Search Barbour County Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy filings from Barbour County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Montgomery handles all cases, though Dothan hosts some hearings.
Barbour County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Information
Barbour County sits in the Eastern Division of the Middle District. But do not let that fool you. Montgomery is still where you go for most business. The Dothan courthouse holds hearings only. You cannot drop off papers there or talk to a clerk.
The Montgomery office is the only staffed location. It sits at One Church Street in the Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building. From Clayton, expect about an hour and a half drive northwest. The Dothan location is closer at about 45 minutes, but again, that is hearings only. No mail, no walk-in services.
| Court Name | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Alabama |
|---|---|
| Main Office | One Church Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Dothan (Hearings Only) | 100 W. Troy Street Dothan, AL 36303 No mail accepted |
| Phone | (334) 954-3800 |
| Hours | Walk-in: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | almb.uscourts.gov |
Searching Barbour County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the way to search. It stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. The federal courts run it. Every bankruptcy case in Barbour County shows up there. You need to make an account first. That part costs nothing.
Using PACER does have costs. They charge 10 cents for each page you view. But a single document maxes out at $3.00 no matter how long it is. Even better, if you stay under $30 in a quarter, they wipe the charges. So small searches often end up free.
The search works a few ways. You can type in a name and see what comes up. You can enter a case number if you have one. The system also lets you search by the last four digits of a Social Security number. This helps when names are common.
Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to start. Pick the Middle District of Alabama. Run your search. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and parties involved. Click into a case to see the full docket and documents.
The McVCIS phone system offers another option. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can check case status and basic info by entering names or numbers on your phone keypad. There is no charge for this service.
Court Fees and Costs
Bankruptcy filing fees are set by federal law. They do not change from county to county. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 costs $313. Business reorganization under Chapter 11 runs $1,738.
Getting copies has its own costs. PACER charges the 10 cents per page we talked about. If you want an official certified copy, that adds $12.00. Having the clerk do a search for you costs $32.00 per name. Walk-in terminal use at the courthouse is free for viewing, but prints cost 10 cents each.
- Chapter 7 petition: $338
- Chapter 13 petition: $313
- Chapter 11 petition: $1,738
- PACER page view: $0.10 (max $3.00 per document)
- Certified copy fee: $12.00
- Name search by clerk: $32.00
The court can let people pay fees over time. Some very low-income filers get fees waived entirely. Ask the clerk about this if money is tight. Forms for fee waivers are on the court website.
What You Find in Bankruptcy Records
A bankruptcy file holds many papers. The voluntary petition starts things off. It gives basic details about the person or business filing. Schedules break down assets, debts, income, and expenses. These forms show the full financial picture.
The Statement of Financial Affairs looks at recent history. Did the debtor transfer any property? Are there lawsuits pending? Has the debtor filed bankruptcy before? All of this goes in the statement. Creditors and the court use it to spot issues.
As the case moves along, more documents pile up. Proofs of claim come from creditors. The trustee files reports. The judge issues orders. At the end, a discharge order closes things out. This is the paper that wipes out the debts.
Federal law under 11 U.S.C. Section 107 makes most of these public. Anyone can view them. But some info gets redacted. Social Security numbers show only the last four digits. Same for bank account numbers. Birth dates show just the year. Names of minor children appear as initials only.
About the Bankruptcy Administrator
Alabama handles bankruptcy oversight differently. Most states have a U.S. Trustee from the Justice Department. Alabama and North Carolina use Bankruptcy Administrators instead. These people work for the court itself.
The administrator runs the 341 meeting. Every bankruptcy case has one. The debtor must attend and answer questions under oath. This usually happens about a month after filing. Creditors can show up and ask questions too. Most do not bother.
For the Middle District, reach the Bankruptcy Administrator at (334) 954-3850. The office shares the Montgomery courthouse address. Visit almba.uscourts.gov for trustee panels and meeting schedules.
Legal Help for Barbour County Residents
Most people hire a lawyer for bankruptcy. The process has lots of rules. Mistakes can cost you. Legal Services Alabama helps people with low income. Their Dothan office covers Barbour County. Call (334) 793-6555.
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at (800) 392-5660. They can point you toward bankruptcy attorneys in the area. Many lawyers give free first meetings. Use those to compare prices and see who you trust.
If you want to try filing alone, the court calls that pro se. Forms are available online. The court website has instructions. But be careful. Bankruptcy rules are strict. One wrong move can get your case thrown out or leave you worse off than before.
Cities in Barbour County
Barbour County includes Clayton, Eufaula, Clio, and Louisville. Eufaula is the largest city. All bankruptcy cases from these towns go to the Middle District court in Montgomery. The Dothan courthouse may handle some hearings since it sits closer.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Barbour. Russell and Henry also fall in the Middle District. Pike and Bullock do too. If you live near a line, check your exact address before filing.