Montgomery Bankruptcy Records

Montgomery bankruptcy records are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama. As the state capital, Montgomery serves as the only staffed office for this district.

Where to File Bankruptcy in Montgomery

Montgomery is headquarters for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama. This is the only staffed location in the entire district. Two bankruptcy judges work here. They handle cases for 23 counties in central and eastern Alabama.

The court sits at One Church Street in downtown Montgomery. This is where you file new cases. You can get copies of bankruptcy records here. Walk-in hours run from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone hours extend to 5:00 PM.

The Middle District also has courthouses in Opelika and Dothan. But those are for hearings only. They do not accept mail. They do not have full-time staff. All mail and filings must go to Montgomery. If you live in Montgomery, you have the most convenient access in the district.

How to Search Montgomery Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records in Montgomery are public under federal law. You can search them online or visit the courthouse. Most people prefer online access through PACER.

PACER gives you access to all bankruptcy cases filed in Montgomery. The system costs $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00. Charges under $30 per quarter get waived. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov.

To search Montgomery bankruptcy records, you will need:

• Full name of the debtor
• Case number if known
• Last four of Social Security number (helps narrow results)
• Year the case was filed

The free phone option is McVCIS. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time day or night. You can check case status and find basic info. No fee applies. Just follow the voice prompts.

At the courthouse, public terminals let you view records free of charge. Printing costs $0.10 per page. Staff can help with searches. The CM/ECF helpdesk at (334) 954-3935 handles technical questions about electronic filing.

Types of Bankruptcy in Montgomery

Montgomery residents file under different chapters. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cover most personal cases. Businesses use Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. Each chapter has its own rules and records.

Chapter 7 liquidates assets. A trustee sells what is not exempt. The process takes 3 to 6 months. Filing costs $338. Most filers keep their property because Alabama exemptions protect common assets. Records show what was listed and what happened to it.

Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan. You keep your home and car. You pay what you can afford over 3 to 5 years. The fee is $313. Montgomery sees many Chapter 13 cases. Records include the plan, monthly payments, and trustee reports.

Chapter 11 reorganizes businesses. It costs $1,738 to file. Large companies and some individuals use it. Records are extensive. They include disclosure statements, plans, and creditor votes.

All these records are public. Federal law at 11 U.S.C. Section 107 makes bankruptcy papers open to the public. Some personal info gets hidden. You see only the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

Bankruptcy Administrator in Montgomery

Alabama does not use the U.S. Trustee system. Instead, it has Bankruptcy Administrators. Only Alabama and North Carolina work this way. The Bankruptcy Administrator for the Middle District is based in Montgomery.

The Bankruptcy Administrator oversees trustees. They schedule the 341 meeting of creditors. They watch for fraud and abuse. They make sure cases move along properly. Contact them at (334) 954-3850 or visit almba.uscourts.gov.

The 341 meeting happens about 30 days after you file. The trustee asks about your assets and debts. Creditors can come but rarely do. In Montgomery, these meetings are held at or near the courthouse. The Bankruptcy Administrator posts schedules online.

Filing Bankruptcy in Montgomery

Start with credit counseling. Federal law requires a course before you file. Take it from an approved provider. Keep the certificate. You will need it.

Next, complete the forms. You list all assets. You list all debts. You show income and expenses. These are called schedules. You also complete a statement of financial affairs. It asks about your finances over the past few years.

File at the Montgomery clerk's office. Pay the fee or ask to pay in installments. Low-income Chapter 7 filers may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the clerk about forms for this.

Once filed, the automatic stay kicks in. Creditors must stop collections. They cannot call. They cannot sue. They cannot take your wages. This protection lasts until the case ends or a court order lifts it.

Attend the 341 meeting when scheduled. Bring photo ID and proof of Social Security number. Answer questions honestly. The meeting usually takes 10 to 15 minutes for simple cases.

Complete a second financial course before discharge. This is the debtor education class. Without it, the court will not issue your discharge. File the certificate when done.

Online Resources for Montgomery Bankruptcy

The Middle District website at almb.uscourts.gov has local rules and forms. It also has filing instructions and court calendars. The site publishes a semi-annual newsletter called "Court News and Views" with updates and information.

Electronic filing goes through CM/ECF at ecf.almb.uscourts.gov. Attorneys must use this system. Pro se filers can file on paper at the clerk's office.

Electronic Proof of Claim (ePOC) lets creditors file claims online. No login is needed. This speeds up the claims process. Find it on the court website.

RECAP Archive at courtlistener.com/recap has some documents for free. Coverage depends on what users have uploaded. It is worth checking before you pay for PACER.

The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts. Use it if you are not sure where a case was filed.

Montgomery Bankruptcy Fees

Federal law sets the filing fees. They apply everywhere in the country. Here is what it costs:

• Chapter 7 filing: $338
• Chapter 13 filing: $313
• Chapter 11 filing: $1,738
• PACER: $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document
• Certified copies: $12.00 certification fee
• Clerk search: $32.00 per name
• Audio recordings: $2.40 per file

Quarterly PACER charges under $30 get waived. This is a good deal for occasional users. View records at courthouse terminals for free. Print for $0.10 per page.

Legal Help for Bankruptcy in Montgomery

Many people hire a bankruptcy lawyer. An attorney knows local rules. They can protect your property. They handle the paperwork and court appearances.

Legal Services Alabama may help low-income residents. Call (334) 264-1471 for the Montgomery office. Or try the statewide line at (866) 456-4995. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info.

The Montgomery County Bar Association offers lawyer referrals. You can get a short meeting for a low fee. Ask about bankruptcy attorneys in your price range.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides and information. The site cannot give legal advice. But it explains the basics of bankruptcy law.

Pro se filing is an option. You handle everything yourself. The court cannot give legal advice. It can only explain procedures. Simple cases may work well this way. Complex cases benefit from an attorney.

Montgomery County Bankruptcy Records

Montgomery city is in Montgomery County. The county seat is also Montgomery. All bankruptcy cases for the county go through the Middle District court downtown. See the county page for more details on how the county is served.

View Montgomery County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Cities

Other Alabama cities in or near the Middle District include:

• Auburn - Uses Montgomery office, hearings in Opelika (55 miles east)
• Dothan - Hearings in Dothan, files in Montgomery (100 miles southeast)
• Birmingham - Northern District, has own office (90 miles north)