Citrus County Bankruptcy Records

Citrus County bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division processes all filings from Citrus County residents. Located in the Nature Coast region with Inverness as its county seat, Citrus County is a smaller community where many residents face the same financial pressures found across the state. You can search these records online through PACER or call the free VCIS phone line. The Citrus County Clerk of Court maintains related civil records that can connect to local bankruptcy cases. This guide walks you through each option for finding what you need.

Citrus County Clerk of Court

Angela Vick serves as the Citrus County Clerk of Court. The office is at 110 N. Apopka Ave. in Inverness. Bankruptcy cases are federal, but the clerk handles local civil records that often tie to bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, and foreclosure cases all pass through this office. When a creditor files a claim in Citrus County or a debtor has pending local cases, the clerk's records can provide useful context.

You can reach the Citrus County Clerk at (352) 341-6424 during regular business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can assist you in finding civil case records and point you toward the right office for federal bankruptcy filings. The Citrus County Clerk website has tools for looking up local court records online. These are not bankruptcy case files, but they can show you related matters like debt collection suits, mortgage foreclosures, and judgment liens filed in Citrus County. The site is also a good place to check recording fees and request copies of documents.

Here is a screenshot of the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court homepage, which serves Citrus County residents filing for bankruptcy through the Tampa Division. You can visit the court site at flmb.uscourts.gov.

The court website has filing information, local rules, and forms that apply to Citrus County bankruptcy cases in the Tampa Division.

Citrus County Bankruptcy Court

Bankruptcy cases from Citrus County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division handles all filings from this area. The courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. You can call (813) 301-5162 for general questions about court operations. The Middle District bankruptcy court website has forms, local rules, and filing guides.

Federal bankruptcy courts are separate from state courts. The Citrus County Clerk does not process bankruptcy petitions at all. All filings go straight to the federal court in Tampa. A bankruptcy trustee gets assigned to each case once it is filed. Hearings take place at the Tampa courthouse for Citrus County residents. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there to file. Since Citrus County falls in the Middle District, residents file at the Tampa Division.

The Middle District of Florida also has divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers that serve other parts of the state.

Search Citrus County Bankruptcy Records

You have three main ways to search for bankruptcy records tied to Citrus County. PACER is the quickest option. The VCIS phone line gives you basic case info for free. You can also go to the Tampa courthouse in person.

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. To search Citrus County bankruptcy records on PACER, you need a free account. Once you log in, you can look up cases by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents you view, with a cap of $3.00 per document. If your quarterly total stays under $30, there is no charge. Most basic searches cost very little. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records that anyone can search.

The Voice Case Information System, or VCIS, is a free phone service. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Citrus County bankruptcy cases. The system can tell you if a case exists, give you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No account is needed. VCIS is a solid option when you just need a quick status check.

You can also visit the courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue in Tampa. Public access terminals let you search and view Citrus County bankruptcy case files for free. Bring a valid ID. The clerk's office can help if you need copies of documents from a specific case.

Filing Bankruptcy in Citrus County

Citrus County residents who need to file for bankruptcy have a few choices. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common for individuals. Chapter 7 wipes out most debts. You may have to give up some property. Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan that lasts three to five years. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can ask the court to let you pay in installments if you cannot cover the full fee at once.

Before filing in Citrus County, you must complete credit counseling from an approved agency. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps a list of approved providers for the Middle District of Florida. This step is required by law. You also need to gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of debts and assets. The petition and schedules go to the Tampa Division court.

Once filed, an automatic stay kicks in under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops most collection actions against the debtor right away. Creditors cannot call, sue, garnish wages, or foreclose while the stay is active. The court schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. The U.S. Courts website has all the official forms you need.

Citrus County Legal Resources

Bankruptcy can be complicated. Several groups help Citrus County residents who need guidance. Florida Legal Services offers free help to low-income individuals across the state, including those in Citrus County. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is the right path and help with forms.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service that covers Citrus County. For a small fee, you can get a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. If you want to file on your own, the Middle District court has pro se resources on its website. Pro se means you represent yourself. The court offers guides and sample forms for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for most debts. Getting this right is important, so legal help is worth considering.

Withlacoochee Area Legal Services also serves the Citrus County area and may be able to assist with bankruptcy-related questions for qualifying residents.

Some debts like student loans, child support, and recent taxes cannot be discharged. This is covered under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Cities in Citrus County

Citrus County includes several smaller communities. Inverness is the county seat. All bankruptcy filings from Citrus County residents go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court, regardless of which city or town you call home.

Communities in Citrus County include Inverness, Crystal River, Homosassa, Lecanto, and Beverly Hills. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a separate page, but residents all use the same Tampa Division court for bankruptcy filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Citrus County. If you are not sure which county you live in, check your mailing address. Bankruptcy cases must be filed in the correct federal district, and the county you live in determines your division.