Kansas City Bankruptcy Resources

Courts, legal aid organizations, credit counseling agencies, and free educational tools to help you navigate the bankruptcy process.

Bankruptcy Courts

Western District of Missouri -- Bankruptcy Court

  • Address: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse, 400 E. 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
  • Phone: (816) 512-1800
  • Website: mow.uscourts.gov
  • PACER: ecf.mow.uscourts.gov
  • Serves: Missouri-side Kansas City residents

District of Kansas -- Bankruptcy Court

  • Address: Robert J. Dole U.S. Courthouse, 500 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101
  • Phone: (913) 735-2100
  • Website: ksb.uscourts.gov
  • PACER: ecf.ksb.uscourts.gov
  • Serves: Kansas-side Kansas City residents

Legal Aid Organizations

Legal Aid of Western Missouri

Provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in the Kansas City metro area, including bankruptcy representation.

  • Phone: (816) 474-6750
  • Website: lawmo.org
  • Intake: Call for eligibility screening

Kansas Legal Services

Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Kansas residents, including bankruptcy matters.

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association -- Lawyer Referral Service

Can connect you with attorneys who handle bankruptcy cases, including some who offer reduced fees or payment plans.

Credit Counseling and Debtor Education

Two courses are required for bankruptcy: a pre-filing credit counseling course and a post-filing debtor education course. You must use agencies approved by the U.S. Trustee Program for the district where you file.

U.S. Trustee Program

The U.S. Trustee Program oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases and maintains lists of approved credit counseling agencies and debtor education providers.

  • Region 13 (includes W.D. Mo.): (816) 512-1940
  • Region 20 (includes D. Kansas): (316) 269-6637
  • Website: justice.gov/ust

Free Educational Tools

The Open Bankruptcy Project provides free, data-driven educational tools for consumers considering bankruptcy.

Open Bankruptcy Project Network

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Kansas City bankruptcy court?

There are two courthouses. Missouri side: 400 E. 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64106 (816-512-1800). Kansas side: 500 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101 (913-735-2100). Where you file depends on where you live. See the full comparison.

Is there free legal help for bankruptcy in Kansas City?

Yes. Legal Aid of Western Missouri (816-474-6750) and Kansas Legal Services (800-723-6953) provide free bankruptcy representation for qualifying low-income individuals.

Where can I take the required credit counseling course?

The U.S. Trustee Program maintains a list of approved agencies at justice.gov/ust. Most agencies offer courses online or by phone for $15-25. Reduced fees are available for low-income filers.

Open Bankruptcy Project Network