U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
13 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
Craig T. Goldblatt
Bankruptcy judge
Karen B. Owens
Bankruptcy judge
Mary F. WalrathLeft this court 2026
Bankruptcy judge
J. Kate Stickles
Bankruptcy judge
Laurie Selber Silverstein
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Thomas M. Horan
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Helen Shaffer BalickDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Brendan L. Shannon
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Kevin GrossRetired 2020
Bankruptcy judge
Kevin J. CareyDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Peter J. WalshDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Christopher S. SontchiRetired 2022
Bankruptcy judge
John T. DorseyDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Courts revise these, so confirm the current version before you file. The court's local rules ↗
- General Order Governing Debtor’s Counsel and Creditor Fees in Chapter 13 Cases ↗
- Standing Order: Procedures for Highly Sensitive Documents ↗
- Order Regarding Service Under Local Rules 5005-4 and 9036-1 ↗
- Order Requiring Photo Identification for Unrepresented Petition Filers ↗
Filing
Deliver the courtesy copy required by Local Rule 9036-1(b) electronically, rather than as a paper copy by mail or delivery.
“the Court directs that filing parties cause the courtesy copy provided under Rule 9036-1(b) to be delivered via email or other electronic means, and not to deliver a courtesy hard copy via first class or other mail or other delivery.”
Filing
An unrepresented individual filing a bankruptcy petition must provide photo identification at filing; both debtors must provide it on a joint petition.
“Any individual debtor who is not represented by an attorney (a ‘Pro Se Debtor’) seeking to file a bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware must provide photo identification at the time of filing. If the petition is a joint petition, photo identification for both debtors must be provided.”
Sealing
A represented party requesting highly sensitive document treatment must file the motion and proposed order electronically, but keep the proposed sensitive document out of electronic filing.
“A represented party shall file a motion to treat a document as an HSD and a proposed order electronically under existing procedures, except that a copy of the proposed HSD shall not be filed electronically.”
Other
In an individual nonbusiness Chapter 13 case, the court allows a $5,000 standard counsel fee plus specified costs without a separate compensation application.
“In an individual, non-business case, the Court deems $5,000 (the ‘Standard Fee’) as reasonable compensation and reimbursement of expenses for an attorney representing the Debtor”