Access Flagler County Bankruptcy Records

Flagler County bankruptcy records are processed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. Bunnell serves as the county seat, and Flagler County has a population of over 120,000 that has grown rapidly in recent years. All bankruptcy petitions from Flagler County residents go to the federal courthouse in Orlando. You can look up these records online via PACER, check case status for free by calling the VCIS phone line, or travel to the Orlando court for in-person searches. The Flagler County Clerk of Court maintains local civil records that can relate to bankruptcy matters, including liens, judgments, and property filings.

Flagler County Clerk of Court

Suzanne M. Johnston is the Flagler County Clerk of Court. The office is at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, in Bunnell. Bankruptcy cases are federal proceedings handled in Orlando, but the local clerk keeps civil records that can be useful during a bankruptcy case. Liens, foreclosures, creditor lawsuits, and judgments all pass through this office. If a Flagler County resident has debts being collected through state courts, those records show up here and can paint a fuller picture of the financial situation.

Reach the Flagler County Clerk at (386) 313-4400 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can assist you with local court record searches and guide you toward the correct resources for federal bankruptcy case lookups. The Flagler County Clerk website offers online search tools for civil cases and recorded documents. Federal bankruptcy filings are not in this system, but related state court actions are. Foreclosure cases, debt collection suits, and judgment liens filed against Flagler County residents show up in the clerk's online records.

Below you can see the Flagler County Clerk of Court website, available at flaglerclerk.com.

The website provides court case searches, recorded document lookups, and general information about Flagler County court services.

Bankruptcy Court for Flagler County

Flagler County bankruptcy filings go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. This is different from many of the surrounding counties that use the Jacksonville Division. The Orlando courthouse is at 400 W. Washington Street, Suite 5100, Orlando, FL 32801. Call (407) 237-8000 for general court information. The Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court website has local rules, filing procedures, required forms, and hearing schedules.

The federal bankruptcy court is separate from Florida's state courts. The Flagler County Clerk does not handle bankruptcy petitions or maintain federal case files. Every filing goes directly to the federal court in Orlando. A trustee gets appointed to review each case. Flagler County residents attend hearings at the Orlando courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, filers must reside in the district or own property there. Flagler County is part of the Middle District and falls under the Orlando Division for bankruptcy purposes.

Bunnell is about 75 miles north of Orlando. Flagler County residents should plan for roughly an hour and a half of travel time when they need to appear at the courthouse for hearings or other in-person matters.

How to Search Flagler County Records

You can search Flagler County bankruptcy records in three main ways. PACER provides full online access to case files. VCIS is a free phone service. The Orlando courthouse has public terminals for in-person use.

PACER is the federal government's online records system for all courts. It covers the Middle District of Florida, including the Orlando Division where Flagler County cases are filed. Register for a free account, then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents you view, with a maximum of $3.00 per document. If your quarterly charges stay under $30, you owe nothing. Most basic searches are cheap or free. Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, so there are no restrictions on who can look them up.

VCIS is a free, automated phone system that runs around the clock. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Flagler County bankruptcy cases. The system can confirm if a case exists, give you the case number, tell you the filing date, and report the chapter type and status. No account is needed. VCIS works well for quick lookups when you don't need to read through actual documents.

For an in-person search, visit the Orlando courthouse at 400 W. Washington Street. Public access terminals let you search Flagler County bankruptcy case files for free. You need a photo ID to get into the building. Staff can help you find specific cases and make copies of documents.

Filing Bankruptcy in Flagler County

Flagler County residents who are thinking about bankruptcy typically file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can get rid of most unsecured debts, but some assets may be at risk. Chapter 13 lets you keep your property while you pay off debts through a court-approved plan over three to five years. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. The court can set up installment payments if you can't pay everything at once.

You must finish credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is a legal requirement. You also need to compile your financial information: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and lists of all your debts and assets. All forms and schedules are filed with the Orlando Division court.

When the petition is filed, an automatic stay takes effect under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops creditors from calling, suing, garnishing wages, or starting foreclosure. The stay lasts until the case concludes or the court lifts it. A meeting of creditors gets scheduled about 30 to 45 days after filing. Official bankruptcy forms are available at the U.S. Courts website.

Flagler County Legal Resources

Getting help with bankruptcy in Flagler County is possible through several organizations. Florida Legal Services offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals statewide, including Flagler County residents. They can help you understand your options and fill out the necessary paperwork.

The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service that covers Flagler County. You pay a small fee and get paired with a bankruptcy attorney for a consultation. If you choose to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court has pro se resources online. Pro se means representing yourself in the case. The court provides guides and sample completed forms to help self-represented filers. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, completing a Chapter 7 case leads to a discharge that removes personal liability for most debts. Having a lawyer, or at least using the court's pro se guides, can make a real difference.

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida also covers the Flagler County area. They provide civil legal help to eligible residents, including those dealing with debt and housing problems.

Some debts can't be wiped out. Student loans, child support, alimony, and some taxes are not dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Cities in Flagler County

Flagler County includes communities like Bunnell (the county seat), Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Beverly Beach. Palm Coast is the largest city in the county by a wide margin. All bankruptcy filings from Flagler County residents go through the Orlando Division of the Middle District court, no matter which city or town you live in.

No cities in Flagler County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All Flagler County communities file bankruptcy through the same federal courthouse in Orlando.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Flagler County. Confirm your county before filing, since Flagler uses the Orlando Division while some neighboring counties use Jacksonville. Your county determines which division handles your case.