Lauderhill Bankruptcy Records

Lauderhill bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. This Broward County city sits just west of Fort Lauderdale, and residents file their cases at the federal courthouse nearby. All bankruptcy filings are public records under federal law. You can search them online via PACER, by calling the VCIS phone line, or by visiting the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse in person. The Broward County Clerk of Court also maintains civil records that may relate to local bankruptcy cases.

Lauderhill Court and County Information

Lauderhill is in Broward County. Bankruptcy cases from Lauderhill residents go to the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. The courthouse is at 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. You can call (954) 769-5700 for general court questions. Lauderhill is close to Fort Lauderdale, so the drive to the courthouse is usually 15 minutes or less.

The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court has divisions in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Broward County falls under the Fort Lauderdale Division. Cases from Lauderhill residents stay in that division from start to finish. A bankruptcy judge assigned to Fort Lauderdale handles all hearings and motions. The court website has local rules, filing procedures, and hearing calendars you can check before visiting.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there. Lauderhill sits in Broward County, part of the Southern District, so filing goes through the Fort Lauderdale Division.

Broward County Clerk of Court

Brenda D. Forman serves as the Broward County Clerk of Court. While bankruptcy is a federal matter, the county clerk manages civil records that frequently tie to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection suits all go through the Broward County Clerk's office. If creditors have taken legal steps against you in Broward County, or if local court cases are connected to debts you want to include in bankruptcy, the clerk holds those files.

Contact the Broward County Clerk at (954) 831-6565. The Broward County Clerk website offers online search tools for civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are county-level records, not federal bankruptcy files. But they often reveal related matters. A debt collection judgment, for instance, might appear in the county records while the bankruptcy that stops it from being enforced shows up in the federal system.

Below is the Broward County Clerk of Court website, which Lauderhill residents can use to search county-level civil records.

From the clerk's website, you can search civil cases, look up recorded documents, and check court dockets for matters related to Lauderhill bankruptcy filings.

Search Lauderhill Bankruptcy Cases

You can search Lauderhill bankruptcy records three ways. PACER is the most thorough. VCIS by phone costs nothing. And you can go to the Fort Lauderdale courthouse for in-person access.

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. The cost is $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly use stays under $30, no fees apply. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them for any reason.

The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) is free to use. Dial 1-866-222-8029 at any hour. The automated system provides the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. No account is needed. VCIS works well for a quick check on whether a Lauderhill resident has a bankruptcy case on file.

You can also visit the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse at 299 East Broward Blvd. Public access terminals let you search and view case files at no charge. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's office staff can help you find specific documents from Lauderhill cases. The short drive from Lauderhill makes this a convenient option for many residents.

Filing Bankruptcy in Lauderhill

Lauderhill residents most often file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs $338 and wipes out most unsecured debts. You may need to turn over some property. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a payment plan for three to five years. The court can allow installment payments on the fee if you cannot pay it all at once. Some Chapter 7 filers qualify for a full fee waiver.

Before you file, credit counseling from an approved agency is required by law. The U.S. Department of Justice has the approved list for the Southern District. Complete this within 180 days before your filing date. Gather pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets. All paperwork goes to the Fort Lauderdale Division. Official forms are at the U.S. Courts website.

Once filed, the automatic stay kicks in under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops creditor calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and foreclosure actions. The court schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. Lauderhill residents attend these at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, though phone appearances may be allowed in some cases.

Lauderhill Bankruptcy Legal Help

Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income individuals statewide. They can advise Lauderhill residents on whether filing is the right choice and assist with the paperwork. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida also serves Broward County and may help with civil matters tied to debt.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service for the Broward County area. A small fee gets you a meeting with a local bankruptcy attorney who handles Fort Lauderdale Division cases. Many lawyers also give free first consultations. If you want to go through the process without a lawyer, the Southern District court has pro se resources on its website. Filing pro se means you handle your own case.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge removes personal liability for most debts. But not all debts can be wiped out. Student loans, child support, alimony, and certain tax debts survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. Getting legal advice early can help you understand which debts will be cleared in your Lauderhill case and which ones will remain. Even one meeting with a lawyer can change how you approach the whole process.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Lauderhill. Each page has local bankruptcy court details and legal resources.