Montgomery County Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy records for Montgomery County are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in downtown Montgomery. This is the main courthouse for the entire Middle District of Alabama.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Middle District
Montgomery County is home to the main courthouse for the Middle District of Alabama. The court sits at One Church Street in the Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building. This is the only staffed location for all 23 counties in the Middle District.
As the capital and fourth-largest city in Alabama, Montgomery handles significant bankruptcy volume. Both bankruptcy judges for the Middle District sit here. Walk-in hours run 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Phone support extends to 5:00 PM.
| Court Name | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Alabama |
|---|---|
| Address | One Church Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Phone | (334) 954-3800 |
| CM/ECF Help | (334) 954-3935 |
| Hours | Walk-in: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday |
| Website | almb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the federal system for searching court records online. It covers all bankruptcy courts including the Middle District of Alabama. Registration is free. You pay only when you search.
PACER charges 10 cents per page. Documents cap at $3.00. If your quarterly total stays under $30, they waive all fees. Many people search for free.
To find Montgomery County bankruptcies:
- Visit pacer.uscourts.gov
- Create a free account
- Select Middle District of Alabama
- Enter name, case number, or last 4 of SSN
- Browse results and documents
You can also search in person. The courthouse has public terminals for free viewing. Prints cost 10 cents per page. Staff can help you search by name or case number.
Free phone searches work at 1-866-222-8029. McVCIS runs 24/7. Check RECAP Archive first at courtlistener.com/recap for free documents.
Filing Fees and Costs
Federal law sets bankruptcy filing fees. They are the same everywhere. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738.
Getting copies has its own costs. PACER is 10 cents per page up to $3.00 per document. Certified copies from the clerk run $12.00. Clerk searches cost $32.00 per name. Courthouse terminal use is free for viewing.
- Chapter 7 filing: $338
- Chapter 13 filing: $313
- Chapter 11 filing: $1,738
- PACER: $0.10/page (max $3.00)
- Certified copy: $12.00
- Clerk search: $32.00
- Courthouse terminal: Free viewing
Low-income filers may pay over time or get fees waived. Ask the clerk about forms for this.
Types of Bankruptcy
Most Montgomery County residents file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. These cover nearly all personal cases.
Chapter 7 is fast. It wipes out most debts in about four months. You may lose some property, but Alabama exemptions protect quite a bit. This works best for people with high credit card debt, medical bills, or other unsecured debt and limited income.
Chapter 13 is a payment plan. You make payments for three to five years from your wages. Remaining debts get discharged at the end. This works if you have steady income and want to save a house from foreclosure.
Chapter 11 is for businesses. Montgomery has many businesses that might use this, from small shops to large employers. Chapter 12 is for farmers. The rural parts of Montgomery County have some agricultural operations.
What Bankruptcy Records Contain
Each case creates many documents. The petition lists basic debtor info. Schedules break down all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers recent years.
As the case goes on, more papers get filed. Creditors submit claims. The trustee writes reports. The judge issues orders. A discharge order at the end wipes out debts.
Most records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Personal data gets protected. You see only four digits of Social Security numbers. Birth dates show the year only.
Bankruptcy Administrator
Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators instead of U.S. Trustees. Only Alabama and North Carolina do this. The administrator works for the court directly.
The administrator runs the 341 meeting of creditors. Every case has one. The debtor must attend and answer questions under oath. Creditors can come, but most skip it. Meetings usually take about five minutes.
Contact the Middle District Bankruptcy Administrator at (334) 954-3850. Their office is in the same building as the court. Visit almba.uscourts.gov for trustee info and meeting schedules.
Finding Legal Help
Most people hire lawyers for bankruptcy. Legal Services Alabama has an office in Montgomery at (334) 832-4570. They help low-income residents with some cases.
The Alabama State Bar referral line is (800) 392-5660. The Montgomery County Bar Association may also have referrals. Many attorneys offer free first meetings.
Montgomery has numerous law firms handling bankruptcy. Lawyer fees for Chapter 7 typically run $1,000 to $2,000. Chapter 13 costs more, often $3,000 to $5,000. These are on top of court filing fees.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes the city of Montgomery, Pike Road, and parts of Prattville. Montgomery is the state capital and by far the largest city. All bankruptcy cases go to the downtown courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Montgomery. All are in the Middle District and use the Montgomery courthouse.