Bibb County Bankruptcy Records

Bibb County bankruptcy records are kept at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Birmingham. This federal court handles all bankruptcy cases for Bibb County residents.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Bibb County

All bankruptcy cases in Bibb County go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. This is a federal court. It has nothing to do with state or county courts. The main office is in Birmingham, about 40 miles from Centreville. Bibb County is part of the Southern Division within the Northern District.

The Birmingham court handles thousands of cases each year. Five bankruptcy judges work there. They hear Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 cases. Most people file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 wipes out most debts. Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan over three to five years. The court keeps records of all cases filed by Bibb County residents.

How to Search Bibb County Bankruptcy Records

You can search bankruptcy records online through PACER. This is the federal court system for public access. PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It works for all federal courts, not just bankruptcy. You need to make a free account first. Then you can search by name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

PACER charges $0.10 per page. But there is a cap of $3.00 per document. If your charges stay under $30 in a quarter, they waive the fee. So small searches are often free. You can see the full docket, all filed documents, and case status. Visit pacer.uscourts.gov to sign up.

The PACER Case Locator lets you search all federal courts at once. This is useful if you are not sure which district someone filed in. Go to pcl.uscourts.gov to use it. The data updates overnight from each court.

To search Bibb County bankruptcy records, you will need:

• Full name of the person or business
• Last four digits of Social Security number (if known)
• Case number (if you have it)
• Approximate date range for filing

You can also search by phone. The McVCIS system gives basic case info. Call 1-866-222-8029 toll-free. It works 24 hours a day. You can check case status, filing dates, and meeting times. This is free, but you cannot get documents this way.

Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Federal filing fees apply to all bankruptcy cases. These fees are set by law and do not vary by county. Bibb County residents pay the same fees as anyone else in the Northern District. The fees below are for new cases filed with the court.

• Chapter 7 filing fee: $338
• Chapter 13 filing fee: $313
• Chapter 11 filing fee: $1,738
• Chapter 12 filing fee: $278

If you cannot pay the fee all at once, you may ask to pay in installments. The court allows up to four payments over 120 days. For Chapter 7 cases, you may also ask for a full fee waiver if your income is below 150% of the poverty line. Fill out the application and file it with your petition.

There are also fees for copies and searches. PACER costs $0.10 per page for online access. Certified copies from the clerk cost $12.00 each. A search by the clerk costs $32.00 per name. If you go to the courthouse in Birmingham, you can view records for free on public terminals.

What Bibb County Bankruptcy Records Include

Bankruptcy records contain a lot of detail. The petition is the first document filed. It lists the debtor's name, address, and Social Security number. The schedules break down all assets, debts, income, and expenses. These show every creditor owed money and how much.

The Statement of Financial Affairs goes back several years. It covers income, property transfers, lawsuits, and more. Creditors file proofs of claim to say how much they are owed. The court issues orders throughout the case. The most important is the discharge order, which wipes out debts.

A typical bankruptcy file includes:

• Voluntary petition with debtor information
• Schedules A through J covering assets and liabilities
• Statement of Financial Affairs
• Creditor mailing list (matrix)
• Proofs of claim from creditors
• Trustee reports and motions
• Court orders including the discharge
• Meeting of creditors notice (341 meeting)

Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case. But some info is redacted for privacy. Social Security numbers show only the last four digits. Financial account numbers are shortened too. Full tax returns filed with the court are not public.

Bankruptcy Administrator Program

Alabama uses a Bankruptcy Administrator instead of a U.S. Trustee. This is unique to Alabama and North Carolina. The Bankruptcy Administrator works for the court, not the Department of Justice. They do the same job: oversee cases, appoint trustees, and run the 341 meetings.

The 341 meeting is also called the meeting of creditors. Every debtor must attend one. It usually happens about a month after filing. The trustee asks questions under oath about your assets and debts. Creditors can come and ask questions too, but most do not show up. For Bibb County cases, these meetings happen in Birmingham.

The Bankruptcy Administrator for the Northern District is based in Birmingham. You can reach them at (205) 714-4300. Their website has trustee information and meeting schedules at www.alnba.uscourts.gov.

Free Ways to Search Bankruptcy Records

PACER fees can add up. But there are free options. The RECAP Archive collects PACER documents that users have already paid for. It is run by the Free Law Project, a nonprofit. Go to courtlistener.com/recap to search. Coverage varies by case. Not every document is there. But it is worth checking first.

You can also go to the Birmingham courthouse in person. The clerk has public terminals where you can view records for free. You only pay if you want to print. Printing costs $0.10 per page. The courthouse is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Bring a valid ID.

For older cases, records may be at the National Archives. After about 15 years, the court sends closed files to the Atlanta Federal Records Center. You can request them, but there is a $64 retrieval fee per box. Call the National Archives at (404) 736-2820 for help.

Legal Help in Bibb County

Filing bankruptcy is complex. Many people hire a lawyer. But if you cannot afford one, there are resources. Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents with civil matters. They do not handle most bankruptcy cases directly. But they can give advice and referrals. Call (866) 456-4995 to ask about help.

The Birmingham Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a bankruptcy attorney. The first meeting is usually low cost. Call (205) 251-8006 to get a referral.

You can also file bankruptcy without a lawyer. This is called filing pro se. The court has forms online at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. The Northern District also has local forms at their website. It is not easy to do on your own. But it is possible if you take your time and follow the rules.

Types of Bankruptcy in Bibb County

Most Bibb County residents file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation. The trustee sells nonexempt assets to pay creditors. Then remaining debts are discharged. The whole process takes about four months. You must pass the means test to qualify. If your income is too high, you may have to file Chapter 13 instead.

Chapter 13 is a reorganization. You keep your property but make payments for three to five years. This works well if you have regular income and want to catch up on a mortgage or car loan. At the end, remaining unsecured debts are discharged.

Chapter 11 is mainly for businesses. But individuals with large debts can use it too. The filing fee is much higher at $1,738. Chapter 12 is for family farmers and fishermen. It works like Chapter 13 but has special rules for seasonal income.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Bibb County. All are in the Northern District except where noted. If you need records from another county, the same PACER search works for all of them.