Tennessee is served by 3 federal bankruptcy districts. Between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, 53,854 Chapter 13 cases were filed statewide, with a weighted average dismissal rate of 82.7% -- compared to the national average of 75.6%.
District-by-District Breakdown
| District | Filed | Dismiss % | Prior % | Pro Se % | Est. Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W.D. Tenn. | 27,844 | 91.3% | 52.4% | 1.5% | 265 |
| E.D. Tenn. | 14,486 | 75.9% | 40.0% | 2.0% | 255 |
| M.D. Tenn. | 11,524 | 70.7% | 49.0% | 2.5% | 354 |
20.6 percentage point spread between Tennessee's best and worst districts. M.D. Tenn. dismisses 70.7% of cases while W.D. Tenn. dismisses 91.3% -- same state law, dramatically different outcomes.
Related Resources
- Dismissal Rate Data -- compare all 94 districts
- Discharge Eligibility Screener -- check 1328(f) discharge eligibility
- Exemptions by State -- Tennessee bankruptcy exemptions
- All OBP News & Analysis
Methodology: Data sourced from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database (FJC IDB), covering Chapter 13 cases filed in federal fiscal years 2020-2024. Weighted averages are calculated using filing volume as weights. This analysis was conducted by the Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team.