Fort Myers Bankruptcy Records
Fort Myers bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County with a population of about 100,000. While there is a federal courthouse on First Street in Fort Myers, it does not have a staffed bankruptcy clerk. Cases are filed through the Tampa Division. You can search these public records online through PACER, by phone with VCIS, or at the Tampa courthouse. The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that may relate to bankruptcy cases from Fort Myers.
Fort Myers Quick Facts
Fort Myers Bankruptcy Court and County
Fort Myers is in Lee County and serves as the county seat. All bankruptcy cases from Fort Myers go to the Middle District of Florida. Lee County is part of the Fort Myers Division for case assignment, but filings are handled through the Tampa Division office. The main filing courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for general court questions.
The Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court covers a large area with divisions in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers. While Fort Myers has its own division designation, the Tampa office processes the paperwork. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file. Fort Myers is in the Middle District, so residents qualify to file here.
There is a federal courthouse at 2110 First Street in Fort Myers, but it does not have a staffed bankruptcy clerk's office. Some hearings and meetings of creditors may still take place at the Fort Myers location. Check with the court for your specific case schedule.
Lee County Clerk of Court
The Lee County Clerk of Court is Linda A. Doggett. The office is at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Bankruptcy is a federal process, but the county clerk keeps civil records that often tie to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection suits from Fort Myers residents go through this office.
Call the Lee County Clerk at (239) 533-5000. The Lee County Clerk website has online tools for searching civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are state court records, not federal bankruptcy files. But they can reveal related matters. A mortgage foreclosure in Lee County, for example, might be paused because of a bankruptcy filing from a Fort Myers resident.
The image below shows the Fort Myers city government website, which provides resources for residents at cityftmyers.com.
From the city site you can find local government contacts, community services, and other information that may be useful for Fort Myers residents going through financial difficulty.
| Clerk | Linda A. Doggett |
|---|---|
| Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | leeclerk.org |
Fort Myers Bankruptcy Courthouse
Fort Myers has a federal courthouse at 2110 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. However, this location does not have a staffed bankruptcy clerk's office. Some hearings may be held there, but the main filing and processing happens at the Tampa Division courthouse. Check with the court at (813) 301-5162 to find out where your specific hearing will take place.
The Tampa courthouse is about two hours north of Fort Myers on I-75. That is a significant drive. Many Fort Myers attorneys file electronically through the CM/ECF system, which avoids the need to travel to Tampa for routine filings. Some meetings of creditors for Fort Myers cases are held at the local federal building to reduce travel for filers.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida |
|---|---|
| Division | Fort Myers (files at Tampa) |
| Tampa Address | 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Fort Myers Address | 2110 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (no staffed clerk) |
| Phone | (813) 301-5162 |
| Website | flmb.uscourts.gov |
Search Fort Myers Bankruptcy Records
You have three options for searching Fort Myers bankruptcy records. PACER is the most practical since the courthouse situation makes in-person visits less convenient. VCIS works by phone for free. And you can still use public terminals at the Tampa courthouse if you make the trip.
PACER is the federal electronic records system. It covers the Middle District of Florida and every other federal court. You need a free account. Search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Fees under $30 per quarter get waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all bankruptcy records are public. You do not need a reason to look them up.
The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Fort Myers bankruptcy cases at any hour. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and statuses. No account is needed. For Fort Myers residents especially, VCIS and PACER are the most convenient options since the local courthouse does not have a staffed clerk.
If you travel to the Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue, public terminals let you search and view Fort Myers bankruptcy records for free. Staff can help you find what you need. Bring a valid photo ID.
Filing Bankruptcy in Fort Myers
Fort Myers residents file at the Tampa Division, though the case may be assigned to the Fort Myers Division for hearings. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. It wipes out most unsecured debts. Chapter 13 costs $313 and creates a repayment plan over three to five years. If you cannot pay the full fee, the court can approve installment payments.
Credit counseling is a required step before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. Complete this within 180 days of your filing date. Gather your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets before you start the paperwork. Most Fort Myers attorneys file electronically, which simplifies the process.
Once you file, an automatic stay goes into effect under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. All collection actions stop. Creditors cannot call, sue, garnish wages, or foreclose while the stay is in place. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. For Fort Myers cases, this meeting may take place locally or in Tampa. The U.S. Courts website has all official forms.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge releases you from personal liability on most debts. Some debts are not dischargeable. Student loans, child support, alimony, and certain tax debts survive under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Fort Myers Bankruptcy Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Fort Myers. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is right for you and assist with paperwork. Florida Rural Legal Services also serves the Lee County area and helps with civil matters that may tie to bankruptcy.
The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service covering Fort Myers and Lee County. A small fee gets you a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in the area. Many Fort Myers lawyers give free first meetings. If you want to handle the case on your own, the Middle District court has pro se resources on its site with guides and forms.
Florida's unlimited homestead exemption can protect your primary residence from creditors, as long as the lot meets size limits. This is especially important for Fort Myers homeowners. A quick consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney can help you figure out how Florida exemptions apply to your home and other assets. Given the distance to the Tampa courthouse, having a local lawyer can also help with logistics.
Nearby Cities
These Florida cities are near Fort Myers. Each page has local bankruptcy court details and resources for that area.