Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy Filings

Port St. Lucie bankruptcy records are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. Port St. Lucie is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, and it sits in St. Lucie County on the Treasure Coast. Bankruptcy filings from this area are public records. The West Palm Beach courthouse processes all new petitions and maintains case files. You can search these records online through PACER, by phone using VCIS, or in person at the clerk's office. The St. Lucie County Clerk also keeps local civil records that can relate to federal bankruptcy cases.

Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy Court

Port St. Lucie is in St. Lucie County. All bankruptcy filings from Port St. Lucie residents go to the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. The courthouse is at 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Call (561) 514-4100 for court info. The Southern District bankruptcy court website posts local rules, filing procedures, and court forms.

The West Palm Beach Division covers St. Lucie County along with several other Treasure Coast and Palm Beach area counties. Port St. Lucie residents need to travel to West Palm Beach for hearings, meetings of creditors, and any in-person court business. The drive is roughly an hour south on I-95. The Southern District also has divisions in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but St. Lucie County falls under the West Palm Beach Division specifically.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, filers must live in the district or have property there. Port St. Lucie is in the Southern District, so residents use the West Palm Beach Division.

St. Lucie County Clerk of Court

The St. Lucie County Clerk of Court is Sandra S. Parks. The mailing address is P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954. Bankruptcy is a federal process, but the county clerk holds local civil records that may overlap with bankruptcy matters. Judgments, liens, foreclosures, and debt collection cases filed in St. Lucie County all come through this office. When a Port St. Lucie resident files for bankruptcy, related state court actions are often found in the clerk's records.

Call (772) 462-6900 to contact the clerk's office. The St. Lucie County Clerk website has online search tools for civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are state records, not federal bankruptcy files. But they can show you the broader picture of a debtor's legal activity in St. Lucie County.

Below is a screenshot of the Port St. Lucie city government website, available at cityofpsl.com.

The city site links to local services and community resources for Port St. Lucie residents.

Search Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy Records

You have three options to search Port St. Lucie bankruptcy records. PACER is the fastest online tool. VCIS gives basic info by phone. And the West Palm Beach courthouse has public access terminals.

PACER is the federal court electronic records system. Sign up for a free account and search cases in the Southern District of Florida by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER costs $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. Fees under $30 per quarter are waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all bankruptcy filings are public. Anyone can search them.

VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 for free automated case data. The system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and current case status. It operates 24 hours a day. No registration required. VCIS works well for a quick check on whether a Port St. Lucie resident has a bankruptcy case on file.

In person, visit the courthouse at 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach. Public terminals in the clerk's office let you search and view case files at no cost. Bring a photo ID. Staff can help with specific documents or older cases from Port St. Lucie filers.

Filing Bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie residents file at the West Palm Beach Division. Chapter 7 is the most common option and costs $338. It eliminates most unsecured debts. Chapter 13 costs $313 and puts you on a repayment plan lasting three to five years. You can request installment payments if the fee is a hardship. Chapter 7 filers with very low income may qualify for a waiver.

Credit counseling is a requirement before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has the list of approved agencies for the Southern District. This must be completed within 180 days of your petition date. You need to collect your tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets. The U.S. Courts website has the forms.

Filing activates the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. All collection efforts must stop. Creditors cannot call you, garnish your wages, or proceed with foreclosure while the stay is active. A meeting of creditors is scheduled roughly 30 to 45 days after your petition is filed. Some debts, like child support and student loans, are not dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Legal Resources in Port St. Lucie

Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents statewide. Port St. Lucie residents can get assistance with bankruptcy questions and paperwork. Legal Aid Society of the Palm Beaches also serves the Treasure Coast area and may help with civil matters related to debt and bankruptcy for those who qualify.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service that connects you with a bankruptcy attorney. For a small fee, you get a consultation with someone who handles cases in the West Palm Beach Division. Many local attorneys offer free initial meetings too. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge eliminates personal liability on most qualifying debts. Even if you plan to file pro se, a brief chat with a lawyer can help you understand your options and avoid errors.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Port St. Lucie. Each page covers local bankruptcy court details and resources.