Hollywood Bankruptcy Records Lookup
Hollywood bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division serves all of Broward County, including Hollywood. With around 159,000 people, Hollywood is the third largest city in Broward County. Residents can search bankruptcy records through PACER, call the VCIS phone line for quick case checks, or visit the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The Broward County Clerk of Court keeps local civil case records that may tie into bankruptcy filings from Hollywood.
Hollywood Quick Facts
Broward County Clerk and Court Info
Hollywood sits in Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. Bankruptcy cases are federal, so the county clerk does not process them. However, the clerk's office holds civil records that can connect to a bankruptcy filing. Liens, foreclosure cases, and debt collection suits filed in Broward County all show up in the clerk's system. If a Hollywood resident has local court matters tied to a bankruptcy, this is where you find them.
Call the clerk's office at (954) 831-6565 for help. The Broward County Clerk website lets you search civil case records online. You can look up cases by name or case number for free. These are county-level records, not federal bankruptcy files, but they can give you useful background on a Hollywood resident's financial situation.
Below is the Hollywood city government website at hollywoodfl.org, which includes local resources and service links for residents.
The city site has contact info for local departments and links to Broward County services that Hollywood residents may need during a bankruptcy case.
| County Clerk | Brenda D. Forman |
|---|---|
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
Hollywood Bankruptcy Courthouse
Hollywood residents file bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale. The address is 299 East Broward Boulevard, Room 112, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 769-5700 for court information. This is the Fort Lauderdale Division of the Southern District of Florida, and it handles every bankruptcy case from Broward County.
The courthouse is about 15 to 20 minutes from Hollywood by car, depending on traffic. The Southern District court website posts local rules, forms, and filing instructions. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there. Hollywood is squarely in the Southern District, so residents file at the Fort Lauderdale Division.
Hearings for Hollywood cases are held at this courthouse. Security checks everyone at the door. Bring a photo ID. Public terminals inside let you search and view case files at no charge. If you need document copies, ask at the clerk window about current fees.
| 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 |
How to Search Hollywood Bankruptcy Records
Three main ways exist to search for bankruptcy records tied to Hollywood. PACER gives the most detail. VCIS is free and fast for basic checks. And the courthouse has terminals for in-person searches.
PACER is the federal court records system. Create a free account, then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. It covers the full Southern District, so all Hollywood cases are in there. The fee is $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your bill is under $30 per quarter, they waive the charges. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public and open to anyone.
VCIS is the phone option. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The automated line tells you if a case exists, what chapter was filed, and the current status. You do not need to create an account. It is useful for quick checks on Hollywood cases.
At the courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, free public terminals are on the first floor. You can search and view case documents without paying anything. Staff at the clerk window can help you find specific records from Hollywood cases and make copies if you need them.
Filing for Bankruptcy in Hollywood
Hollywood residents who need to file bankruptcy do so at the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. The court can let you pay in parts if the cost is too much at once. You must file your petition, schedules, and financial documents all together. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, the debtor must provide complete financial information.
Before filing, Hollywood residents must complete credit counseling. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Southern District. Without this certificate, the court will not accept your case. A second course on managing money is needed before discharge.
Filing triggers the automatic stay. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, all collection activity must stop. Creditors can no longer call, sue, or garnish wages. The stay lasts until the case closes or the court lifts it. A meeting of creditors is set about 30 to 45 days after filing. All official forms are at the U.S. Courts website.
Chapter 7 cases from Hollywood typically close in three to four months. Chapter 13 plans run three to five years. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, the discharge wipes out personal liability for most debts. Some debts do not go away. Child support, most student loans, and recent tax debts survive under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Hollywood Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services offers free help to low-income people statewide, including Hollywood. They can advise on whether bankruptcy makes sense for your situation and help with forms. The Broward County Legal Aid office also provides assistance to qualifying Hollywood residents.
The Florida Bar has a referral service that connects you with local bankruptcy attorneys. For a small fee, you get a first meeting to discuss your case. Hollywood residents who file on their own can use the pro se materials on the Southern District court website. These include filing guides, checklists, and sample forms.
The Broward County Law Library in Fort Lauderdale has bankruptcy books and forms. Staff there can point you in the right direction. For court procedure questions, call (954) 769-5700. The clerk's office answers general questions about how to file but cannot give legal advice to Hollywood residents.
Broward County Bankruptcy Records
Hollywood is in Broward County. All bankruptcy filings from Hollywood go through the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. For a broader view of the county court system, fees, related records, and legal resources, check the Broward County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Hollywood and file bankruptcy through the Southern District of Florida. Each page has local details and resources.