Collier County Bankruptcy Records
Collier County bankruptcy records are managed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Fort Myers Division covers Collier County, but all filings are processed at the Tampa Division since there is no staffed clerk's office in Fort Myers. With a population over 390,000, Collier County sees a steady volume of bankruptcy filings each year. You can search these case records through PACER, the VCIS phone line, or by visiting the Tampa courthouse. The Collier County Clerk of Court also maintains local civil records that sometimes overlap with bankruptcy matters.
Collier County Quick Facts
Collier County Clerk of Court
Crystal K. Kinzel is the Collier County Clerk of Courts. The mailing address is PO Box 413044, Naples, FL 34101. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, but the county clerk keeps civil records that can be tied to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosure filings, and property records all go through this office. If a debtor in Collier County had local court actions before or during a bankruptcy, the clerk's records can show those details.
Call the Collier County Clerk at (239) 252-2745 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can help you locate civil case records and direct you to the right office for federal bankruptcy matters. The Collier County Clerk website lets you search local court records online. You won't find bankruptcy filings here, but you can pull up related records like debt collection suits, mortgage foreclosures, and judgment liens filed in Collier County.
Below is a screenshot of the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court, which handles all Collier County bankruptcy filings. Visit the court at flmb.uscourts.gov.
The court site provides filing information, local rules, and resources for both attorneys and individuals filing on their own in Collier County.
| Clerk | Crystal K. Kinzel |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 413044, Naples, FL 34101 |
| Phone | (239) 252-2745 |
| Website | collierclerk.com |
Bankruptcy Court for Collier County
Collier County is part of the Fort Myers Division within the Middle District of Florida. The key thing to know is that the Fort Myers Division has no staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office. All petitions and documents must be filed through the Tampa Division. The Tampa courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for court inquiries. The Middle District court website has everything from local rules to filing instructions.
Electronic filing through CM/ECF makes this less of a burden than it sounds. Attorneys file nearly all documents online. If you are filing on your own, you can mail your petition to the Tampa address or go there in person. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must reside in the district or have property there. Collier County sits in the Middle District, so residents file through this court system.
Hearings for Collier County cases may take place in Fort Myers or Tampa, depending on the judge's schedule. Check your case docket on PACER for hearing location details.
How to Search Collier County Bankruptcy Records
Three options exist for looking up Collier County bankruptcy records. PACER gives you the most detail. VCIS works for basic checks. And you can go to the Tampa courthouse to view files in person.
PACER covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account, then search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page up to $3.00 per document. Quarterly usage under $30 is free. Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. No special permission is needed to search. You can find petitions, schedules, proofs of claim, court orders, and discharge documents for any Collier County case.
VCIS is a free phone service for quick case lookups. Dial 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and case status for Collier County bankruptcy filings. You do not need an account to use VCIS.
The Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue has public access terminals where you can search Collier County case files for free. Bring a photo ID. The clerk's office can also help you locate specific documents within a case.
Filing Bankruptcy in Collier County
Most Collier County residents choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 when they file. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts. You may have to give up some assets. Chapter 13 puts you on a repayment plan for three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. If the fee is a hardship, the court can let you pay in installments.
Credit counseling is required before you file. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Middle District. You also need to gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full accounting of debts and assets. All paperwork goes to the Tampa Division for processing. The U.S. Courts website has all official bankruptcy forms.
Once your case is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 kicks in. Creditors must stop all collection activity. No more calls, lawsuits, or wage garnishments while the stay is active. A meeting of creditors happens about 30 to 45 days after filing. This is where the trustee reviews your case and creditors can ask questions.
Collier County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Collier County and across the state. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is the right path and help with forms if you qualify for their services.
The Florida Bar runs a referral service covering Collier County. A small fee gets you a consultation with a local bankruptcy lawyer. If you want to file pro se, the Middle District court website has self-help resources. Pro se means you represent yourself in court. Guides, sample forms, and instructions are all posted there. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability on most debts. Making sure you qualify for this discharge matters, which is why legal advice can be valuable.
Not all debts go away in bankruptcy. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, alimony, student loans, and certain tax debts survive a discharge. Talk to an attorney if you are unsure which debts you can eliminate.
Cities in Collier County
Collier County includes Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, and Everglades City. Naples is the county seat. All bankruptcy filings from Collier County residents go through the Fort Myers Division of the Middle District, with paperwork processed at the Tampa office. None of the cities in Collier County meet the population threshold for their own dedicated page, but the filing process is the same for all residents.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Collier County. Your county determines which federal division handles your case. Check your address if you are unsure which county you fall in.