Cass County Bankruptcy Records Lookup

Cass County bankruptcy records are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Logansport is the county seat, located in north-central Indiana where the Eel and Wabash rivers meet. Residents who need to look up bankruptcy case filings from Cass County can use the PACER federal database or contact the Northern District court. The Cass County Clerk in Logansport deals with state court records, not federal bankruptcy cases. This page covers how to access Cass County bankruptcy records, what search tools exist, and where to go for copies of case documents.

How to Search Cass County Bankruptcy Filings

The PACER system is the best tool for finding Cass County bankruptcy records online. PACER is the federal database that holds all bankruptcy case files from courts across the country. You can search by debtor name or case number. Viewing documents costs $0.10 per page. There is a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly totals under $30 are waived.

Free phone access is available through McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. Call any time to hear basic case data for Cass County bankruptcy filings. The system gives the debtor name, case number, chapter type, filing date, trustee, and status. No account is needed.

In-person searches can be done at any Northern District office. The Lafayette hearing location is closest to Cass County but has limited hours. South Bend at 401 South Michigan Street has the main office. Fort Wayne and Hammond also offer full services. Walk in to use public terminals and search Cass County bankruptcy records at no cost.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all these records are public. You can search without being part of the case.

Cass County Federal Bankruptcy Court

Cass County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The Northern District covers the top half of the state. It has offices in South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Hammond, plus a hearing location in Lafayette. Cass County residents file bankruptcy petitions through this court system.

The Cass County Clerk at 200 Court Park in Logansport manages state court business. You can call them at (574) 753-7740. They handle civil suits, criminal cases, and property matters at the state level. Federal bankruptcy records from Cass County are not stored there. Contact the Northern District at (574) 968-2265 for help with bankruptcy case files.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, an automatic stay goes into effect the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed. This stops most collection actions against the debtor. Creditors looking to verify a Cass County bankruptcy filing can check PACER for instant confirmation.

Types of Bankruptcy in Cass County

Most Cass County bankruptcy filings are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 cases. Chapter 7 is a liquidation process. The fee is $338. A trustee sells non-exempt property to pay creditors. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, filers need to pass a means test based on Indiana income levels. Chapter 7 cases in Cass County typically close in three to four months.

Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan. The fee is $313. Payments run for three to five years. This works for Cass County residents who want to keep their property while catching up on missed payments. Chapter 11 covers business reorganizations at $1,738. Chapter 12 is for family farmers at $278. Each type creates records that stay in the public file.

The complete federal bankruptcy code spells out the rules for each chapter and what debts can or cannot be discharged. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, most taxes, and student loans survive bankruptcy in all chapter types.

Note: Cass County has a mix of urban and rural areas, so filings range from personal consumer cases in Logansport to farm-related Chapter 12 cases outside the city.

Public Access to Cass County Case Records

All bankruptcy records are public. Federal law says so. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, anyone can view papers filed in a bankruptcy case. You do not have to be a party or creditor. This covers every Cass County bankruptcy filing in the Northern District.

The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains access for state court records.

Bankruptcy records follow federal rules, not Indiana state access rules.

Certain data is redacted from public filings. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and info about minors are removed. A judge can seal documents under Section 107(b) in rare cases. Indiana's public records act, IC 5-14-3, covers state records but not federal bankruptcy filings from Cass County.

Copies of Cass County Bankruptcy Records

PACER charges $0.10 per page to view and print documents. Certified copies from the clerk are $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. These fees are standard for all Cass County bankruptcy records.

Older cases from before 2005 may not be online. Contact the Northern District clerk to find archived Cass County bankruptcy files. Some have been sent to the National Archives in Chicago. The Indiana State Library can help with historical research. The mycase.in.gov portal handles state court records for Cass County but not bankruptcy filings. State fees follow IC 33-37. Federal fees are separate.

Fee waivers are available. If you meet income limits, fill out the waiver form and submit it to the Northern District clerk. The Indiana Courts Directory can help you find the right phone number or address for your request.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Cass County in north-central Indiana. All are part of the Northern District for bankruptcy purposes.