Martin County Bankruptcy Records Search

Martin County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The West Palm Beach Division serves all of Martin County. Stuart is the county seat, but there is no federal bankruptcy courthouse here. All cases go through West Palm Beach. You can search these records on PACER, call the VCIS phone line for free case lookups, or visit the West Palm Beach courthouse. The Martin County Clerk of Court maintains civil records locally, including liens and judgments that often connect to bankruptcy filings.

Martin County Clerk of Court

Carolyn A. Timmann is the Martin County Clerk of Court. Her office is at 100 E. Ocean Boulevard in Stuart. The clerk does not handle federal bankruptcy petitions. That is the job of the federal court. But this office keeps civil case records, property filings, and judgment liens that relate to bankruptcy matters. Foreclosures, debt collection lawsuits, and recorded liens in Martin County all pass through the clerk's office.

You can reach the Martin County Clerk at (772) 288-5576. The office is open weekdays during regular hours. The Martin County Clerk website has tools for searching court records, official records, and jury information online. If you want to check whether a judgment lien was filed against someone in Martin County, or look up a foreclosure case that led to a bankruptcy filing, the clerk's records are where you start on the local side.

The screenshot below shows the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court FAQ page. You can access it at flsb.uscourts.gov.

The court FAQ covers common questions about filing, fees, and the bankruptcy process for Martin County and other Southern District counties.

Martin County Bankruptcy Court

Bankruptcy filings from Martin County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. The courthouse is at 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Call (561) 514-4100 for court information. The Southern District court website has local rules, forms, and filing instructions.

Martin County is a fairly short drive from West Palm Beach, which makes in-person court visits more practical than for some other counties in the division. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you file in the district where you live or own property. Martin County falls in the Southern District, so all cases go to West Palm Beach. Federal judges assigned to the West Palm Beach Division hear Martin County bankruptcy cases.

A bankruptcy trustee is appointed for each case. The trustee reviews your finances and manages the process. In Chapter 7, the trustee looks for nonexempt assets. In Chapter 13, the trustee collects and distributes monthly payments to your creditors.

Searching Martin County Bankruptcy Records

There are three ways to search for Martin County bankruptcy records. The fastest is PACER online. The cheapest is the VCIS phone line. And you can go to the courthouse in West Palm Beach for free terminal access.

PACER covers every federal court in the country. Create a free account and search the Southern District of Florida for Martin County cases. You can look up cases by name, case number, or partial Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page with a $3.00 per document cap. Stay under $30 in a quarter and you pay nothing. Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107.

Call 1-866-222-8029 to reach the Voice Case Information System. It is free, runs around the clock, and gives you basic case data: case number, filing date, chapter, and status. No account needed. VCIS is the right tool when you want a quick answer about whether a Martin County case exists or where it stands.

Public terminals at the West Palm Beach courthouse let you search and view case files during business hours. Staff can help you find documents. Bring ID. The drive from Stuart is about 40 minutes, and for anyone who needs to review multiple documents or complex case files, an in-person visit can save time compared to pulling pages one by one online.

Filing Bankruptcy in Martin County

Martin County residents file bankruptcy with the West Palm Beach Division. Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debts. The fee is $338. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan over three to five years, and that costs $313 to file. The court allows installment payments on the filing fee if paying all at once is a problem.

You must complete credit counseling before filing. Approved agencies are listed on the U.S. Department of Justice website. This is a federal requirement. Without the certificate, the court will reject your petition. Next, pull together your financial paperwork: two years of tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full inventory of what you owe and what you own.

Filing triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. That stops collection calls, lawsuits, garnishments, and foreclosures immediately. The court schedules a meeting of creditors 30 to 45 days after you file. Attend this meeting. All forms are on the U.S. Courts forms page.

Legal Help in Martin County

Bankruptcy is complicated. Florida Legal Services offers free help for low-income residents statewide. They can assist Martin County residents with evaluating options and preparing paperwork for a filing.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, they will set up a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. Several lawyers in the Stuart and Treasure Coast area handle bankruptcy cases in the Southern District. A first meeting is often free. If you are going pro se, the Southern District court has self-help guides on its website. These cover forms, deadlines, and procedures step by step.

A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 releases you from most debts. Certain obligations survive, though. Child support, alimony, student loans, and recent taxes are not dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. Get legal advice to understand how these rules apply to your situation in Martin County.

Cities in Martin County

Martin County includes several communities. Stuart is the county seat. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a separate page. All bankruptcy cases from Martin County residents go through the West Palm Beach Division of the Southern District.

Communities include Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Indiantown, Hobe Sound, and Sewall's Point. Residents of all these areas file through the same West Palm Beach Division.

Nearby Counties

Martin County borders these counties. Your county of residence determines which division handles your case. Verify your address if you live near the line.