Decatur Bankruptcy Records Search
Decatur bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama. Decatur residents use the Huntsville office, which is about 25 miles away.
Decatur Quick Facts
Where to File Bankruptcy from Decatur
Decatur is in Morgan County. Morgan County is part of the Northern District of Alabama. The Northern Division office is in Huntsville. This is where Decatur residents file bankruptcy papers.
Huntsville is about 25 miles from Decatur. The drive takes around 30 minutes. Some hearings may be held in Decatur at the Seybourn H. Lynne United States Courthouse. Check with the clerk about where your hearings will be.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama - Northern Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Clinton Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 584-7900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | alnb.uscourts.gov |
The Decatur area also has a federal courthouse on Well Street N.E. Some court business may happen there. But the main filing office is Huntsville. Call ahead to confirm where you need to go.
How to Search Decatur Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy records are public by federal law. You can search online with PACER. You can also visit the Huntsville courthouse.
PACER is the main online system. Register free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Searches cost $0.10 per page. Documents cap at $3.00. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived.
What you need for a search:
- Debtor name
- Case number (if known)
- Last four of Social Security number
- Filing date range
McVCIS is free by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The system gives basic case info 24 hours a day.
At the Huntsville courthouse, public terminals let you view records free. Printing costs $0.10 per page. Staff can help with searches.
Decatur Economy and Bankruptcy
Decatur has a diverse economy. Manufacturing is big here. Chemical plants employ many workers. Healthcare and retail also provide jobs. The city sits along the Tennessee River.
Industrial jobs pay well but face ups and downs. Plant closures affect workers. Economic shifts cause job losses. When that happens, some families need bankruptcy protection.
Medical debt is another common issue. Even with good jobs, unexpected health costs add up. Bankruptcy can help clear these bills and give families a fresh start.
Types of Bankruptcy for Decatur Residents
Chapter 7 discharges most debts. A trustee reviews your assets. Exempt property stays with you. Non-exempt items may be sold. The fee is $338. Cases usually close in about 4 months.
Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan. You pay what you can over 3 to 5 years. You keep your home and car. It costs $313 to file. This works well for people with regular income who want to catch up on payments.
Chapter 11 reorganizes businesses. Some high-debt individuals use it too. It costs $1,738. The process is complex.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Personal identifiers get redacted. Anyone can view the basic case information.
Filing Bankruptcy from Decatur
Credit counseling comes first. Take an approved course. Keep the certificate for your petition.
Complete the schedules. List all assets and debts. Report income and expenses. Fill out the statement of financial affairs.
File at the Huntsville clerk's office. You can also mail documents or use electronic filing through an attorney. Pay the fee or ask for installments. Low-income Chapter 7 filers may qualify for a fee waiver.
The automatic stay starts when you file. Creditors must stop collection. No calls. No lawsuits. No garnishments.
The 341 meeting happens about a month later. It may be in Huntsville or possibly Decatur. A trustee asks questions. Creditors can attend but rarely do. Bring ID and Social Security proof.
Complete debtor education before discharge. File the certificate with the court. Wait for your discharge order.
Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators. They schedule meetings and oversee trustees. Contact them through alnba.uscourts.gov.
Online Resources for Decatur Bankruptcy
The Northern District website at alnb.uscourts.gov has forms and local rules. Check for Northern Division pages about Huntsville and Decatur.
CM/ECF at ecf.alnb.uscourts.gov handles electronic filing. Attorneys use this. Pro se filers can file paper documents at the Huntsville office.
RECAP Archive at courtlistener.com/recap has some free documents. Coverage varies. Check before paying for PACER.
PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts. Use it to find cases nationwide.
Decatur Bankruptcy Fees
Filing fees are set by federal law:
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
- PACER: $0.10/page, max $3.00/document
- Certified copies: $12.00
- Clerk search: $32.00 per name
PACER charges under $30 per quarter are waived. Free viewing at the Huntsville courthouse. Print for $0.10 per page.
Legal Help for Bankruptcy in Decatur
Many Decatur residents work with local attorneys. Lawyers know the Huntsville court. They can handle filings and attend hearings for you.
Legal Services Alabama helps low-income people. Call (256) 536-9645 for the Huntsville office. Or use (866) 456-4995 statewide. Visit legalservicesalabama.org.
The Morgan County Bar Association can refer you to attorneys. Ask about bankruptcy specialists.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides and information. It explains how bankruptcy works.
Filing without a lawyer is possible. Simple cases may go smoothly. The court cannot give legal advice. Staff can explain procedures. Complex situations benefit from professional help.
Morgan County Bankruptcy Records
Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. All bankruptcy cases for the county go through the Northern District. Filings go to Huntsville. See the county page for more details.
Nearby Cities
Other major Alabama cities nearby include:
- Huntsville - Northern Division office (about 25 miles northeast)
- Madison - Also uses Huntsville (about 20 miles northeast)
- Birmingham - Northern District headquarters (about 80 miles south)