Function

• The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Iowa is divided into two separate judicial districts, the northern and southern districts. Individuals and businesses select which court to bring a case in depending on the residence of the consumer or the location of the business. Contact information for each court is:
  
  United States Bankruptcy Court
  Northern District of Iowa
  425 2nd St., SE
  Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
  319-286-2200
  ianb.uscourts.gov
  
  United States Bankruptcy Court
  Southern District of Iowa
  110 E. Court Ave.
  Suite 300
  Des Moines, IA 50309
  iasb.uscourts.gov
  
  

Filing Fee

• Iowa bankruptcy law establishes fee schedules for different types of bankruptcy cases. The filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Iowa is $245, while the fee for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy is $1,000. The charge to file a Chapter 12 bankruptcy is $200 and the fee for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Iowa is $235. Filing fees are subject to change.
  
  

Types

• Four types of bankruptcy cases commonly are filed in the state of Iowa. These include two consumer bankruptcies, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcy permits a consumer to obtain a discharge of debt, while a consumer develops a repayment plan through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.
  
  Chapter 7 bankruptcy also is available to a business debtor. Additionally, a business in Iowa can file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Chapter 11 permits a business to continue operations and restructure its debts.
  
  The fourth type of bankruptcy utilized in Iowa, which is an agricultural state, is a Chapter 12 bankruptcy, which is designed to adjust the debts of a family farm operation.
  
  

Considerations

• Iowa bankruptcy law and procedure emphasizes that pursuing this type of remedy should be a course of last resort for a consumer or business debtor. Indeed, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and local rules in Iowa require a consumer debtor to participate in debt counseling and education before filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.
  
  

Expert Assistance

• Iowa bankruptcy law is complex. Therefore, no matter what type of bankruptcy you elect or need to pursue, retaining the services of an experienced attorney is a wise decision. The Iowa State Bar Association maintains a directory of attorneys in different practice areas, including experts in bankruptcy law. Contact the Iowa State Bar Association at:
  
  Iowa State Bar Association
  625 E. Court Ave.
  Des Moines, IA 50309
  515-243-3179
  iabar.net