Palm Bay Bankruptcy Records

Palm Bay bankruptcy records go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Orlando Division handles all filings from Brevard County, where Palm Bay is located. With about 142,000 residents, Palm Bay is the largest city in Brevard County. You can search these records online through PACER, by phone using VCIS, or at the federal courthouse in Orlando. The Brevard County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that sometimes relate to bankruptcy filings from Palm Bay residents.

Brevard County Clerk and Court Info

Palm Bay is in Brevard County. The clerk is Rachel M. Sadoff. The clerk's mailing address is P.O Box 219, Titusville, FL 32781. Bankruptcy filings are federal matters, so the county clerk does not handle them. But the clerk's office keeps civil records that can relate to a bankruptcy case. Judgment liens, foreclosure actions, and debt lawsuits filed in Brevard County are all in the county system. These records can help you see the full financial picture for a Palm Bay resident.

Call the Brevard County Clerk at (321) 637-5413 for local record questions. The Brevard County Clerk website has tools to search civil case records, recorded documents, and court calendars online. You can look up cases by name or number at no charge. These are state court records, not federal bankruptcy files, but they add useful context.

The Brevard County Clerk of Court website is shown below at brevardclerk.us, where you can search local court records tied to Palm Bay residents.

From the clerk site, you can search civil cases, look up recorded liens, and find court schedules for Brevard County including Palm Bay.

Palm Bay Bankruptcy Courthouse

Palm Bay residents file bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. The courthouse is at 400 W. Washington Street, Suite 5100, Orlando, FL 32801. The phone number is (407) 237-8000. The Middle District court website has forms, local rules, and filing guides.

The drive from Palm Bay to the Orlando courthouse is roughly 70 to 80 miles, about an hour and a half depending on traffic. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must reside in the district or have property there. Palm Bay is in the Middle District, so residents file at the Orlando Division. The Middle District also has divisions in Tampa and Jacksonville, but Brevard County cases go to Orlando.

Hearings for Palm Bay bankruptcy cases are at the Orlando courthouse. Much of the process can be handled by mail or electronically, though. The meeting of creditors and any court hearings do require a trip to Orlando. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search case files for free. Bring a valid photo ID.

How to Search Palm Bay Bankruptcy Records

You have three main ways to search for bankruptcy records tied to Palm Bay. PACER gives the most detail. VCIS works for fast checks by phone. And the Orlando courthouse has free public terminals.

PACER is the federal court electronic records system. Sign up for a free account and search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER covers the entire Middle District of Florida, so all Palm Bay cases are in the system. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your quarterly total stays under $30, you pay nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public and anyone can search them.

The VCIS phone line is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The system can tell you whether a case exists, the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. No account required. It is a good first step when you want to check if someone in Palm Bay has filed.

At the Orlando courthouse, public terminals let you search and view documents for free. Staff at the clerk window can help you locate specific Palm Bay case records and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Palm Bay

Palm Bay residents file at the Orlando Division of the Middle District. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. The court may allow installment payments if you show financial need. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, you must provide your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets with the petition.

Before you file, credit counseling from an approved provider is required. The U.S. Department of Justice has the list of approved agencies for the Middle District. You need the certificate to submit your case. After filing, a financial management course is also required before you can get a discharge. Both courses can usually be done online.

When you file, the automatic stay takes effect. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, all collection activity stops. No more calls, lawsuits, garnishments, or foreclosure moves against Palm Bay residents while the case is open. The court schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. Official forms are at the U.S. Courts forms page.

A Chapter 7 case for a Palm Bay resident usually wraps up in three to four months. Chapter 13 plans run three to five years. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, the discharge clears personal liability for qualifying debts. Some debts cannot be discharged. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, recent taxes, and most student loans survive bankruptcy.

Palm Bay Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services helps low-income residents across the state, including Palm Bay. They can advise on bankruptcy and help with forms. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida also covers Brevard County and may provide assistance to qualifying Palm Bay residents.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, you get a first meeting with a bankruptcy attorney who handles Middle District cases. Palm Bay residents who file on their own can use pro se resources on the Middle District court website. These include filing guides, sample forms, and checklists. The Brevard County Law Library has legal materials that may help as well.

For general questions about court procedures, call (407) 237-8000. The clerk staff can explain filing steps but cannot offer legal advice. They will tell you which forms you need and how to submit them for Palm Bay cases.

Brevard County Bankruptcy Records

Palm Bay is in Brevard County, and all bankruptcy filings go through the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. For more on the county court system, local civil records, fee schedules, and other resources, visit the Brevard County page.

View Brevard County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Palm Bay. Each page has local court details and resources for bankruptcy filings.