Access Miramar Bankruptcy Records

Miramar bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division serves Broward County, where Miramar is located. About 143,000 people call Miramar home, making it one of the larger cities in the county. You can search these records through PACER online, use the free VCIS phone line, or visit the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The Broward County Clerk of Court holds related civil records that may connect to bankruptcy matters in Miramar.

Broward County Clerk and Court Info

Miramar is in Broward County. The county clerk is Brenda D. Forman. While bankruptcy is handled at the federal level, the Broward County Clerk keeps civil court records that can tie into a bankruptcy filing. Judgment liens, foreclosures, and small claims debt cases all pass through the county system. These records can provide useful context on the financial picture of a Miramar resident who has filed for bankruptcy.

Reach the Broward County Clerk at (954) 831-6565. The Broward County Clerk website has online search tools for civil case records and recorded documents. You can search by name or case number at no cost. These are county-level records, not federal bankruptcy files, but they help piece together the full story when looking into a Miramar case.

Below is the Broward County Clerk portal at browardclerk.org, where you can search local civil records related to Miramar residents.

From the clerk site you can search case files, look up recorded documents, and check court calendars that cover all of Broward County including Miramar.

Miramar Bankruptcy Courthouse

Miramar residents file bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale. The courthouse is at 299 East Broward Boulevard, Room 112, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 769-5700 for information. The Fort Lauderdale Division of the Southern District handles all Broward County cases.

Getting to the courthouse from Miramar takes about 25 to 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic and which part of Miramar you start from. The Southern District court website has local rules, forms, and filing guides. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there. Miramar is in the Southern District, so residents file at Fort Lauderdale.

All hearings for Miramar bankruptcy cases take place at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. Security checks visitors at the entrance. Bring photo ID. Public terminals inside the courthouse let you search and view case files at no charge.

How to Search Miramar Bankruptcy Records

Three main options let you search for bankruptcy records tied to Miramar residents. PACER works best for detailed searches. VCIS is a free phone service for basic case facts. And in-person visits give you access to full case files.

PACER is the federal electronic records system. You need a free account to search. Once logged in, search by name, case number, or Social Security number to find Miramar cases. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly totals under $30 are free. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records open to anyone.

VCIS is the phone option. Call 1-866-222-8029 any hour, any day. The automated system gives you case numbers, filing dates, the chapter filed, and current case status. No account needed. It works well for quick checks on a Miramar case without going online.

You can also go to the Fort Lauderdale courthouse in person. Free public terminals let you search and view Miramar case documents. The clerk window staff can help you find what you need and make copies from the file.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Miramar

Miramar residents file at the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 costs $313. If you cannot pay the full fee, the court may let you pay in installments. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, the debtor must provide detailed financial records with the petition, including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and lists of all debts and assets.

You must complete credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved providers for the Southern District. Without that certificate, the court will reject your petition. A second financial management course is needed after filing but before you can receive a discharge.

The automatic stay kicks in when you file. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, creditors cannot call, sue, garnish wages, or take other collection steps. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after you file. You can get all official forms from the U.S. Courts website.

Chapter 7 cases for Miramar residents usually finish in three to four months. Chapter 13 plans run three to five years. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, the discharge ends personal liability for most debts. Some debts survive. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, recent tax debts, and most student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.

Miramar Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income residents statewide, including Miramar. They advise on whether bankruptcy is the right step and can help with paperwork. The Broward County Legal Aid office also serves Miramar residents who meet income guidelines.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service that covers Miramar. A small fee gets you a first meeting with a bankruptcy attorney. If you want to go it alone, the Southern District court website has pro se resources. These include filing checklists, guides, and sample forms. The Broward County Law Library has bankruptcy materials and helpful staff.

For court procedure questions, call (954) 769-5700. Clerk staff can explain the filing process but are not allowed to give legal advice. They can point you to the right forms and tell you where to send them for Miramar cases.

Broward County Bankruptcy Records

Miramar is in Broward County, and all bankruptcy filings go to the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. For a broader view of the county court system, fees, related civil records, and other resources, check the Broward County page.

View Broward County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Miramar. All file through the Southern District of Florida. Each has its own page with local details.