Missouri splits into two federal districts -- St. Louis falls in the Eastern District. Same state exemptions as Kansas City, but different local rules, trustees, and dismissal rates. Here is everything E.D. Mo. filers need to know.
Federal law requires two educational courses for every individual bankruptcy filing. Missouri adds no state-level requirements beyond the federal mandate under 11 U.S.C. sections 109(h) and 111.
Complete within 180 days before filing. A DOJ-approved counselor reviews your income, expenses, and debts, and discusses alternatives. Takes 60--90 minutes online, by phone, or in person.
File the certificate as Official Form 301 with your petition at the Eagleton Courthouse. The E.D. Mo. requires this with or immediately after filing.
Complete after filing but before discharge. Covers budgeting, money management, and credit rebuilding. About 2 hours. The provider must be DOJ-approved for the Eastern District of Missouri.
File the certificate as Official Form 423. In Chapter 7, due within 60 days of the 341 meeting. In Chapter 13, before final plan payment.
Missouri has two federal judicial districts. St. Louis and Kansas City filers use the same state exemptions but face different courts, trustees, and outcomes.
58,254 total cases (2008--2024)
111 S. 10th Street, St. Louis
42,119 total cases (2008--2024)
400 E. 9th Street, Kansas City
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
111 S. 10th Street, 4th Floor
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: (314) 244-4500
Serves St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, Warren, Crawford, Washington, Iron, and surrounding counties. This is where the vast majority of E.D. Mo. cases are filed.
341 meetings are held at the Office of the U.S. Trustee, 111 S. 10th Street, Suite 6.353, St. Louis, MO 63102.
555 Independence Street, Suite 111
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Phone: (573) 335-2496
Serves southeast Missouri counties including Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, and Madison.
801 Broadway
Hannibal, MO 63401
Serves northeast Missouri counties including Marion, Ralls, Pike, Monroe, and Shelby.
Missouri is one of the states that allows debtors to choose between state and federal exemptions under RSMo section 513.427. You cannot mix-and-match -- choose one system entirely. This choice applies to both E.D. Mo. and W.D. Mo. filers.
| Homestead | $15,000 |
| Motor vehicle | $3,000 |
| Household goods | $3,000 |
| Jewelry | $1,500 |
| Wildcard | $600 + $350/child |
| Clothing | $750 |
| Tools of trade | $3,000 |
| Retirement (ERISA) | Unlimited |
| Wages (30 days) | 75% head of household; otherwise per federal limits |
RSMo 513.427 through 513.440
| Homestead | $27,900 |
| Motor vehicle | $4,450 |
| Household goods | $14,875 total ($700/item) |
| Jewelry | $1,875 |
| Wildcard | $1,475 + $13,950 unused homestead |
| Tools of trade | $2,800 |
| Retirement (ERISA) | Unlimited |
| Health aids | Unlimited |
11 U.S.C. 522(d) -- amounts adjusted April 2025
The Eastern District has a model Chapter 13 plan format that attorneys are expected to follow. Plans must clearly specify treatment of each creditor class, attorney fee arrangements, and the basis for the plan term (36 or 60 months). Non-conforming plans face objection from the standing trustee.
Missouri attorneys are regulated by the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC) under the Missouri Supreme Court. Complaints can be filed at (573) 635-7400 or mobar.org/discipline. Attorneys admitted in both Missouri and Kansas face oversight from both the Missouri OCDC and the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator. The W.D. Mo. applies Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 4-x.x series).
St. Louis metro residents in Illinois (East St. Louis, Belleville, Edwardsville) file in the Southern District of Illinois, not the E.D. Mo. Illinois exemptions and local rules apply. This is a common mistake for metro-area residents who work in St. Louis but live across the river.
Chapter 7 eligibility depends on the means test. Missouri median income figures are set by the U.S. Trustee and updated regularly. The same median income applies in both E.D. Mo. and W.D. Mo. since it is a statewide figure adjusted for household size.
(314) 534-4200
The primary legal aid organization for the St. Louis metro. Handles consumer bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and debt collection for qualifying low-income residents. Intake Monday--Friday 9 AM -- 3 PM. Main office: 4220 Duncan Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.
(314) 534-4200 ext. 1160
Coordinated through LSEM and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Matches qualifying residents with pro bono attorneys for Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings.
WashU Law, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130. While primarily focused on environmental justice, the law school's clinical programs occasionally handle consumer cases. Contact the clinical division for current availability.
(314) 977-2778
SLU Law, 100 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101. Law students under faculty supervision assist qualifying low-income individuals with civil legal matters including debt and consumer issues.
(314) 361-8834
Nonprofit law firm providing holistic legal advocacy to the St. Louis metro area. Handles consumer legal issues, municipal court defense, and can provide referrals for bankruptcy representation. 440 N. 4th Street, Suite 390, St. Louis, MO 63102.
The U.S. Trustee maintains the approved list for the Eastern District of Missouri. Many offer fee waivers for low-income debtors. Online and telephone options available throughout the St. Louis metro.
Two courses: (1) pre-filing credit counseling within 180 days before filing, and (2) post-filing financial management before discharge. Both from DOJ-approved agencies for the E.D. Mo. Courses cost $10--$50 each. Missouri has no additional state requirements.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse, 111 S. 10th Street, 4th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63102. Phone: (314) 244-4500. The E.D. Mo. also has divisions in Cape Girardeau and Hannibal.
It depends on your assets. Missouri's homestead ($15,000) is very low; the federal homestead ($27,900) is nearly double. For renters with no home equity, the federal wildcard ($15,425 total) provides much more protection than Missouri's ($600). Run both sets against your property before filing. You cannot mix-and-match.
Same state, same exemptions, different courts. The E.D. Mo. (St. Louis) has a 61.9% Chapter 13 dismissal rate vs. 56.5% for W.D. Mo. (Kansas City). They have different standing trustees, local rules, plan formats, and 341 meeting locations. Your county determines your district.
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) at (314) 534-4200 is the largest provider. The St. Louis Volunteer Lawyer Program matches qualifying residents with pro bono attorneys. SLU Law Clinic at (314) 977-2778 and ArchCity Defenders at (314) 361-8834 also assist with consumer legal issues.
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