Filing Bankruptcy in Ohio: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Ohio has 2 federal bankruptcy court districts, each with its own U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio (https://www.ohnb.uscourts.gov/); Southern District of Ohio (https://www.ohsb.uscourts.gov/).

Median family income for Ohio: 1 person $66,239; 2 people $83,725; 3 people $102,504; 4 people $123,702; add $11,100 for each additional person beyond 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026.

Ohio has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions. People domiciled in Ohio cannot use the federal exemption list in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) and must use Ohio's exemptions instead.

$182,625 in one parcel or item of real or personal property that the filer or a dependent uses as a residence, for April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. Ohio's homestead exemption has no acreage limit; it is limited by dollar value only.

$5,025 of the filer's interest in one motor vehicle, for April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028.

$1,675 in any property, for April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. This exemption applies only in bankruptcy cases.

Ohio law exempts public-employee pensions and retirement benefits (such as state, police and fire, teacher and school-employee systems) and accounts in public deferred-compensation programs. It also exempts payments from other pensions, annuities and similar plans paid because of illness, disability, death, age or length of service, to the extent reasonably necessary to support the filer and dependents. IRAs, Roth IRAs, education IRAs and 529/529A accounts are exempt to the extent they come from contributions within the tax-law limits (and qualifying rollovers), and Keogh (H.R. 10) plans are exempt to the extent reasonably necessary for support. Inherited IRAs and Roth IRAs are also exempt. Money put in to avoid paying debts is not protected, and support orders and certain criminal orders are exceptions.

Earned but unpaid wages are protected in the amount of the greater of (a) 75% of disposable earnings owed, or (b) 30 times the current federal minimum hourly wage if paid weekly (60 times if paid every two weeks, 65 times if paid twice a month, 130 times if paid monthly). Support orders are an exception.

Ohio has two bankruptcy courts. Southern District of Ohio (Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton): its Filing Without an Attorney section has Before You File, How To File, After You File and Emergency Filings pages. Filers without a lawyer can prepare a Chapter 7 or 13 petition online with the court's free eSR tool, but the case is not opened until the court receives a signed Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Form G-20) and other papers, which should be delivered within 10 days. The court requires a Statement of Related Cases (LBR Form 1015-2), a list of creditors with a Verification (LBR Form 1007-2), a Chapter 13 plan if filing Chapter 13, and a copy of current photo ID (Local Bankruptcy Rule 1002-1(b)). Northern District of Ohio: its Filing Without an Attorney page says individuals may file on their own but strongly encourages getting a lawyer, warns that court staff cannot give legal advice, and links to bankruptcy basics videos, clerk's office forms, form instructions, petition-preparer information, Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing, financial-management course agencies, and legal assistance (including the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland Pro Bono Program).

Northern District of Ohio (set by division): Cleveland - Third Amended Administrative Order 25-01 (filed February 13, 2025), for cases filed in the Cleveland court on and after March 1, 2025, allows debtor's counsel to accept, in lieu of an itemized fee application, a presumptively reasonable fee up to and including $4,500.00 if a plan is confirmed, the Rights and Responsibilities agreement was executed before filing, and no party objects; if the agreement was not executed before filing, the presumptive fee is up to and including $2,500.00 on motion. If the case is dismissed before confirmation, the trustee pays counsel $450.00 to the extent funds are available. Toledo (Western Division) - Toledo Administrative Order 24-01 (Judges Whipple and Gustafson; dated April 24, 2024) allows a presumptively reasonable fee up to and including $3,500 if a plan is confirmed and the Rights and Responsibilities agreement was executed before filing (up to and including $2,500 if not), on motion or application with a proposed order. Southern District of Ohio: General Order No. 50-1 amended Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1(b)(2)(A), effective for cases filed on or after February 24, 2021, to provide that upon confirmation of the plan, fees may be allowed up to $4,350 ("no-look fee") without further application or specific itemization, covering the listed general legal services in a chapter 13 case whether performed preconfirmation or postconfirmation.