Access Cullman County Bankruptcy Records

Cullman County bankruptcy records are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The Northern Division in Huntsville handles cases, with Birmingham also available.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Cullman County

Cullman County falls under the Northern Division of the Northern District. The Huntsville office is about 55 miles from Cullman city. Birmingham is about 50 miles away. This gives Cullman County residents two options for in-person visits.

All bankruptcy matters go through federal court. County courts have no part in bankruptcy. The Northern District has five bankruptcy judges. They handle Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 cases.

How to Search Cullman County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main tool for searching federal court records. Register for free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Search by name, case number, or last four of Social Security number.

PACER costs $0.10 per page. Documents cap at $3.00. Quarterly fees under $30 are waived. You get full access to dockets and documents.

The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts at once.

To search Cullman County bankruptcy records:

• Full name of debtor
• Last four SSN (optional)
• Case number (if known)
• Date range

McVCIS phone lookups: 1-866-222-8029. Free, 24/7. Check status and meeting dates.

Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Federal fees are the same everywhere:

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

Pay in installments if needed. Up to four payments over 120 days. Fee waivers for Chapter 7 if income is below 150% of poverty.

Record fees: PACER $0.10 per page. Certified copies: $12.00. Clerk searches: $32.00 per name. Free viewing at courthouse.

What Cullman County Bankruptcy Records Contain

Bankruptcy files are thorough. The petition has debtor info. Schedules A through J cover assets, debts, income, expenses. Every creditor is listed.

The Statement of Financial Affairs goes back years. Covers income, property sales, lawsuits, garnishments. Creditors file claims. Trustees file reports. Courts issue orders.

Documents in a file:

• Voluntary petition
• Schedules of assets and liabilities
• Statement of Financial Affairs
• Creditor matrix
• Proofs of claim
• Trustee reports
• 341 meeting notice
• Discharge order

Records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. SSN shows only last four digits. Account numbers shortened. Tax returns sealed.

The Bankruptcy Administrator

Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators instead of U.S. Trustees. The Administrator works for the court. They appoint trustees, monitor cases, run 341 meetings.

The 341 meeting happens about a month after filing. Trustee questions you under oath. Creditors can attend but rarely do. Cullman County meetings are in Huntsville or Birmingham.

Contact: (205) 714-4300. Website: www.alnba.uscourts.gov.

Free Ways to Search

RECAP has free PACER documents at courtlistener.com/recap. Coverage varies.

Visit Huntsville or Birmingham courthouse for free viewing. Printing: $0.10 per page. Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Old records at National Archives after 15 years. Retrieval: $64 per box. Call (404) 736-2820.

Legal Help for Cullman County

Most people hire lawyers. Legal Services Alabama: (866) 456-4995 for low-income help.

Alabama State Bar referral: (800) 392-5660.

Pro se filing: Forms at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.

Types of Bankruptcy

Chapter 7: Liquidation. Assets sold. Debts discharged. Four months. Means test.

Chapter 13: Payment plan. Keep property. Pay three to five years.

Chapter 11: Business reorganization. Fee: $1,738. Chapter 12: Farmers.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Cullman County: