Access Hendry County Bankruptcy Records
Hendry County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Fort Myers Division covers this area, though all filings are processed at the Tampa Division since there is no staffed clerk's office in Fort Myers. Hendry County has a population of about 42,000 and is located in south-central Florida. You can look up bankruptcy case records using PACER, the VCIS phone line, or by visiting the Tampa courthouse in person. The Hendry County Clerk of Court also maintains civil records that can relate to bankruptcy matters.
Hendry County Quick Facts
Hendry County Clerk of Court
Barbara Butler serves as the Hendry County Clerk of Court. The office is at 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue in LaBelle, FL 33935. While bankruptcy is a federal court matter, the county clerk keeps civil case records that may tie to a bankruptcy filing. Judgments, liens, and property records are all filed with this office. If a creditor took action in Hendry County before or during a bankruptcy, you may find useful records here.
You can reach the Hendry County Clerk at (863) 675-5217 during regular business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you locate civil case records and tell you where to go for federal bankruptcy matters. The Hendry County Clerk website provides online search tools for local court records. These are not bankruptcy case files, but they can include foreclosures, collection lawsuits, and judgment liens that relate to a debtor's financial situation in Hendry County.
Below is a screenshot of the U.S. Courts bankruptcy forms page, which provides all the official forms needed for Hendry County residents filing bankruptcy. Visit it at uscourts.gov.
The forms page has petitions, schedules, and other documents that Hendry County residents need when filing for bankruptcy protection.
| Clerk | Barbara Butler |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, FL 33935 |
| Phone | (863) 675-5217 |
| Website | hendryclerk.org |
Hendry County Bankruptcy Court
Hendry County falls within the Fort Myers Division of the Middle District of Florida. The Fort Myers Division has no staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office. This means all petitions and filings from Hendry County go to the Tampa Division for processing. The Tampa courthouse address is 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for general court information. Visit the Middle District court website for local rules, forms, and filing guides.
Attorneys in Hendry County use CM/ECF to file documents electronically. The lack of a nearby clerk's office is less of an issue with electronic filing in place. Pro se filers can send their paperwork by mail to the Tampa address or go there in person. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must reside within the judicial district or have property there. Hendry County is in the Middle District, so residents file here.
Hearings for Hendry County cases may take place at the Fort Myers courthouse or in Tampa. Your case docket will show where and when hearings are set.
Search Hendry County Bankruptcy Records
You can search Hendry County bankruptcy records three ways. PACER is the best for full case details. VCIS handles basic lookups by phone. And the Tampa courthouse has public terminals for in-person access.
PACER is the federal electronic records system. It covers every federal court, including the Middle District of Florida. Set up a free account to start searching. You can look up Hendry County cases by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If you stay under $30 per quarter, there is no fee. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can access them.
VCIS is a free option for quick case checks. Call 1-866-222-8029 anytime. The automated system will confirm whether a case exists and provide the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. It runs day and night. No registration needed. This is a useful tool when you just need basic information about a Hendry County bankruptcy case.
You can also visit the Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue. Public access terminals are available for free searches. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's office staff can help you track down specific documents from a Hendry County bankruptcy file.
Filing Bankruptcy in Hendry County
Hendry County residents file for bankruptcy through the Tampa Division of the Middle District. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common choices for individuals. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt but may require you to surrender certain property. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. The court allows installment payments if you need them.
Before filing, you must take a credit counseling course from an approved provider. The U.S. Department of Justice publishes a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. You will also need to collect tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of your debts and assets. All official forms are on the U.S. Courts website.
Filing triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must immediately stop collection actions. No more phone calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, or foreclosure activity. A meeting of creditors is usually scheduled 30 to 45 days after the filing. This meeting is required for every case from Hendry County.
Legal Resources for Hendry County
Florida Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents throughout Florida, including Hendry County. They can help you figure out if bankruptcy is the right move and assist with forms and filings when you qualify. This is particularly valuable in rural areas where local legal options may be limited.
The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral program that serves Hendry County. Pay a small fee for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. If you plan to go it alone, the Middle District court has pro se resources posted online. Pro se filers handle their own cases without an attorney. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge frees the debtor from personal liability on most debts. Completing the process correctly is the key to getting that discharge.
Certain debts will not go away. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, you cannot discharge child support, alimony, most student loans, or recent tax debts. A lawyer can tell you exactly which debts can be erased in your specific situation.
Cities in Hendry County
Hendry County includes LaBelle, the county seat, and Clewiston along with surrounding unincorporated areas. All bankruptcy filings from Hendry County go through the Fort Myers Division, with paperwork processed at the Tampa office. No cities in Hendry County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page, but every resident follows the same filing process through the Middle District court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hendry County. Your county determines which federal court division handles your bankruptcy case. If you live near a border, check your address to confirm.