) statement and included in counsel's proof of claim; the amount is subject to review by the court on or before December 1, 2028.