Find Deerfield Beach Bankruptcy Records

Deerfield Beach bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. Located in northern Broward County, Deerfield Beach residents file their cases at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. These records are public under federal law, and you can search them through PACER, by phone with the VCIS system, or in person at the courthouse. The Broward County Clerk of Court also maintains related civil records that may connect to local bankruptcy filings.

Deerfield Beach Bankruptcy Court and County

Deerfield Beach sits in Broward County. All bankruptcy filings from Deerfield Beach residents go to the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division handles Broward County cases. The courthouse is at 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. You can call (954) 769-5700 for questions about court procedures or filing. The drive from Deerfield Beach to the Fort Lauderdale courthouse is short, usually around 20 minutes.

The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court is one of the busiest in the country. It has divisions in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Deerfield Beach falls under the Fort Lauderdale Division because it is in Broward County. Your case stays in that division from filing through discharge. Judges assigned to the Fort Lauderdale Division handle local hearings and motions.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. Deerfield Beach is in Broward County, which is part of the Southern District. So residents file at the Fort Lauderdale Division specifically.

Broward County Clerk of Court

The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, but the county clerk keeps civil records that often overlap with bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and collection suits all pass through the Broward County Clerk's office. If a creditor has taken action against you in Broward County, or if local court cases are tied to your debts, the clerk has those records.

You can reach the Broward County Clerk at (954) 831-6565. The Broward County Clerk website has tools to search civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets online. These are not bankruptcy files, but they show related matters. A judgment lien in Broward County might affect your bankruptcy case, so checking both systems gives you a fuller picture.

Below is the Deerfield Beach city government website, which provides local resources for residents dealing with financial and legal matters.

The city site has links to local services and can point you toward community resources that may help during the bankruptcy process.

Search Deerfield Beach Bankruptcy Cases

Three main ways exist to search for bankruptcy records in Deerfield Beach. PACER is the quickest. VCIS by phone is free and simple. And you can go to the Fort Lauderdale courthouse to view files in person.

PACER covers all federal courts, including the Southern District of Florida. You need a free account to search. Once in, look up Deerfield Beach cases by name, case number, or Social Security number. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Stay under $30 in a quarter and the charges are waived entirely. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, these are public records. Anyone can look them up.

VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on any case in the Southern District. The system is free and runs 24 hours a day. It gives you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. No account needed. VCIS works best when you just need a quick answer on whether someone has filed.

You can also visit the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse at 299 East Broward Blvd. Public terminals let you search and view case files at no charge. Bring a photo ID. The clerk's office staff can help locate specific documents from Deerfield Beach cases.

Filing Bankruptcy in Deerfield Beach

Most Deerfield Beach residents file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs $338 and wipes out most unsecured debts. You might have to give up certain property. Chapter 13 costs $313 and puts you on a payment plan for three to five years. The court can allow installment payments if you cannot afford the full fee up front. Some Chapter 7 filers get a full fee waiver.

Credit counseling from an approved agency is required before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps the list of approved providers for the Southern District. You must complete this within 180 days before filing your petition. Gather pay stubs, tax returns, bank records, and a full accounting of your debts and assets. All forms are filed with the Fort Lauderdale Division. You can get the official forms from the U.S. Courts website.

Once filed, an automatic stay takes hold under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must stop all collection actions. No more calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, or foreclosure steps. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days out. Deerfield Beach residents attend these hearings at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse.

Deerfield Beach Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income people across the state. They can advise Deerfield Beach residents on whether bankruptcy makes sense and help with the paperwork. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida also serves Broward County and may assist with civil debt matters.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service for the Broward County area. A small fee gets you a meeting with a local bankruptcy attorney. Many lawyers give free first consultations too. If you plan to file without a lawyer, the Southern District court has pro se resources and guides on its site. Pro se means you represent yourself in court.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge frees you from personal liability on most debts. But some debts stick around. Student loans, child support, alimony, and recent taxes survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. A lawyer can tell you exactly which debts go away and which remain after your Deerfield Beach case is done.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are close to Deerfield Beach. Each page has details on local bankruptcy courts and resources for that area.