Find Davie Bankruptcy Records
Davie bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. Davie is a town in Broward County with over 112,000 residents. Despite its town designation, it is one of the most populated communities in the county. All bankruptcy filings from Davie are public records. You can search them online through PACER, by phone using VCIS, or at the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse. The Broward County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records that may relate to bankruptcy cases from Davie.
Davie Quick Facts
Davie Bankruptcy Court and County
Davie is in Broward County. All bankruptcy cases from Davie go to the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division handles filings from Broward County. The federal courthouse is at 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 769-5700 for questions about cases or filing.
The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court runs divisions in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Davie falls under the Fort Lauderdale Division because the town is in Broward County. Hearings and meetings of creditors take place at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. The drive from Davie to the courthouse is about 15 minutes east on I-595.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. Davie is in the Southern District, so residents file at the Fort Lauderdale Division without any question. The court posts local rules, fee schedules, and filing guides on its website.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. Bankruptcy is a federal process, but the county clerk handles civil records that often connect to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection suits from Davie all go through this office. If a creditor has filed against you in Broward County court, those records are on file with the clerk.
Reach the Broward County Clerk at (954) 831-6565. The Broward County Clerk website lets you search civil cases, court dockets, and recorded documents online. These are not the same as federal bankruptcy files. However, they can show you state court matters like debt lawsuits or foreclosure actions that may relate to a Davie resident's bankruptcy case.
The image below shows the Davie city government website, which you can visit at davie-fl.gov.
From the city site you can find local government contacts and community services that may assist Davie residents facing financial difficulty.
| Clerk | Brenda D. Forman |
|---|---|
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
Davie Bankruptcy Courthouse
Davie does not have its own federal courthouse. Residents attend all bankruptcy hearings at the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse on East Broward Boulevard. It is a short drive east from Davie, roughly 15 minutes on I-595. Parking is available near the courthouse, though meters and garages can fill during busy court days.
The Fort Lauderdale courthouse handles every step of the bankruptcy process for Davie residents. You file your petition there, attend the meeting of creditors there, and go to any hearings there. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card to each visit.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida |
|---|---|
| Division | Fort Lauderdale |
| Address | 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 769-5700 |
| Website | flsb.uscourts.gov |
Search Davie Bankruptcy Records Online
Three ways let you look up Davie bankruptcy records. PACER is the fastest for online research. VCIS is free by phone. And the Fort Lauderdale courthouse has public access terminals.
PACER is the federal court electronic records system. It covers every federal court, including the Southern District of Florida. You need a free account. Then you can search by name, case number, or Social Security number. The cost is $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your total stays under $30 per quarter, you pay nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can look them up for any reason.
Call VCIS at 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The automated system gives you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and case status. It is free and requires no account. VCIS is perfect when you need a quick check on a Davie resident's filing.
At the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, public terminals in the clerk's office let you search case files for free. Staff can help you find specific documents from Davie cases. Bring a photo ID with you. You can also request copies of filings at the clerk window.
Filing Bankruptcy in Davie
Davie residents file bankruptcy at the Fort Lauderdale Division court. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common types. Chapter 7 costs $338 and eliminates most unsecured debts. You may have to give up certain property that is not exempt. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a three-to-five-year repayment plan. The court allows installment payments on the fee if you show financial need.
Before filing, you must complete credit counseling from an approved provider. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps the list of approved agencies for the Southern District of Florida. This must happen within 180 days of your filing date. You also need to pull together your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets before starting the paperwork.
When you file, an automatic stay goes into effect under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops collection actions against you. Creditors cannot call, sue, garnish your wages, or foreclose on your home while the stay is in place. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. All official forms are available on the U.S. Courts website.
A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 frees you from personal liability for most debts. Some debts survive, though. Student loans, child support, alimony, and certain tax debts are not dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Davie Bankruptcy Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income residents statewide, including those in Davie. They can advise you on whether to file and help with paperwork. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida serves Broward County and handles civil cases that may overlap with bankruptcy matters.
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service covering Davie and all of Broward County. A small fee gets you a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. Many lawyers in the Fort Lauderdale area offer free initial meetings for Davie residents. If you want to file pro se (on your own), the Southern District court posts guides and sample forms on its website.
Florida has a very strong homestead exemption that can protect your primary residence from creditors during bankruptcy. The exemption covers unlimited value as long as your homestead is on less than half an acre in a municipality. A quick meeting with a lawyer can help you understand how this applies to your property in Davie. Even a single hour of legal advice can save you from making a costly mistake in the filing process.
Nearby Cities
These Florida cities are near Davie. Each has its own page with local bankruptcy court details and resources for that area.