Sumter County Bankruptcy Records

Sumter County bankruptcy records are handled by federal bankruptcy courts. The county seat is Livingston. All bankruptcy filings go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama in Mobile.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Sumter County

Sumter County is served by the Southern District of Alabama. This is federal court. State and county courts do not handle bankruptcy. All filings from Sumter County residents go to Mobile. The district covers counties in southwest Alabama.

The Mobile office is the main staffed location. Two bankruptcy judges hear all cases for the district. Sumter County has a small population, so case numbers are low. Most filings are Chapter 7 liquidations or Chapter 13 payment plans. The court uses electronic filing through CM/ECF.

How to Search Sumter County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main way to search. It works online from any computer. Look up cases filed by Sumter County residents at any time. The system contains all documents. Sign up free at pacer.uscourts.gov.

Fees are low. PACER charges $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. Small searches cost nothing for most people looking at Sumter County bankruptcy records.

You can search by name, case number, or SSN last four digits. The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov covers all federal courts. Useful when you do not know which court has a case.

Phone access is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 for McVCIS. Available 24/7. Get basic facts like status and dates. No documents, but good for quick checks on Sumter County bankruptcy records.

In-person visits take planning. Mobile is the only clerk office. The drive from Livingston is long. The office is open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays. The public terminal is free to view. Printing costs $0.10 per page. Certified copies cost $12.00.

Electronic Self-Representation System

The Southern District has eSR. It helps people file bankruptcy without a lawyer. Answer questions and the system makes forms. This is unique to the Southern District of Alabama. Most federal courts lack this tool.

eSR is free to use. Filing fees still apply. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can ask for a fee waiver if income is low. The system does not give legal advice. Sumter County residents can access it at alsb.uscourts.gov.

Self-filing works for simple cases. Complex situations need professional help. The eSR handles paperwork only, not legal strategy.

What Sumter County Bankruptcy Records Show

A bankruptcy file has many parts. The petition starts the case. It names the debtor and chapter. Schedules list assets and debts in detail. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers money history. All creditors get listed with amounts.

Court orders build over time. The automatic stay stops collections. The discharge clears debts. Some cases have motions, objections, and hearings. Trustee reports track assets. Proofs of claim document creditor amounts.

Sumter County bankruptcy records typically include:

• Debtor full name and address
• Chapter (7, 11, 12, or 13)
• Filing date
• All assets with values
• All debts with creditors
• Income and expenses
• Discharge date if closed

Some data is redacted. SSN shows only last four digits. Account numbers the same. Birth dates show year only. Minor children use initials. Tax returns are sealed. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037 requires these protections.

Fees for Sumter County Bankruptcy Records

PACER fees are standard. Pay $0.10 per page. Cap at $3.00 per document. Audio costs $2.40. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. Small searches typically cost nothing for Sumter County bankruptcy records.

Clerk office services cost more:

• Certified copy: $12.00
• Exemplification: $25.00
• Clerk search: $32.00 per name
• Printing: $0.10 per page

Old records may be at the National Archives. Cases over 15 years sometimes transfer there. Retrieval costs $64.00 per box. The Atlanta center holds Alabama files. Call (404) 736-2820 about old Sumter County bankruptcy records.

Bankruptcy Administrator for Sumter County

Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators. Most states have U.S. Trustees from the Justice Department. Alabama is different. The BA is a court employee. Only Alabama and North Carolina work this way.

Every case has a 341 meeting. Creditors can ask questions. The trustee leads it. Sumter County meetings happen in Mobile. Check alsba.uscourts.gov for schedules. Call (251) 441-5577.

The BA does not give legal advice. They explain procedures and provide trustee contacts. Their website has forms and dates. Access is free for Sumter County cases.

Legal Framework for Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records are public. 11 U.S.C. § 107 makes them open to all. No reason required. No party status needed. Sumter County bankruptcy records are available to anyone.

Sealing is rare. Trade secrets might qualify. Confidential business data can be protected. A party must request it. The judge decides. Most cases stay fully public.

All bankruptcy law is at 11 U.S.C. § 101-1532. Federal law controls. Alabama state law affects exemptions only. The rest applies everywhere.

Free Alternatives for Searching

RECAP saves PACER documents for free use. Search at courtlistener.com/recap. Coverage depends on what users shared. Some Sumter County cases may be there.

McVCIS phone service costs nothing. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. Get basic case info. No documents, but useful for quick checks.

The courthouse terminal is free for viewing. Printing costs money. Staff can help. A good option for reviewing many files without PACER fees for Sumter County bankruptcy records.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County is rural with small towns. Livingston is the county seat and home to the University of West Alabama. Other communities include York and Emelle. All residents file bankruptcy in Mobile. No local court handles these cases.

The drive from Livingston to Mobile is long. Online access through PACER is often the most practical choice for Sumter County residents.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sumter County. Check your address to know which county you are in before filing.