Access Homestead Bankruptcy Records

Homestead bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. Sitting at the southern end of Miami-Dade County, Homestead residents file their cases at the federal courthouse in downtown Miami. These records are public under federal law. You can search them online through PACER, call the VCIS phone line for basic case details, or visit the Miami courthouse in person. The Miami-Dade County Clerk also keeps civil records that may be connected to local bankruptcy filings.

Homestead Bankruptcy Court and County

Homestead is in Miami-Dade County. All bankruptcy filings from Homestead residents go to the Southern District of Florida. The Miami Division handles Miami-Dade County cases. The courthouse is at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150, Miami, FL 33128. Call (305) 714-1800 for general court questions. The drive from Homestead to downtown Miami takes about 40 minutes without heavy traffic, though rush hour can add time.

The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court has divisions in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Homestead falls under the Miami Division because it is in Miami-Dade County. Your case will be assigned to a judge in that division and all hearings take place at the Miami courthouse. The court posts local rules, filing guides, and hearing calendars on its website.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file bankruptcy. Homestead is in Miami-Dade County, which is part of the Southern District. Filing happens at the Miami Division.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. While bankruptcy is federal, the county clerk keeps civil records that frequently overlap with bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection actions all pass through the Miami-Dade Clerk's office. If a creditor has taken legal action against you locally, or if court cases are tied to debts you want to include in bankruptcy, those records live with the clerk.

Reach the Miami-Dade County Clerk at (305) 275-1155. The Miami-Dade County Clerk website provides online tools to search civil cases, recorded documents, and dockets. These are not bankruptcy records themselves. But they can reveal related matters like a foreclosure that might be paused by your filing, or a judgment lien that a bankruptcy trustee needs to address.

The Homestead city government website is shown below, which offers local resources and community services for residents.

From the Homestead city site, you can find contact details for local offices and programs that may help residents going through financial difficulty.

Search Homestead Bankruptcy Cases

You can search Homestead bankruptcy records three ways. PACER is the most complete option. VCIS by phone is free and quick. And you can go to the Miami courthouse to look at files in person.

PACER is the federal court electronic records system. It includes all bankruptcy courts in the Southern District of Florida. Create a free account, then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If you use less than $30 in a quarter, the fees get waived. Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Anyone can look them up.

The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) is a free phone service. Dial 1-866-222-8029 to check on cases in the Southern District. The system runs all day, every day. It provides the case number, filing date, chapter, and status. No account is required. This is useful when you need a fast check on whether a Homestead resident has a bankruptcy case on file.

You can also visit the Miami Division courthouse at 301 North Miami Avenue. Public access terminals let you search and view case files for free. Bring a valid photo ID. Courthouse staff can help you locate specific filings or documents. Factor in the drive from Homestead to Miami when planning your trip.

Filing Bankruptcy in Homestead

Homestead residents most commonly file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file and eliminates most unsecured debts. Some property may need to be turned over. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a repayment plan for three to five years. The court can let you pay the filing fee in parts if you show financial hardship. A full fee waiver may be possible for qualifying Chapter 7 filers.

You must finish credit counseling from an approved agency before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has the approved list for the Southern District. This must happen within 180 days before your petition date. Collect pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a thorough list of all debts and assets. File everything with the Miami Division court. Official bankruptcy forms are at the U.S. Courts website.

After filing, an automatic stay starts under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must stop calling, suing, garnishing wages, and pursuing foreclosure. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days out. Homestead residents attend hearings at the Miami courthouse, though some may be conducted by phone.

Homestead Bankruptcy Legal Help

Florida Legal Services offers free legal assistance to low-income people statewide. They can help Homestead residents figure out whether filing makes sense and walk them through the paperwork. Legal Services of Greater Miami also covers the Homestead area and handles civil matters related to debt.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service for Miami-Dade County. Pay a small fee and get a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. Plenty of Miami-area lawyers offer free first meetings. If you want to go it alone, the Southern District court has pro se guides and sample forms on its website. Filing pro se means you handle the case yourself, without an attorney.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge wipes out personal liability on most debts. Not all debts qualify though. Student loans, child support, alimony, and certain tax debts survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. It is worth talking to a lawyer so you know which debts will be cleared and which stay with you after your Homestead case wraps up.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Homestead. Each has its own page with bankruptcy court information and local resources.