West Palm Beach Bankruptcy Records
West Palm Beach bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The West Palm Beach Division serves Palm Beach County, and the federal courthouse is right in the city. With close to 128,000 residents, West Palm Beach is the county seat and the hub for all bankruptcy filings in the area. You can search records through PACER, call the VCIS phone line, or go to the courthouse in person. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records that may tie into bankruptcy matters.
West Palm Beach Quick Facts
Palm Beach County Clerk and Court Info
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County. The clerk is Joseph Abruzzo. The main office is at 301 North Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, so the county clerk does not process those cases. But the clerk's office keeps civil records that often connect to bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, foreclosure cases, and debt collection suits all run through the Palm Beach County system. If a West Palm Beach resident has local court matters tied to a bankruptcy, the clerk's records will show them.
Call the Palm Beach County Clerk at (561) 355-2996 for local record questions. The Palm Beach County Clerk website has online search tools for civil cases, recorded documents, and court calendars. You can look up cases by name or number at no cost. These are state court records, not federal bankruptcy files, but they fill in the picture around a case.
Below is the West Palm Beach city website at wpb.org, which has local services and resource links for residents.
The city site has contact info for local departments and links to county services that West Palm Beach residents may need during a bankruptcy.
| County Clerk | Joseph Abruzzo |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 North Olive Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
West Palm Beach Bankruptcy Courthouse
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida has its West Palm Beach Division at 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The phone number is (561) 514-4100. This courthouse handles all Palm Beach County bankruptcy cases. The Southern District court website has forms, local rules, and filing guides.
West Palm Beach is one of three main divisions in the Southern District. The others are in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Your division depends on your county. Since West Palm Beach is in Palm Beach County, all county residents file here. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. The courthouse sits along the Intracoastal Waterway in downtown West Palm Beach.
Hearings for West Palm Beach cases take place at this courthouse. Limited parking is on site, and there are garages nearby. Security screens all visitors. Bring photo ID. Public access terminals let you view case files at no charge. Staff at the clerk window help with copies and basic questions.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida |
|---|---|
| Division | West Palm Beach |
| Address | 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 514-4100 |
| Website | flsb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search West Palm Beach Bankruptcy Records
Three methods let you find bankruptcy records tied to West Palm Beach residents. PACER has the most detail. VCIS is a free phone check. And the courthouse has terminals for in-person use.
PACER is the federal court records system. Register for a free account. Then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER covers the full Southern District, so all West Palm Beach cases are there. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly bills under $30 are waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them.
The VCIS line is free and runs 24 hours. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check if a case exists, find out the case number, learn the chapter type, or get the current status. No account needed. This is a fast way to check on a West Palm Beach bankruptcy case when you just need the basics.
At the courthouse on North Flagler Drive, public terminals are on site. You can search and view West Palm Beach case documents for free. Staff at the clerk window can help you find records and make copies. Certified copies have an extra fee.
Filing for Bankruptcy in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach residents file at the local division courthouse on North Flagler Drive. That makes it convenient since the court is in the city. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. The court can let you pay in parts if the fee is too much at once. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, you submit financial documents with your petition, including tax returns, pay stubs, and a full accounting of debts and assets.
Before filing, you need credit counseling from an approved agency. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved providers for the Southern District. This step is required by law. You also need to take a financial management course after filing but before you get a discharge. Both courses can be done online or by phone.
The moment you file, the automatic stay begins. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, creditors must halt all collection activity. No calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, or foreclosure actions while the stay is active. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days out. Official forms are at the U.S. Courts forms page.
A Chapter 7 case in West Palm Beach generally wraps up in three to four months. Chapter 13 plans run three to five years under the payment schedule. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, the discharge clears personal liability for qualifying debts. Certain debts survive, though. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, recent taxes, and most student loans are not dischargeable.
West Palm Beach Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income residents across the state. West Palm Beach residents can get advice on whether bankruptcy is right for their situation. Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County also covers the area and may help qualifying individuals with civil legal matters including debt issues.
The Florida Bar runs a referral service that connects you with local bankruptcy attorneys. A small fee covers the initial consultation. For those who file on their own, the Southern District court website has pro se resources, filing checklists, and sample forms. The Palm Beach County Law Library has materials on bankruptcy law and staff who can help you find what you need.
Call (561) 514-4100 with general questions about the West Palm Beach Division. Clerk staff can explain court procedures but are not able to give legal advice. They will tell you what forms to file and how to submit them.
Palm Beach County Bankruptcy Records
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County. All bankruptcy filings go through the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. For a full look at the county court system, fees, local civil records, and other resources, visit the Palm Beach County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near West Palm Beach. Each page covers local court details and filing resources for bankruptcy.