Adams County Bankruptcy Records

Adams County bankruptcy records are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The county seat is Decatur, a small city in the northeast part of the state. Residents who need to search bankruptcy filings from Adams County can use the federal PACER system or visit the Fort Wayne court office in person. The county clerk in Decatur does not hold bankruptcy case files since those are federal court records. This page explains how to find Adams County bankruptcy records, what tools are open to the public, and where to go for help with your search.

Searching Adams County Bankruptcy Filings

The main way to look up Adams County bankruptcy records is through PACER. This is the federal system that holds all bankruptcy case files from both Indiana districts. You can search by name or case number. It costs $0.10 per page to view documents. Registration is free. PACER runs all day, every day, so you can search Adams County bankruptcy filings from home at any time.

You can also call the McVCIS phone line at (866) 222-8029. This free service gives basic case data like the debtor name, case number, filing date, and case status. It covers all Adams County bankruptcy records in the Northern District. No account is needed to use the phone line.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them. You do not need to be part of the case or give a reason for your search. This applies to all Adams County bankruptcy filings going back to 2005 on PACER. Older cases may be stored at the National Archives in Chicago.

Adams County Federal Court Access

Adams County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The closest office is in Fort Wayne at 1300 South Harrison Street. This is where Adams County residents file bankruptcy petitions and where the court keeps local case records. The Fort Wayne office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you find cases and get copies of documents.

The Northern District court site has forms, filing guides, and local rules that apply to Adams County cases.

You can download petition forms and check local court rules on this site before filing in Adams County.

The Fort Wayne office also has public computer terminals. Walk in and use them to search Adams County bankruptcy records at no cost. Bring a valid ID. If you need printed copies, the clerk charges a fee per page. Certified copies of Adams County bankruptcy filings cost $11 per document plus $0.50 per page after that.

Note: The Adams County Clerk at 112 S 2nd St in Decatur handles state court matters but does not store federal bankruptcy case files.

Bankruptcy Case Types in Adams County

Most Adams County bankruptcy filings fall under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation case. A trustee sells non-exempt assets to pay creditors. The filing fee is $338. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must pass a means test to file Chapter 7 in Adams County. The test checks your income against the Indiana state median. If you earn too much, you may need to file Chapter 13 instead.

Chapter 13 lets people with steady income set up a payment plan over three to five years. The filing fee is $313. This works well for Adams County residents who want to keep a home or car while paying down debt. Chapter 11 is for business cases. It costs $1,738 to file. Chapter 12 serves family farmers at a $278 fee. Adams County has a strong farming base, so Chapter 12 filings do come up here from time to time.

The full text of Title 11 of the United States Code lays out the rules for each chapter type.

Each chapter has its own rules for who can file and what debts can be discharged.

Are Adams County Bankruptcy Records Public

Yes. All bankruptcy records are public under federal law. Section 107 of Title 11 says any person can look at papers filed in a bankruptcy case. You do not have to be a creditor or a party. This rule applies to every Adams County bankruptcy filing in the Northern District.

Some limits do exist. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and details about minor children are redacted from public filings. A judge can also seal specific documents under 11 U.S.C. Section 107(b) if trade secrets or other sensitive data are at risk. Sealed records in Adams County bankruptcy cases are rare. Indiana's state public records law, IC 5-14-3, covers state and local records but does not apply to federal bankruptcy filings.

Note: Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, an automatic stay takes effect the moment a bankruptcy case is filed in Adams County, which halts most collection actions against the debtor.

Getting Adams County Bankruptcy Record Copies

There are a few ways to get copies of Adams County bankruptcy records. Through PACER, you can view and print documents at $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. A certified copy from the clerk costs $11 per document plus $0.50 per page. An exemplified copy runs $22 per document plus $0.50 per page. Audio files of hearings cost $2.40 each.

The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains state court access rules, though bankruptcy cases follow federal rules instead.

State courts use a separate system from the federal bankruptcy courts that serve Adams County.

For older Adams County bankruptcy records filed before 2005, contact the Fort Wayne clerk office. Some of those files have been sent to the National Archives facility in Chicago. The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis can also help point you in the right direction for archived case files. If you cannot afford fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver by filing the right form with the Northern District clerk.

Adams County Court Resources

The Adams County Clerk of Courts is at 112 S 2nd St in Decatur, IN 46733. You can reach them at (260) 724-2602. This office handles state court matters like civil cases, small claims, and property records. They do not keep bankruptcy records. But the clerk can point you to the right federal court for Adams County bankruptcy filings and help with related state court records.

The mycase.in.gov portal lets you search Adams County state court cases online.

This tool covers civil, criminal, and family cases but does not include bankruptcy records.

Indiana court fees for state matters are set under IC 33-37. Federal bankruptcy fees follow a different schedule set by the Judicial Conference of the United States. The Indiana Courts Directory lists all court offices in the state and can help you find the right contact for Adams County.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, some debts like child support, certain tax bills, and student loans survive a bankruptcy discharge. If you are looking at Adams County bankruptcy records to check on a specific debt, keep this rule in mind. Not all debts listed in a case file end up being wiped out.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Adams County in northeast Indiana. All of them fall under the Northern District for bankruptcy filings. If you are not sure which county covers your address, check with the clerk before filing.