Find Winston County Bankruptcy Records
Winston County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The Western Division in Tuscaloosa serves Winston County residents.
Winston County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Winston County
Winston County is in the Western Division of the Northern District. The Tuscaloosa courthouse is about 50 miles from Double Springs. Bankruptcy is a federal matter. County and state courts have no role in it.
Winston County is in the hill country of northwest Alabama. It has a small population. The county is known for its independent streak during the Civil War. Today, most bankruptcy cases here are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 filings from individuals.
The drive to Tuscaloosa takes about an hour. Some Winston County residents may find Birmingham closer, depending on where they live in the county. But Tuscaloosa is the assigned court for the Western Division. The Tuscaloosa office has all the same services as Birmingham.
| Court Name | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama |
|---|---|
| Division | Western Division (Tuscaloosa) |
| Address |
Richard Shelby Federal Building 2005 University Boulevard Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 561-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | www.alnb.uscourts.gov |
The Birmingham office is also available. It is at 1800 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Phone: (205) 714-4000. Some hearings may be scheduled there instead of Tuscaloosa.
How to Search Winston County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main way to search. Sign up free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Once you have a login, search by debtor name, case number, or the last four of a Social Security number. PACER shows the full docket and all filed documents.
PACER costs $0.10 per page. The maximum is $3.00 per document. If your quarterly charges are under $30, the fee is waived. Casual users often pay nothing.
The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts at once. This is helpful if you do not know where a case was filed.
McVCIS is a free phone option. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. You can check case status and get 341 meeting dates.
Visit the Tuscaloosa courthouse for free viewing. Public terminals in the clerk's office let you look at records without charge. Printing costs extra, but viewing is free.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Filing fees are set by federal law. They are the same everywhere.
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
- Chapter 12: $278
The court allows installment payments if you file a motion. Fee waivers are available for Chapter 7 if your income is very low. Forms for both are on the court website.
Accessing records has separate costs. PACER is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Certified copies cost $12.00 each. A clerk-run search costs $32.00. Viewing at the courthouse is free.
What Winston County Bankruptcy Records Include
A bankruptcy file has many parts. The petition starts the case. Then come schedules that list all assets and debts. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers financial history. The creditor matrix lists everyone owed money. As the case goes on, creditors file proofs of claim. The trustee files reports. A discharge order ends the case if all goes well.
Schedules are detailed. They show real estate, cars, bank accounts, income, and expenses. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers lawsuits, garnishments, gifts, and transfers for the past two years. Creditors file claims to say how much they are owed and why.
Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Some things are protected. Only the last four digits of Social Security numbers appear. Tax returns need a court order to view.
The Bankruptcy Administrator
Alabama does not use a U.S. Trustee like most states. Instead, it has a Bankruptcy Administrator. This office appoints trustees, runs 341 meetings, and monitors cases for fraud or abuse. North Carolina is the only other state with this system.
Winston County 341 meetings happen in Tuscaloosa. The debtor must attend and answer questions under oath. Creditors can come and ask questions too. These meetings are usually short and straightforward.
Contact the Bankruptcy Administrator office at (205) 561-1600 in Tuscaloosa or (205) 714-4300 in Birmingham. The website is www.alnba.uscourts.gov.
Free Access Options
RECAP at courtlistener.com/recap offers free court documents. It is an archive built from documents that PACER users have shared. Not all cases are there, but coverage keeps growing.
The Tuscaloosa courthouse has free public terminals. You can view any case without paying. Staff can help you find what you need. This is a good choice if you have many documents to review.
Legal Help for Winston County
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to people with low incomes. Call (866) 456-4995 to check if you qualify. The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral line is (800) 392-5660.
Attorneys in the Double Springs and Jasper areas handle bankruptcy cases. Many offer free first visits. Talk to a few before you choose one.
If you file without a lawyer, get official forms at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain how to file and what forms to use.
Types of Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 is liquidation. A trustee sells non-exempt property and pays creditors. Most debts get wiped out. It takes about 3 to 4 months. This works for people who have limited income and few assets they could lose.
Chapter 13 is a payment plan. You keep your property and repay some of what you owe over 3 to 5 years. This is good for saving a house from foreclosure or catching up on car payments.
Chapter 11 is for businesses that want to reorganize. It is complex and expensive. Some high-debt individuals use it too.
Chapter 12 is for family farmers and fishermen. The rules fit their seasonal income and special needs.