Palm Beach County Bankruptcy Record Search
Palm Beach County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. With over 1.5 million residents, Palm Beach is one of the largest counties in the state and sees a high volume of bankruptcy filings. The federal courthouse is right in West Palm Beach, making it convenient for county residents. You can search these records through PACER online, call the VCIS phone line for free case status checks, or visit the courthouse in person. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court also maintains local civil records that often tie to bankruptcy cases.
Palm Beach County Quick Facts
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court
Joseph Abruzzo is the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 301 North Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach. This office does not handle bankruptcy petitions. Those are federal filings that go to the bankruptcy court. But the clerk keeps a large collection of civil case records, recorded documents, and judgment liens. Foreclosures, debt collection suits, and property matters in Palm Beach County all go through this office.
Call (561) 355-2996 to reach the clerk. The office is open Monday through Friday. The Palm Beach County Clerk website has strong online tools for searching court records, official records, and case documents. You can look up civil cases, check recorded liens, and view court schedules from your computer. These records don't replace the federal bankruptcy file, but they show what was happening at the local level before, during, and after a bankruptcy case.
The screenshot below shows the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court pro se resources page. Visit it at flsb.uscourts.gov.
The pro se page has self-help guides and forms for people filing without an attorney in Palm Beach County and other Southern District locations.
| Clerk | Joseph Abruzzo |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 North Olive Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
Palm Beach Bankruptcy Court
All bankruptcy cases from Palm Beach County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. The courthouse address is 1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Call (561) 514-4100 for court information. The Southern District court website has forms, local rules, and filing instructions.
Having the bankruptcy court right in the county seat is a real advantage for Palm Beach County residents. You can file in person, attend hearings, and visit the clerk's office without a long drive. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you file in the district where you live. Palm Beach County uses the West Palm Beach Division. Multiple bankruptcy judges are assigned to this division given the large caseload.
Trustees manage each case. Chapter 7 trustees review assets and handle liquidation of nonexempt property. Chapter 13 trustees collect monthly payments and distribute them to creditors. Palm Beach County's large population means the trustees here carry a heavy workload.
Search Palm Beach Bankruptcy Records
You have three ways to search Palm Beach County bankruptcy records. Online through PACER. Free by phone through VCIS. Or in person at the courthouse.
PACER is the federal electronic records system used by all courts nationwide. Set up a free account, then search the Southern District of Florida for Palm Beach County cases. You can search by name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If you use under $30 in a quarter, you pay nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, these records are open to the public.
Call 1-866-222-8029 to use the Voice Case Information System. It is free and runs all day. The system tells you whether a case exists, the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. No account needed. VCIS is useful for quick checks on Palm Beach County cases when you don't need the full documents.
The West Palm Beach courthouse at 1515 North Flagler Drive has public terminals where you can search and view case files during business hours. Staff at the clerk's window help with finding and copying specific documents. Since the court is in West Palm Beach, it is an easy visit for most Palm Beach County residents.
Bankruptcy Filing in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County residents file with the West Palm Beach Division. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts. The filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 lets you pay debts through a plan over three to five years. That fee is $313. The court accepts installment payments if you can't cover the full amount at once.
Credit counseling is required before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved providers. Without the counseling certificate, the court rejects your petition. Gather your tax returns for two years, recent pay stubs, bank records, and a detailed list of debts and assets. File everything at the West Palm Beach Division court.
Filing activates the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors must halt all collection activities right away. No calls, no lawsuits, no garnishments, no foreclosure actions. The court schedules a meeting of creditors within 30 to 45 days. You must attend. All official forms are available on the U.S. Courts website.
Palm Beach County has a large number of bankruptcy attorneys. Many offer free initial meetings. Even if you plan to file on your own, a brief consultation can help you avoid common mistakes that delay or hurt your case.
Palm Beach County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents across the state. They serve Palm Beach County and can help with bankruptcy questions, document preparation, and evaluating your options.
The Florida Bar runs a referral service. You pay a small fee for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in the Palm Beach area. The Palm Beach County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral program. Many attorneys in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach handle bankruptcy cases regularly. Pro se filers can use the self-help resources on the Southern District website to work through the process step by step.
A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 frees you from most personal debts. Certain debts do not go away. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, student loans, child support, alimony, and recent taxes survive bankruptcy. Understanding which debts qualify and which don't is one of the main reasons to talk to a lawyer before filing in Palm Beach County.
Cities in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County has many cities and towns. All bankruptcy filings from the county go through the West Palm Beach Division, no matter which city you live in.
Other communities in Palm Beach County include Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, and Royal Palm Beach. Residents of these areas also file through the same West Palm Beach Division court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Palm Beach County. All are in the Southern District of Florida. If you live near a county line, verify which county your address falls in before filing.