Clark County Bankruptcy Records

Clark County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, New Albany Division. The county sits just north of Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville serves as the county seat. Whether you need to look up a Chapter 7 filing or check the status of a Chapter 13 plan, Clark County bankruptcy case records are open to the public. You can search these records through the federal PACER system or visit the New Albany court office in person. This page covers where to search, what fees to expect, and how the filing process works in Clark County.

How to Search Clark County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main tool for looking up Clark County bankruptcy records. The federal system lets you search by debtor name or case number. It costs $0.10 per page to view or download documents. There is a $3.00 cap per document. If your total charges stay under $30 for the quarter, the court waives them. Registration takes a few minutes, and you can search at any time of day or night.

The McVCIS phone line is a free option. Call (866) 222-8029 to get basic case data for Clark County bankruptcy filings. The automated system reads off the debtor name, case number, filing date, chapter type, trustee name, and case status. You do not need a login or password.

You can also go in person to the New Albany court office. Staff can help you search Clark County bankruptcy records and pull case files. The office has public terminals where you can look up cases at no charge. Bring a photo ID. As provided under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case records are public documents that anyone can view.

Clark County Federal Court Information

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana handles all Clark County bankruptcy filings. The New Albany Division serves Clark County along with several neighboring counties in the southern part of the state. The main office for the Southern District sits in Indianapolis, but the New Albany branch is the closer location for Clark County residents.

The Clark County Clerk at 501 E Court Ave in Jeffersonville handles state court matters. You can call them at (812) 285-6244 for questions about local court records. However, bankruptcy filings are not held at the county level. All Clark County bankruptcy records stay with the federal court system. The clerk can point you to the right federal office if you need help finding a filing.

The Indiana Courts Directory lists contact details for both state and federal courts in the Clark County area. Use it to find phone numbers and addresses before you visit.

This directory can save you time by confirming office hours and locations before you make the trip.

Bankruptcy Filings in Clark County

Chapter 7 is the most filed type in Clark County. It wipes out most unsecured debt. The filing fee is $338. Filers must pass a means test under 11 U.S.C. Section 109 to qualify. The test looks at household income and compares it to the Indiana state median. If income is too high, the court may convert the case to Chapter 13. Most Clark County Chapter 7 cases close within three to four months.

Chapter 13 is the second most common type. It sets up a repayment plan that runs three to five years. The fee is $313. Clark County residents use this chapter to stop foreclosure on a home or keep a car from being repossessed. The debtor makes monthly payments to a trustee who sends the money to creditors. Chapter 11 covers business reorganizations and costs $1,738 to file. Chapter 12 is for family farmers at $278.

Note: Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, some debts like child support and most tax bills cannot be discharged in any chapter of bankruptcy.

Getting Copies of Clark County Records

PACER lets you download Clark County bankruptcy records for $0.10 per page. Certified copies from the clerk cost $11 per document, plus $0.50 for each page after the first. Exemplified copies are $22 per document. Audio recordings of court hearings cost $2.40 each. These are the standard fees set by the Judicial Conference for all federal courts.

For older Clark County bankruptcy records, you may need to check with the National Archives. Cases filed before the mid-2000s might have been moved to the Chicago branch of the National Archives for long-term storage. The New Albany clerk office can tell you if a specific case has been archived and how to get copies from that location.

When 11 U.S.C. Section 362 comes into play, an automatic stay goes into effect the moment a bankruptcy case is filed. This stay stops most collection actions. If you are searching Clark County bankruptcy records to check on a debtor's case, the stay could affect your ability to pursue a debt during the case. The filing itself will show up in the PACER system right away.

Online Tools for Clark County Searches

Two systems handle different parts of the court record picture for Clark County. PACER covers federal cases, and that is where you find bankruptcy filings. The mycase.in.gov portal covers Indiana state court records. State records include civil, criminal, and family law cases. But state records do not include bankruptcy filings at all.

The mycase.in.gov system is still useful if you want to check on other Clark County court matters beyond bankruptcy.

The Indiana State Library also provides research tools. They keep historical records and can help with older cases that may not appear in the online systems. For Clark County bankruptcy records specifically, PACER remains the best starting point for any search.

Cities in Clark County

Clark County includes Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and Sellersburg among other communities. All residents file bankruptcy through the Southern District office in New Albany. The county clerk at 501 E Court Ave in Jeffersonville handles state court records but not federal bankruptcy filings.

Other communities like Sellersburg, Borden, and Charlestown also file through the same New Albany federal court office for bankruptcy cases.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clark County. All fall under the Southern District of Indiana for bankruptcy case filings.