Find Hialeah Bankruptcy Records

Hialeah bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. Hialeah is the sixth-largest city in Florida and sits within Miami-Dade County. All bankruptcy cases from Hialeah go to the same Miami courthouse that serves the rest of the county. These records are public. You can search them online through PACER, by phone with VCIS, or in person at the Miami Division clerk's office. The Miami-Dade County Clerk also maintains local civil records that may relate to bankruptcy filings from Hialeah residents.

Hialeah Bankruptcy Court and County

Hialeah is part of Miami-Dade County. Bankruptcy filings from Hialeah residents go to the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The courthouse is at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150, Miami, FL 33128. Call (305) 714-1800 for court information. The Southern District bankruptcy court website has local rules, filing instructions, and all required forms.

The Miami Division handles cases from Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Hialeah is northwest of downtown Miami, so the drive to the courthouse is fairly short for most residents. The Southern District is one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in the country. Multiple judges sit in the Miami Division. Hearings, meetings of creditors, and all court proceedings for Hialeah cases take place at the North Miami Avenue courthouse.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, a debtor must live in the district or have a business there. Hialeah residents are in the Southern District and file through the Miami Division.

Miami-Dade County Clerk

The Miami-Dade County Clerk is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. The office is at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Bankruptcy cases go through federal court, but the county clerk keeps local civil records that often relate to bankruptcy matters. Judgments, liens, foreclosures, and debt collection suits filed in Miami-Dade County all pass through this office. When a Hialeah resident files for bankruptcy, there may be connected state court actions in the clerk's system.

Reach the clerk at (305) 275-1155. The Miami-Dade County Clerk website lets you search civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are not bankruptcy files. They are state court records. But they fill in the picture when a Hialeah debtor has local lawsuits or liens that get affected by a federal bankruptcy stay.

The screenshot below shows the Hialeah city government website at hialeahfl.gov.

The city site has links to local services and community programs that Hialeah residents may find useful.

How to Search Hialeah Bankruptcy Records

Three methods exist for finding Hialeah bankruptcy records. PACER is the quickest online tool. VCIS works by phone. And you can go to the Miami courthouse in person.

PACER covers all federal courts, including the Southern District of Florida. Set up a free account, then search Hialeah cases by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If you spend less than $30 in a quarter, the fees are waived. Bankruptcy filings are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. You do not need a reason to look them up.

VCIS is a free phone line. Dial 1-866-222-8029 for automated case info. The system tells you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. It runs all day, every day. No account is needed. VCIS is the fastest way to check if a Hialeah resident has a bankruptcy case on file in the Southern District.

You can also visit the courthouse at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150. Public access terminals in the clerk's office let you search and view case files for free. Bring a valid photo ID. Court staff can help you locate documents from a specific Hialeah bankruptcy filing.

Hialeah Bankruptcy Filing

Hialeah residents file bankruptcy at the Miami Division. Chapter 7 is the most common type and costs $338. It eliminates most unsecured debts but may require you to give up non-exempt property. Chapter 13 costs $313 and creates a repayment plan over three to five years. The court allows installment payments on the fee. Some Chapter 7 filers with very low income may have the fee waived entirely.

Credit counseling is required before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Southern 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 everything you owe and own. All official forms are on the U.S. Courts website.

Once filed, the automatic stay begins under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must stop calling, suing, and garnishing wages. Foreclosure actions are paused. A meeting of creditors is set about 30 to 45 days after you file. Some debts survive bankruptcy. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, alimony, and most student loans cannot be discharged.

Hialeah Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services offers free legal assistance to low-income residents statewide. Hialeah residents can get help with bankruptcy questions, document preparation, and referrals to local attorneys. Legal Services of Greater Miami also serves the area and handles civil legal matters for qualifying individuals. Many Hialeah residents speak Spanish as a first language, and several local legal aid groups offer bilingual services.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral program. For a small fee, you get a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney who works in the Miami area. Many local lawyers offer free first meetings. If you go the pro se route, the Southern District court website has guides and forms. A discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 wipes out personal liability on most qualifying debts. Getting professional advice before you file is worth the time, especially if your financial situation involves property, a business, or mixed debts.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Hialeah. Each page has local bankruptcy court info and resources.