Holmes County Bankruptcy Record Search

Holmes County bankruptcy records are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida, Panama City Division. Located in the western panhandle, Holmes County has about 20,000 residents with Bonifay as the county seat. You can pull up Holmes County bankruptcy filings online through PACER, call the VCIS phone line for free, or visit the Panama City federal courthouse. The Holmes County Clerk of Court in Bonifay also maintains local civil records that may connect to bankruptcy matters. Read on for a full look at how to find and use Holmes County bankruptcy records.

Holmes County Clerk of Court

Judy N. Hughes serves as the Holmes County Clerk of Court. The office is at 201 North Oklahoma Street in Bonifay. Bankruptcy filings are federal court matters and do not pass through the county clerk. But Holmes County's clerk office keeps civil case records, property filings, and liens. When a creditor sues someone in Holmes County or records a judgment lien, those documents end up here. This makes the clerk a useful stop if you want the full picture of someone's legal and financial situation in Holmes County.

Reach the Holmes County Clerk at (850) 547-1100. The office is open on weekdays. The Holmes County Clerk website provides contact details and some online tools. As a smaller county, the range of online records may not be as broad as larger jurisdictions. But the staff in Bonifay are available to help with lookups by phone or in person. If you need to find a local civil case that ties to a Holmes County bankruptcy, start here.

Here is a screenshot of the Holmes County Clerk website at holmesclerk.com.

The clerk site has office hours, phone numbers, and links to Holmes County court services.

Holmes County Bankruptcy Court

Holmes County cases go to the Panama City Division of the Northern District of Florida. The federal courthouse is at 30 West Government Street in Panama City, FL 32401. Bonifay is about 55 miles north of Panama City, so Holmes County residents need to plan for the drive when they have court dates. Call (850) 521-5001 for general court information. Visit the Northern District court website for forms, local rules, and filing instructions.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, debtors must file in the district where they live. Holmes County is in the Northern District. The Panama City Division handles all bankruptcy filings from this area. A trustee is assigned to manage each case. The meeting of creditors happens at the Panama City courthouse, though phone appearances may be an option in some cases. Holmes County residents should check with the court about phone or video hearing options to save on travel.

Note: The Panama City Division courthouse also serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, Walton, and Washington counties.

How to Search Holmes County Bankruptcy Records

Three methods let you search Holmes County bankruptcy records. Each serves a different purpose.

PACER is the most thorough online tool. Create a free account and search by debtor name or case number. Every Holmes County bankruptcy case filed in the Northern District is on PACER. You can view docket sheets, filed documents, and claims registers. Documents cost $0.10 per page with a cap of $3.00 per document. If you use less than $30 in a quarter, there is no charge. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records that anyone can access.

VCIS is a free phone option. Call 1-866-222-8029 at any time. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter information, and current status for Holmes County cases. No account needed. This is the quickest way to check on a case when you do not need to see the actual documents.

For a hands-on search, go to the Panama City courthouse at 30 West Government Street. Public terminals give you free access to Holmes County bankruptcy records. The clerk can make copies and help you navigate the system. Bring your ID and whatever details you already have about the case. This works best when you need certified copies or want to review a full case file.

Filing Bankruptcy in Holmes County

Holmes County residents file bankruptcy at the Panama City Division. The two most common types are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs $338 and can wipe out most unsecured debts in a few months. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans are typical debts that get eliminated. Chapter 13 costs $313 and puts you on a three-to-five-year payment plan. This works for people with steady income who want to keep a home or vehicle.

Credit counseling is required before you file. Use an agency from the Department of Justice approved list for the Northern District. You also need your financial records ready: bank statements, recent tax returns, pay stubs, and a complete rundown of debts and assets. Official forms are available at the U.S. Courts forms page.

When your case is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes effect right away. This bars creditors from taking any collection action against Holmes County debtors. Calls stop. Lawsuits freeze. Garnishments end. The trustee then schedules the creditor meeting, usually 30 to 45 days later. Holmes County debtors attend this at the Panama City courthouse.

Holmes County Legal Resources

Finding a bankruptcy attorney in a rural county like Holmes can take some work. The Florida Bar lawyer referral service can connect Holmes County residents with bankruptcy lawyers who serve the panhandle. Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to qualifying individuals. They handle bankruptcy questions and can assist with paperwork for Holmes County residents.

The Northern District court has pro se guides for people filing on their own. Self-representation is legal but takes effort. Every form must be filled out correctly and every deadline met. A discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 is the end goal for Chapter 7 filers. It releases personal liability on most debts. But under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, certain obligations survive bankruptcy no matter what. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and some tax debts fall into this category. Even a short consultation with a lawyer can help Holmes County residents understand what bankruptcy can and cannot do for them.

Note: Legal Aid of Northwest Florida may also serve Holmes County residents who need help with debt-related legal matters.

Cities in Holmes County

Holmes County includes a handful of small communities. Bonifay is the county seat and the largest town. Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville are other settlements in the county. All Holmes County residents file bankruptcy through the Panama City Division of the Northern District court. There is no local bankruptcy office in the county.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County is bordered by several panhandle counties. All are in the Northern District of Florida. Confirm your county of residence before you begin a bankruptcy filing.