Chambers County Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy records for Chambers County are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Montgomery. Some hearings take place at the Opelika courthouse, though it accepts no mail or walk-in services.
Chambers County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Locations
Chambers County falls in the Eastern Division of the Middle District of Alabama. The main office is in Montgomery. This is where you file papers, talk to staff, and handle all official business. From LaFayette, Montgomery is about an hour and a half drive southwest.
Good news for Chambers County residents: Opelika has a courthouse for hearings. This is much closer, only about 25 miles from LaFayette. But here is the catch. Opelika is hearings only. They do not take mail. You cannot walk in and file papers. All filings must go to Montgomery.
| Main Office |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court One Church Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: (334) 954-3800 |
|---|---|
| Opelika (Hearings Only) |
701 Avenue A Opelika, AL 36801 No mail accepted. No walk-in services. |
| Montgomery Hours | Walk-in: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | almb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search Bankruptcy Records
PACER gives you online access to all bankruptcy records in Chambers County. This federal system covers every court. Creating an account is free. You only pay when you actually pull up records.
The cost is small. PACER charges 10 cents per page. No single document costs more than $3.00. And if your total stays under $30 for the quarter, they wipe the fee. Most people doing basic searches pay nothing at all.
To search Chambers County bankruptcies:
- Go to pacer.uscourts.gov
- Register for free
- Select Middle District of Alabama
- Enter name, case number, or last 4 of SSN
- View results
The McVCIS phone line offers free searches. Dial 1-866-222-8029 any time. It runs around the clock. Punch in a name or number on your keypad. The system reads back case details.
Also check the RECAP Archive at courtlistener.com/recap. This free site stores copies of PACER documents. Someone else may have already grabbed what you need.
Court Fees
Filing fees come from federal law. They apply the same everywhere. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738. These go to the court, not to lawyers.
Copies have their own costs. PACER is 10 cents per page up to $3.00 per document. Certified copies from the clerk cost $12.00 each. If you want the clerk to search for you, that is $32.00 per name.
Some filers can pay over time. Low-income people may get fees waived. The court has forms for this on its website.
Types of Bankruptcy Cases
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 handle most personal cases. Chapter 7 is fast. Debts get wiped in about four months. You may lose some property, but Alabama protects a lot through exemptions. This works if you have high debt and low income.
Chapter 13 takes three to five years. You make payments from your wages. At the end, remaining debts get discharged. This lets you catch up on house payments and stop foreclosure. It works best if you have regular income.
Chapter 11 is for businesses. It lets them reorganize while staying open. Chapter 12 is for farmers. Both are less common than 7 and 13.
What Records Show
Bankruptcy files have many parts. The petition lists basic info about the debtor. Schedules show all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers recent history.
As the case moves on, more papers get filed. Creditors submit claims. The trustee files reports. The judge issues orders. The discharge order at the end shows what debts got wiped out.
Most of this is public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. But sensitive data gets hidden. You see only four digits of Social Security numbers. Birth dates show just the year. Children appear as initials.
Bankruptcy Administrator
Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators, not U.S. Trustees. Only Alabama and North Carolina work this way. The administrator runs the 341 meeting of creditors. Every case has one. The debtor must appear and answer questions under oath.
Contact the Middle District Bankruptcy Administrator at (334) 954-3850. Visit almba.uscourts.gov for trustee info and meeting schedules.
Getting Legal Help
Most people hire lawyers for bankruptcy. Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents. The Opelika area office may be able to help Chambers County folks. Call (334) 745-4000.
The Alabama State Bar has a referral line at (800) 392-5660. They connect you with attorneys. Many offer free first meetings. Shop around for fees. Chapter 7 usually runs $1,000 to $2,000 for legal help. Chapter 13 costs more.
If you file without a lawyer, the court calls it pro se. Forms and instructions are on the court website. Be careful though. Mistakes can get your case thrown out.
Cities in Chambers County
Chambers County includes LaFayette, Valley, and Lanett. LaFayette is the county seat. Valley is the largest city. All bankruptcy filings go through Montgomery. Hearings may happen in nearby Opelika.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chambers. Lee County has the Opelika hearing location. All of these are in the Middle District.