Boone County Bankruptcy Records

Boone County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Lebanon is the county seat, and the county sits just northwest of Indianapolis in one of the state's fastest-growing areas. Residents searching for bankruptcy case filings from Boone County can use the federal PACER system online or contact the Indianapolis court office directly. The Boone County Clerk handles state matters but not federal bankruptcy cases. This page explains how to look up Boone County bankruptcy records, where to find them, and what to expect during the process.

How to Search Boone County Bankruptcy Cases

The PACER database is the primary tool for looking up Boone County bankruptcy records. PACER stores all federal court filings including bankruptcy cases from the Southern District of Indiana. You can search by debtor name or case number. Documents cost $0.10 per page to view, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly total is under $30, fees are waived. Signing up for PACER is free.

Free phone access is available through McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. The automated line gives you basic case details like the debtor name, filing date, case number, chapter type, and status. It covers all Boone County bankruptcy filings in the Southern District. No login or account is required to use the phone system.

You can walk into the Southern District office at 46 E Ohio St, Room 116 in Indianapolis. It is a short drive from Boone County. Public terminals there let you search bankruptcy records for free. Clerk staff can pull case files and make copies. The office is open Monday through Friday. Call (317) 229-3800 before visiting to check hours.

Boone County Federal Bankruptcy Court

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana handles all Boone County bankruptcy filings. The Southern District has offices in Indianapolis, Evansville, New Albany, and Terre Haute. Boone County cases go through the Indianapolis office because of its close location. Four judges serve the Southern District.

The Boone County Clerk of Courts is at 212 Courthouse Square in Lebanon. Call (765) 482-3510 for state court matters. This office handles civil cases, property records, and family law at the state level. It does not keep federal bankruptcy case records. For Boone County bankruptcy filings, you need to use the federal court or PACER.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search Boone County bankruptcy cases without giving a reason. The court also offers electronic services like eSR for people filing without a lawyer and EBN for creditor email notices.

Bankruptcy Case Types in Boone County

Chapter 7 liquidation is the most common filing type in Boone County. A trustee sells non-exempt property to pay creditors. The fee to file is $338. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, filers must pass a means test based on the Indiana median income. Most Chapter 7 cases close in about four months. This is the fastest path to a fresh start for many Boone County residents who qualify.

Chapter 13 lets people with regular income create a repayment plan. The filing fee is $313. Payments last three to five years. This is a good option if you want to keep a house or car in Boone County while paying off debt. Chapter 11 is for businesses looking to reorganize. It costs $1,738. Chapter 12 covers family farmers at $278. Each chapter type creates case records that become part of the public file.

The full text of Title 11 of the United States Code covers all the rules that apply to Boone County bankruptcy filings.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, debts like child support and certain tax bills cannot be discharged.

Public Access to Boone County Filings

Bankruptcy records are public under federal law. Section 107 of Title 11 makes all papers filed in a bankruptcy case open to the public. You do not need to be a creditor or party. This applies to every Boone County bankruptcy case.

The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains access rules for state court records, which are separate from federal bankruptcy access rules.

State courts and federal bankruptcy courts operate under different systems and different access rules.

Some data is redacted from public bankruptcy filings. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and details about minors are removed. A judge can seal documents under 11 U.S.C. Section 107(b) in rare situations. Sealed records in Boone County cases are uncommon. Indiana's IC 5-14-3 governs state records access but does not apply to federal bankruptcy filings.

Note: Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, an automatic stay takes effect when a bankruptcy case is filed, stopping most collection efforts against the debtor in Boone County.

Boone County Bankruptcy Record Copies

PACER is the fastest way to get copies. Documents cost $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap. Certified copies from the clerk run $11 per document plus $0.50 per page. Exemplified copies cost $22 per document plus $0.50 per page. Hearing audio files are $2.40 each.

Older Boone County bankruptcy records filed before 2005 may not be on PACER. Contact the Indianapolis clerk office to find archived files. Some may be at the National Archives in Chicago. The Indiana State Library can help with research on older cases. The mycase.in.gov portal handles state court searches for Boone County but does not include bankruptcy records. State copy fees fall under IC 33-37, while federal fees follow a different schedule.

Cities in Boone County

Boone County includes Lebanon, Zionsville, and several growing suburbs northwest of Indianapolis. All residents file bankruptcy through the Southern District of Indiana at the Indianapolis office.

Other communities in Boone County include Lebanon, Whitestown, and Thorntown. All use the same Southern District court for bankruptcy filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Boone County northwest of Indianapolis. Check your address to confirm which county handles your filing.