Lee County Bankruptcy Records Search
Lee County bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Fort Myers Division covers Lee County, but all filings must be processed through the Tampa Division office because there is no staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office in Fort Myers. Lee County is one of the largest counties in Southwest Florida with over 760,000 residents. You can access bankruptcy case records through PACER, the VCIS phone line, or by going to the Tampa courthouse. The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that often connect to bankruptcy filings.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Clerk of Court
Linda A. Doggett is the Lee County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 1700 Monroe Street in Fort Myers, FL 33901. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, but the county clerk handles a wide range of civil records that can overlap with bankruptcy cases. Property filings, liens, judgments, and foreclosure records all come through this office. For a county the size of Lee, that means a large volume of records to search through when researching a debtor's financial history.
Call the Lee County Clerk at (239) 533-5000 during regular business hours. Staff can help you find civil records and direct you to the right place for federal bankruptcy information. The Lee County Clerk website provides online tools for searching local court records. You will not find federal bankruptcy case files here, but you can look up foreclosure actions, debt collection lawsuits, and judgment liens filed in Lee County. These records can provide context around a bankruptcy filing.
The screenshot below shows the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court homepage, which handles all Lee County bankruptcy filings. Visit the court at flmb.uscourts.gov.
The court website provides filing instructions, local rules, forms, and resources for attorneys and pro se filers in Lee County.
| Clerk | Linda A. Doggett |
|---|---|
| Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | leeclerk.org |
Bankruptcy Court for Lee County
Lee County is part of the Fort Myers Division within the Middle District of Florida. There is a federal courthouse in Fort Myers at 2110 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. However, this location does not have a staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office. All filings must be made through the Tampa Division at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for court inquiries. The Middle District court website has forms, local rules, and filing information.
Despite this arrangement, Lee County residents do not necessarily have to travel to Tampa. Electronic filing through CM/ECF handles the vast majority of case documents. Attorneys file everything online. If you are a pro se filer, you can mail your petition to the Tampa address. Hearings for Lee County cases may still take place at the Fort Myers courthouse depending on the judge's schedule. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there. Lee County sits in the Middle District, so residents file through this system.
With over 760,000 people, Lee County generates a significant number of bankruptcy filings each year. The court system handles this volume through electronic processing at the Tampa office.
How to Search Lee County Bankruptcy Records
Three options are available for searching Lee County bankruptcy records. PACER provides the most complete access to case documents. VCIS is a quick phone option. And you can visit the Tampa courthouse for in-person searches.
PACER covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account, then search Lee County bankruptcy cases by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. The system charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly usage under $30 is free. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them without special permission or justification.
VCIS is a free phone service for basic case lookups. Dial 1-866-222-8029 at any time. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and case status for Lee County filings. No account is required. This works well when you need a quick answer about a specific case.
The Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue has public access terminals where you can search and view Lee County case files at no charge. Bring a photo ID. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find specific documents. Given Lee County's size, you may find a high volume of cases to sort through on PACER or at the courthouse.
Filing Bankruptcy in Lee County
Lee County residents filing for bankruptcy typically choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can eliminate most unsecured debts. You may have to give up some assets depending on what you own and what exemptions apply. Chapter 13 puts you on a payment plan that lasts three to five years. Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. The court can approve installment payments if the full fee is a hardship.
Credit counseling from an approved agency is a mandatory first step. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved counselors for the Middle District. Collect your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete accounting of all debts and assets. The U.S. Courts website has every official form you will need. Since Lee County is in the Fort Myers Division, your petition goes to Tampa for processing.
The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes effect as soon as your case is filed. Creditors must halt all collection actions immediately. That means no calls, no lawsuits, no garnishments, and no foreclosure steps. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. This meeting is required for all Lee County bankruptcy cases.
Lee County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services provides free legal aid to low-income residents across Florida. Lee County residents can contact them for bankruptcy guidance, help with forms, and advice on whether filing is the right path. With a large population, Lee County has a steady demand for these services.
The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service that covers Lee County. For a modest fee, you get a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. If you plan to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court has pro se guides and sample forms on its website. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a successful discharge frees you from personal liability on most debts. Legal advice can help make sure you complete every step correctly.
Not every debt can be wiped out. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, certain debts survive bankruptcy. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and recent tax obligations are among those that cannot be discharged. An attorney can review your debts and let you know what to expect.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County is home to several cities and communities. Fort Myers is the county seat. Cape Coral is the largest city by population. All bankruptcy filings from Lee County go through the Fort Myers Division of the Middle District, processed at the Tampa office.
Other communities in Lee County include Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres, and Sanibel. Residents of all these areas file bankruptcy through the same Fort Myers Division court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lee County. Your county determines which court division handles your case. If you live near a county line, confirm your address to make sure you file in the right place.