U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky
5 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
Joan A. Lloyd
Bankruptcy judge
Thomas H. FultonDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Alan C. StoutRetired 2025
Bankruptcy judge
David T. StosbergRetired
Bankruptcy judge
Charles R. Merrill
Bankruptcy judge
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky 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 2024-1: Signatures on Verified Papers and Hearing Procedures ↗
- General Order 2021-1: Highly Sensitive Documents ↗
Filing
Counsel must obtain wet-ink signatures before filing verified papers, including voluntary petitions.
“to obtain ‘wet-ink’ signatures in advance of the filing of said document;”
Conferences
The presiding judge decides the manner of each hearing; prior pandemic orders do not guarantee remote appearances.
“Hearing processes and details, including the dates, times, locations and manner of holding hearings, shall be determined solely by the Judges of this Court and are subject to the Presiding Judge’s discretion.”
Sealing
A represented party seeking to designate a document highly sensitive must file the motion electronically without attaching the proposed document.
“A represented party shall file a motion to file a document under seal and designate said document as an HSD electronically”
Sealing
After authorization, submit a highly sensitive document to the Louisville Clerk’s Office by mail or in person with the order and certificate of service.
“A party filing an HSD pursuant to an Order of the Court shall file the following with the Clerk’s Office in Louisville by mail or by in-person filing only: a copy of the Order allowing the filing of the HSD; the HSD in the format prescribed by the Court; and the certificate of service.”