Monroe County Bankruptcy Filings

Monroe County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. Key West is the county seat, but there is no federal bankruptcy courthouse in the Florida Keys. All filings go through the Miami office. You can search Monroe County bankruptcy records on PACER online, call the free VCIS phone line for case information, or make the trip to the Miami courthouse. The Monroe County Clerk of Court handles local civil records, including judgment liens and property filings that sometimes connect to bankruptcy cases. Monroe County has a smaller population than most Southern District counties, but the process works the same way.

Monroe County Clerk of Court

Kevin Madok is the Monroe County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 500 Whitehead Street in Key West. Bankruptcy petitions are federal filings and do not go through this office. But the clerk manages civil court records, official records, and recorded documents for Monroe County. Liens, judgments, and property filings that relate to bankruptcy cases are all kept here.

Reach the clerk at (305) 292-3517. The office is open Monday through Friday. The Monroe County Clerk website provides online access to court records and official recordings. If someone in Monroe County has a judgment lien or a foreclosure case on file, you can find it through the clerk's search tools. These local records add context to what you see in the federal bankruptcy file, especially for cases that involve real property in the Keys.

The image below shows the Monroe County Clerk of Court website. You can visit it at monroecounty-fl.gov.

The clerk's site lets you search court records, look up official documents, and find contact details for all Monroe County court offices.

Monroe County Bankruptcy Court

Bankruptcy cases from Monroe County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The courthouse is at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150, Miami, FL 33128. Call (305) 714-1800 for questions. The Southern District court website has filing forms, local rules, and procedural guides.

Monroe County stretches along the Florida Keys, and the drive from Key West to Miami is roughly three and a half hours. That distance makes in-person hearings a real challenge for Keys residents. Some hearings may be set up by phone or video. Ask the court about remote options when you file. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you file where you live. Monroe County is in the Southern District, so cases go to the Miami Division.

The court appoints a trustee to oversee each case. In Chapter 7, the trustee reviews your assets and may sell nonexempt property. In Chapter 13, the trustee manages your payment plan. Monroe County cases are handled by the same trustees and judges who serve the broader Miami Division.

Searching Monroe County Bankruptcy Records

You can search Monroe County bankruptcy records three ways. PACER is the online option. VCIS is the free phone option. And you can visit the Miami courthouse for in-person access.

PACER gives you access to all federal court records. Create a free account, then search the Southern District of Florida. Find Monroe County cases by name, case number, or partial Social Security number. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your total is under $30 in a quarter, you pay nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public and open to anyone.

Call 1-866-222-8029 to use the Voice Case Information System. It is free and runs 24 hours a day. VCIS gives you case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and status updates. No account is needed. For Monroe County residents, this is often the most practical choice since you can call from anywhere in the Keys.

At the Miami courthouse, public access terminals are open during business hours. You can search and view case files at no charge. Staff can help you locate specific filings. The trip from the Keys is long, so most Monroe County residents stick with the online and phone search options unless they need to attend a hearing anyway.

Filing Bankruptcy in Monroe County

Monroe County residents file with the Miami Division. Chapter 7 erases most unsecured debts and costs $338. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan for three to five years and costs $313. If the fee is too much to pay at once, the court offers installment plans.

You must take credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved providers for the Southern District. Get the certificate first. Then gather your financial records: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of debts and assets. File everything with the Miami Division court.

Once filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 stops all collection actions immediately. No calls, no lawsuits, no garnishments. The meeting of creditors comes 30 to 45 days later. Monroe County filers should ask about phone or video attendance for this meeting given the distance to Miami. All forms are on the U.S. Courts website.

Legal Resources for Monroe County

Getting legal help matters in bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services provides free assistance to low-income residents statewide, including Monroe County. They can answer questions, review your situation, and help with the forms.

The Florida Bar offers a lawyer referral program. Pay a small fee and get a meeting with a local bankruptcy attorney. Some lawyers in the Keys handle bankruptcy cases, and many Miami-based attorneys also serve Monroe County clients. A first consultation is often free. Pro se filers can use the self-help resources on the Southern District court website. The materials explain each form and deadline clearly.

A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 wipes out personal liability for most debts. But certain debts cannot be discharged. Student loans, child support, alimony, and recent tax debts all survive under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. Talk to a lawyer before filing to understand which debts apply in your case.

Monroe County residents also have access to the local legal aid society and the Keys Bar Association for referrals and general guidance on debt issues.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County covers the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West. The county seat is Key West. No cities in Monroe County meet the population threshold for a separate page. All bankruptcy filings from county residents go through the Miami Division of the Southern District court.

Communities in Monroe County include Key West, Marathon, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Tavernier. All residents file through the same Miami Division courthouse for bankruptcy matters.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County borders these counties on the mainland. All are in the Southern District of Florida. Your county of residence determines where you file.