Filing Bankruptcy in Louisiana: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Louisiana has three federal bankruptcy districts: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District (https://www.laeb.uscourts.gov), Middle District (https://www.lamb.uscourts.gov), and Western District (https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov) of Louisiana.

1 person: $59,447; 2 people: $72,348; 3 people: $84,602; 4 people: $103,628; 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).

Louisiana filers must use Louisiana exemptions: in bankruptcy, only property exempt "under the laws of the state of Louisiana and under federal laws other than 11 U.S.C. 522(d)" is exempt.

Up to $35,000 in value of a residence occupied by the owner, with the land and contiguous tracts up to 5 acres inside a municipality or up to 200 acres outside one. For obligations arising directly from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (as defined), the full value is protected. Does not apply to purchase-price debts, improvement liens, taxes and certain other debts.

$15,000 in equity in one motor vehicle for any purpose; a second vehicle up to $15,000 if the debtor is married or has a licensed-driver child in the household (unless the disability-vehicle exemption is used); and $20,000 in equity in one vehicle per household that is substantially modified for a family member's disability. No more than two exempt vehicles. Value is based on the JD Power Official Used Car Guide retail value.

None. Louisiana's exemption list (La. R.S. 13:3881(A)) covers specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found.

All pensions, tax-deferred arrangements (including IRAs), annuity contracts and payments from them, and health savings accounts up to the IRS family-coverage deduction limit are exempt from all debts except alimony and child support. Contributions made less than one calendar year before filing for bankruptcy are not exempt.

75% of weekly disposable earnings are exempt, but never less than 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage (different rules apply to child support).

E.D. La. offers eSR, a "Filing Without an Attorney" page with free or low-cost legal advice, a Bankruptcy Self-Help Resource Center, and an exemption information page. M.D. La. has a "Filing Without an Attorney (Pro Se)" section with FAQs, eSR, legal services and local forms. W.D. La. has a "Don't Have an Attorney" menu with Chapter 7 and 13 information, forms and legal assistance.

Eastern District of Louisiana: Amended General Order 2020-8 (dated April 29, 2021) sets the presumptive base fee for debtor's attorneys in chapter 13 cases filed on or after June 1, 2020 at $4,000.00 in confirmed "direct-payment" plans and $4,500.00 in confirmed "conduit" plans; if the total amount paid into the confirmed plan will be less than $6,000.00, the base fee is capped at $2,500.00. The base fee must be elected in the first plan (irrevocably) and is paid by the chapter 13 trustee upon confirmation without a fee application. It covers the usual and ordinary services in the case; listed "Non-Base Services" carry separate presumptive fees (e.g., $400 for a motion to refinance or modify a mortgage or an objection to a stay-relief motion; $250 for a section 1329 plan modification). Middle District of Louisiana: Standing Order 2023-3 (August 30, 2023) provides that, effective for chapter 13 cases filed on or after September 1, 2023, unless the court orders otherwise, $4,800 is a reasonable "no look" fee for debtor's counsel (plus reimbursement of filing fees). It covers all matters in the main case for one year from the petition and after plan completion through discharge, including preconfirmation matters, claim objections bearing on confirmation, defense of stay relief motions, and most contested matters; it excludes adversary proceedings and hardship discharge motions. Western District of Louisiana: General Order 2025-2 (amending General Order 2021-2, Chapter 13 Fixed ("No-Look") Fees) provides that the fixed fee payable to the debtor's attorney in chapter 13 cases filed on or after April 1, 2025 is $5,025, except that where the total amount to be paid in to the Trustee under a confirmed plan is $9,050 or less, the fixed fee is capped at $2,825.