Find Franklin County Bankruptcy Cases

Franklin County bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division. This coastal county on the Gulf of Mexico has roughly 12,000 residents, making it one of the smallest in the state. Bankruptcy cases from Franklin County are searchable through PACER, the VCIS phone system, or at the Tallahassee courthouse. The Franklin County Clerk in Apalachicola also keeps local civil records that may relate to bankruptcy matters. Here is how to search and access Franklin County bankruptcy records.

Franklin County Clerk of Court

Marcia M. Johnson serves as the Franklin County Clerk of Court. The office is at 33 Market Street, Suite 203, in Apalachicola. Bankruptcy filings are federal matters and do not go through the county clerk. But the Franklin County Clerk maintains local civil records that can connect to bankruptcy cases. Liens, foreclosures, and small claims judgments are all filed here.

Call (850) 653-8861 to reach the Franklin County Clerk. The Franklin County Clerk website has contact information and some online services. As a small county, the extent of online records may be limited. Staff at the Apalachicola office can help with lookups and answer questions about Franklin County records. If you need to check on a local judgment or lien that might tie to a bankruptcy filing, the clerk's office is the place to start.

The Northern District of Florida homepage is shown below. Franklin County cases go through the Tallahassee Division. Visit flnb.uscourts.gov for court information.

The court site has forms, filing procedures, local rules, and contact details that apply to Franklin County bankruptcy cases.

Franklin County Bankruptcy Court

Franklin County bankruptcy cases go to the Tallahassee Division of the Northern District of Florida. The courthouse is at 110 East Park Avenue, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301. That is about an 80-mile drive from Apalachicola. Call (850) 521-5001 for court questions. The Northern District court website provides forms, local rules, and filing guides that apply to all Franklin County cases.

Hearings for Franklin County bankruptcy cases happen in Tallahassee. The meeting of creditors is typically held at the courthouse, though phone appearances have become more common. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must file in the district where you live. Franklin County is in the Northern District. A trustee is assigned to oversee each case from start to finish.

Note: Franklin County residents should plan for the drive to Tallahassee when court dates are set, as there is no closer federal courthouse.

How to Search Franklin County Bankruptcy Records

Three methods let you search for Franklin County bankruptcy records. Online, by phone, or at the courthouse.

PACER handles online searches. Sign up for a free account and look up any Franklin County case in the Northern District. You can search by debtor name or case number. Documents cost $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly usage under $30 is free. This is the most complete way to search Franklin County bankruptcy records from home. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all filed bankruptcy documents are public.

Call 1-866-222-8029 for the VCIS automated line. It runs 24 hours and costs nothing. VCIS can confirm case existence, give you a case number, show the chapter type, and report the current status for Franklin County bankruptcy cases. No account required. This works best for quick lookups.

You can also visit the Tallahassee courthouse at 110 East Park Avenue. Public terminals allow free searches of Franklin County bankruptcy records. The clerk's office can help with copies and explain how to find what you need. This is the best route when you want to see the full case file or get certified copies of documents.

Filing Bankruptcy in Franklin County

Franklin County residents who need to file bankruptcy do so at the Tallahassee Division. Chapter 7 is the most common choice. It costs $338 to file and can eliminate most unsecured debts within a few months. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a payment plan. The court can allow installment payments if the fee is too much at once.

Credit counseling is mandatory before filing. You must use a provider approved by the U.S. Department of Justice for the Northern District. Gather your financial papers before you start: bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, and a list of debts and assets. Official bankruptcy forms are at the U.S. Courts forms page.

After filing, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 halts all collection efforts against Franklin County debtors. No more calls from creditors. No lawsuits. No wage garnishment. The protection begins the instant the petition hits the court. The trustee then schedules a meeting of creditors, usually about a month after the filing date. Franklin County debtors attend this meeting in Tallahassee or sometimes by phone.

Franklin County Bankruptcy Legal Help

Florida Legal Services offers free legal assistance to low-income residents statewide, including Franklin County. They handle bankruptcy questions and can help with forms. The Florida Bar referral program connects Franklin County residents with bankruptcy attorneys in the region.

The Northern District court posts pro se resources for self-represented filers. Franklin County residents who choose to file without a lawyer can find step-by-step guides and sample documents on the court website. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a successful Chapter 7 case ends with a discharge order. This releases the debtor from personal liability on most debts. However, certain obligations are not dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. These include child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain tax debts. Legal advice is worth the investment, even for a single meeting, to make sure your Franklin County case goes smoothly.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County has two incorporated cities: Apalachicola and Carrabelle. Apalachicola is the county seat. All Franklin County residents file bankruptcy at the Tallahassee Division of the Northern District court. There are no separate filing locations within the county.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County sits along the Gulf Coast and borders several other North Florida counties. Most are also in the Northern District of Florida. Verify your address before filing to make sure you are in the right county.