Okeechobee County Bankruptcy Records
Okeechobee County bankruptcy records go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division handles all filings from this area. Okeechobee is a small, rural county in south-central Florida with around 40,000 residents. There is no federal courthouse here. Cases are managed out of Fort Lauderdale. You can search Okeechobee County bankruptcy records online using PACER, check case status by phone through VCIS, or visit the Fort Lauderdale courthouse in person. The Okeechobee County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that can relate to bankruptcy cases, including liens and judgments filed in the county.
Okeechobee County Quick Facts
Okeechobee County Clerk of Court
Sharon Robertson is the Okeechobee County Clerk of Court. The office sits at 312 NW 3rd Street in the city of Okeechobee. Bankruptcy filings are federal matters and do not go through the local clerk. But this office handles civil court records, recorded documents, and judgment liens filed within the county. Foreclosures, debt collection cases, and property recordings all pass through here.
Call (863) 763-2131 to reach the clerk's office. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours. The Okeechobee County Clerk website has online search tools for court records and official documents. If a creditor filed a lawsuit against an Okeechobee County resident before their bankruptcy, or if a judgment lien was recorded against a local property, the clerk's system will have those records. They supplement the federal bankruptcy file with local details.
Below is the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court forms page, which serves Okeechobee County. You can find it at flsb.uscourts.gov.
The forms page lists all documents needed for filing bankruptcy, whether you are in Okeechobee County or anywhere else in the Southern District.
| Clerk | Sharon Robertson |
|---|---|
| Address | 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 |
| Phone | (863) 763-2131 |
| Website | okeechobeecclerk.com |
Okeechobee Bankruptcy Court Info
All bankruptcy cases from Okeechobee County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. The courthouse is at 299 East Broward Boulevard, Room 112, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 769-5700 for information. The Southern District court website has local rules, filing forms, and procedural guides.
Okeechobee County is roughly two hours from Fort Lauderdale. That drive makes in-person hearings harder for local residents. The court does allow some hearings by phone or video, and you should ask about that when you file. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, your residence determines where you file. Okeechobee County falls under the Fort Lauderdale Division of the Southern District.
A trustee gets assigned to every case. For Chapter 7, the trustee checks for nonexempt assets that can be sold to pay creditors. For Chapter 13, the trustee collects your monthly payments and sends them to creditors. The process is the same whether you live in Okeechobee or Fort Lauderdale.
Search Okeechobee Bankruptcy Records
Three options for looking up Okeechobee County bankruptcy records. PACER is online. VCIS is by phone. And the Fort Lauderdale courthouse has public terminals.
PACER is the federal court electronic records system. Sign up for a free account and search the Southern District of Florida. Look up Okeechobee County cases by debtor name, case number, or last four of a Social Security number. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Under $30 per quarter is free. Bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, so anyone can search them.
The Voice Case Information System is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 anytime. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and case status. No account is needed. For Okeechobee County residents who just need a quick check on a case, VCIS is the simplest option.
You can visit the Fort Lauderdale courthouse to use public access terminals. They let you search and view case files at no cost. Bring ID. Staff at the clerk's window can help with finding specific documents. The drive from Okeechobee is about two hours, so most residents find the phone and online options more practical for routine searches.
Bankruptcy Filing in Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County residents who need to file for bankruptcy do so through the Fort Lauderdale Division. Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debts. The fee is $338. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan over three to five years and costs $313. If you cannot pay the full fee up front, the court can set up installments.
Before filing, you must take credit counseling. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps a list of approved agencies for the Southern District. Finish the course and get the certificate. Then collect your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of what you owe and own. Submit everything to the Fort Lauderdale Division.
The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 begins the moment you file. Creditors have to stop all collection actions. No calls, no lawsuits, no garnishments while the stay is in place. A meeting of creditors follows in 30 to 45 days. You must attend. The U.S. Courts website has all the forms you need to get started.
Okeechobee County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services helps low-income residents across the state, including Okeechobee County. They offer free guidance on bankruptcy, debt problems, and related legal issues. Getting advice early can save time and trouble down the line.
The Florida Bar has a referral service that matches you with a bankruptcy attorney. For a small fee, you get an initial meeting. Finding a local attorney in Okeechobee can be harder since it is a smaller area, but many attorneys in the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach areas take cases from surrounding counties. For those going pro se, the Southern District court website has self-help materials that cover forms, timelines, and procedures.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge frees you from personal liability on most debts. Some debts cannot be wiped out. Student loans, child support, alimony, and recent tax debts survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. A lawyer can look at your full financial picture and tell you what to expect.
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit also covers Okeechobee County for state court matters. While bankruptcy is federal, knowing your local judicial circuit helps if you have related state court cases going on at the same time.
Cities in Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County is a small, largely rural county. The city of Okeechobee is the county seat and the only incorporated city. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a separate page. All bankruptcy cases from Okeechobee County residents go through the Fort Lauderdale Division.
The city of Okeechobee and surrounding unincorporated areas all use the same Fort Lauderdale Division courthouse for bankruptcy filings.
Nearby Counties
Okeechobee County borders several counties in the south-central part of Florida. Check your mailing address to confirm your county. The county determines which division handles your bankruptcy case.