Search Walker County Bankruptcy Records
Walker County bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The Southern Division in Birmingham handles all Walker County filings.
Walker County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Walker County
Walker County is part of the Southern Division of the Northern District. The Birmingham courthouse is about 35 miles from Jasper, the county seat. This is a federal court. State and county courts do not handle bankruptcy at all.
Walker County sits in northwest Alabama. It was once a major coal mining area. The economy has shifted, but the county still sees steady bankruptcy filings. Most are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 cases from individuals dealing with debt.
The drive to Birmingham takes less than an hour on I-22. Some Walker County residents also use the Western Division in Tuscaloosa for certain matters. But Birmingham is the primary court for Walker County bankruptcies.
| Court Name | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama |
|---|---|
| Division | Southern Division (Birmingham) |
| Address |
Robert S. Vance Federal Building 1800 Fifth Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 714-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | www.alnb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search Walker County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main search tool. Register at pacer.uscourts.gov for free. You can then search by name, case number, or last four of a Social Security number. PACER shows all docket entries and documents.
The cost is $0.10 per page. Each document is capped at $3.00. If you use less than $30 in a quarter, the fee is waived. Most people who search a few cases pay nothing.
PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts. Use this if you are not sure where a case was filed.
McVCIS is a free phone service. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. It gives case status and meeting dates.
The Birmingham courthouse has free terminals. You can view cases without paying. This is a good option if you need to look at many files. Printing costs money, but viewing is free.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Filing fees are the same at all federal courts. They are set by Congress.
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
- Chapter 12: $278
You can pay in installments if the court approves. Fee waivers are possible for Chapter 7 cases if you have very low income. Forms for both options are on the court website.
Getting records costs extra. PACER is $0.10 per page up to $3.00 per document. Certified copies are $12.00. A clerk search is $32.00. Viewing at the courthouse is free.
What Walker County Bankruptcy Records Contain
Each bankruptcy case has a full file. It starts with the petition. Then come the schedules of assets and debts, Statement of Financial Affairs, and the list of all creditors. As the case moves forward, proofs of claim get filed. The trustee submits reports. If the debtor finishes the case, a discharge order ends it.
The schedules are detailed. They show all property, all debts, monthly income, and monthly expenses. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers two years of financial history. Creditors file claims to say how much they are owed.
All of this is public. The law is 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Only the last four digits of Social Security numbers show. Tax returns are sealed.
The Bankruptcy Administrator
Alabama uses a Bankruptcy Administrator instead of a U.S. Trustee. This is different from most states. Only North Carolina does the same thing. The Bankruptcy Administrator picks trustees, runs 341 meetings, and watches for fraud.
Walker County 341 meetings happen in Birmingham. The debtor must show up and answer questions. Creditors can attend too. The meetings are usually short.
Contact the Bankruptcy Administrator at (205) 714-4300. The website is www.alnba.uscourts.gov.
Free Access Options
RECAP at courtlistener.com/recap has free documents. It is an archive of files that PACER users have shared. Not every case is there, but many are.
The Birmingham courthouse lets you view records for free. Go to the clerk's office and use a public terminal. This saves money if you need to review many documents.
Legal Help for Walker County
Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents. Call (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral line at (800) 392-5660. The Birmingham Bar Association referral number is (205) 251-8006.
Many attorneys in the Jasper area handle bankruptcy cases. Most offer free consultations. Get advice from more than one lawyer before you pick one.
If you want to file on your own, get the forms at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. The court cannot give legal advice, but staff can help with procedures.
Types of Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 wipes out most debts. A trustee may sell property that is not protected. The case ends in about 4 months. This is common for people who do not have much income or many assets.
Chapter 13 is a repayment plan. You keep your property and pay back some of what you owe over 3 to 5 years. This is good for saving a house from foreclosure or a car from repossession.
Chapter 11 lets businesses reorganize. It is complex and expensive. Some individuals use it if they have too much debt for Chapter 13.
Chapter 12 is for farmers and fishermen. It has rules that fit their special situations.