Sunrise Bankruptcy Records

Sunrise bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. Sunrise is a city of about 100,000 in western Broward County, just north of Plantation and west of Fort Lauderdale. All bankruptcy filings from Sunrise are public records under federal law. You can search them online through PACER, by phone with VCIS, or in person at the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse. The Broward County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that may connect to Sunrise bankruptcy cases.

Sunrise Bankruptcy Court and County

Sunrise is in Broward County. All bankruptcy filings from the city go to the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. The federal courthouse is at 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 769-5700 for information about filing or case status.

The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court has divisions in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Sunrise residents use the Fort Lauderdale Division because the city is in Broward County. Hearings and meetings of creditors take place at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, which is about 12 miles east of Sunrise.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file for bankruptcy. Sunrise falls within the Southern District. The court posts local rules, fee schedules, and filing instructions on its site.

Broward County Clerk of Court

The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. While bankruptcy is a federal matter, the county clerk handles civil records that often relate to bankruptcy cases. Judgments, liens, foreclosure actions, and debt collection suits involving Sunrise residents all pass through this office.

Reach the clerk at (954) 831-6565. The Broward County Clerk website has online search tools for civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are state court records. They are not the same as federal bankruptcy filings. But they can show related matters like a foreclosure halted by a bankruptcy stay or a judgment lien filed against a Sunrise resident.

The image below shows the Broward County Clerk of Court website, which handles civil case records for Sunrise residents at browardclerk.org.

You can use the clerk site to look up civil cases, view recorded documents, and check court dockets for matters in Broward County that may relate to Sunrise bankruptcy filings.

Sunrise Bankruptcy Courthouse

There is no federal courthouse in Sunrise. Residents travel to the Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse on East Broward Boulevard for bankruptcy matters. The drive is about 20 minutes east, depending on traffic. Broward County Transit bus routes serve the area near the courthouse.

All parts of the bankruptcy process for Sunrise residents happen at the Fort Lauderdale location. You file the petition, go to the meeting of creditors, and attend hearings there. Parking lots and garages are nearby. Security screens everyone who enters, so arrive a few minutes early. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card.

Search Sunrise Bankruptcy Records Online

Three methods let you search Sunrise bankruptcy records. PACER is the best for online research. VCIS is free by phone. And you can visit the Fort Lauderdale courthouse to use public terminals.

PACER covers all federal courts, including the Southern District of Florida. Sign up for a free account. Then you can search by name, case number, or Social Security number. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If you stay under $30 in a quarter, fees are waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records that anyone can search.

Call VCIS at 1-866-222-8029 any time of day or night. The automated system gives you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status for free. No account is required. It is the quickest way to check if a Sunrise resident has an active or closed bankruptcy case.

At the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, public access terminals let you search and read Sunrise bankruptcy files at no charge. The clerk's office staff can help you find specific documents. Bring a photo ID. You can also request copies of court filings while you are there.

Filing Bankruptcy in Sunrise

Sunrise residents file bankruptcy at the Fort Lauderdale Division. Chapter 7 costs $338. It eliminates most unsecured debts but may require you to surrender certain property. Chapter 13 costs $313. It sets up a repayment plan that runs three to five years. The court can allow installment payments on the filing fee if you demonstrate financial need.

Before filing, credit counseling from an approved agency is required. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains the approved list for the Southern District. Complete it within 180 days before filing. You also need to assemble your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets.

Filing your petition triggers an automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must immediately stop all collection efforts. No phone calls, no lawsuits, no wage garnishment, no foreclosure activity while the stay holds. The court schedules a meeting of creditors around 30 to 45 days out from the filing date. All official forms are at the U.S. Courts website.

A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 frees you from personal liability on qualifying debts. Not all debts can be discharged. Child support, alimony, student loans, and some tax debts survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Sunrise Bankruptcy Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income residents statewide, including Sunrise. They can help determine if bankruptcy is your best option and guide you through the paperwork. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida serves Broward County as well and may help with bankruptcy-related civil issues.

The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service for Sunrise and all of Broward County. Pay a small fee for a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. Many lawyers near Fort Lauderdale handle Sunrise cases and offer free initial consultations. If you want to file without a lawyer, the Southern District court posts pro se guides on its website that walk you through each step of the process.

Florida's homestead exemption can shield your primary home from creditors in bankruptcy, with no limit on the home's value as long as the lot meets size requirements. For Sunrise residents, this is an important protection to understand. A brief meeting with an attorney before filing can help you maximize the exemptions available to you under Florida law.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Sunrise. Each has its own page with local bankruptcy court details and legal resources.