How do I file an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court?
Michael King
Updated on April 27, 2026
An adversary proceeding is commenced by the filing of a complaint. A complaint is a written formal statement in which the party initiating the proceeding, the plaintiff, presents the facts and demands relief from the defendant, the person or entity the action is brought against.
Correspondingly, how do I file an adversary proceeding?
Open an adversary proceeding in your bankruptcy case. File your complaint to discharge your student loans. Wait for the clerk of the court to generate the summons. Serve the summons on each loan holder/financial institution.
Also Know, how common are adversary proceedings? Very few consumer bankruptcy cases involve adversary proceedings. In 2018, there were 11,670 Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and 3,778 Chapter 13 cases filed through the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
Also question is, can I file an adversary proceeding on my own?
A case can be filed by yourself, the trustee, or a creditor, but your interests will differ. Here's what you can expect. Trustees. A trustee might use an adversary proceeding to force a creditor or third party to turn over property that they're holding for the debtor.
What happens at an adversary hearing?
An adversary proceeding generally runs like a mini-trial. The person who started the proceedings and is asking the court to decide something and will make their case first. Then, the other party will have a chance to respond and make their own arguments.