Search Marshall County Bankruptcy Records

Marshall County bankruptcy records are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Plymouth is the county seat, located in the north-central part of the state. The nearest federal court office for bankruptcy filings is in South Bend at 401 South Michigan Street. Residents looking for case filings, discharge orders, or docket entries from Marshall County can search online through PACER or visit the clerk's office in person. The county clerk in Plymouth, Jenny Bennitt, handles state court matters at 211 W Madison St but does not store federal bankruptcy case files.

Marshall County Clerk of Courts

The Marshall County Clerk's office is at 211 W Madison St in Plymouth. Jenny Bennitt serves as clerk. The office handles a broad range of local court records, including filings for circuit court, Superior Court I, II, and III. State-level cases like civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic matters are all processed here. The clerk's office also manages court costs, fines, judgments, and child support records for Marshall County.

While the Plymouth clerk office is a busy place with many responsibilities, it does not store federal bankruptcy records. Those are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana in South Bend. But staff in Plymouth can help you understand which court has the records you need and can direct you to the right federal office for Marshall County bankruptcy filings. If you have a question about whether a state court case ties to a bankruptcy, the clerk's office is a reasonable first stop.

The Marshall County government website has information on the clerk's office and other county departments.

You can find office hours, department contacts, and general county information on this site.

How to Find Marshall County Bankruptcy Filings

The primary tool for searching Marshall County bankruptcy records is PACER. This federal system stores all case files from both Indiana districts. You can search by name or case number. It costs $0.10 per page to view any document, with a $3.00 cap per document. Setting up an account is free and takes a few minutes. Once you log in, search for cases filed in the Northern District of Indiana to find Marshall County bankruptcy records from 2005 to now.

The free phone option is McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. It provides basic case data like the debtor name, filing date, case number, chapter type, trustee, judge, and case status. No login or account is needed. This works well for quick checks on Marshall County filings when you just need to confirm whether a case exists.

In-person access is available at the South Bend office of the Northern District court. Public terminals let you search Marshall County bankruptcy records at no cost. The office is at 401 South Michigan Street. Staff can help with searches and document requests. Bring a photo ID when you visit.

Note: Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, all bankruptcy filings are public records unless sealed by a judge.

Bankruptcy Case Types in Marshall County

Most Marshall County residents who file for bankruptcy choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation case. A trustee reviews your assets and may sell non-exempt property to pay creditors. The filing fee is $338. Under 11 U.S.C. § 109, you must pass a means test. This compares your household income to the Indiana median. If your income is too high, the court may require Chapter 13 instead.

Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan over three to five years. The filing fee is $313. This path lets Marshall County filers keep their home and car while paying down debt on a schedule. Chapter 11 covers business reorganizations and costs $1,738 to file. Chapter 12 applies to family farmers at a $278 fee. Marshall County has a significant agricultural base, so Chapter 12 filings show up more often here than in urban counties. All of these case types produce records that become part of the public file.

Under 11 U.S.C. § 523, some debts cannot be discharged. Child support, most tax debts, and student loans typically survive bankruptcy. These details appear in the case records. If you are reviewing Marshall County bankruptcy files to check on a specific debt, pay attention to the discharge order for a list of what was and was not wiped out.

Public Access to Marshall County Records

Bankruptcy records in Marshall County are public. Anyone can look them up. Federal law under 11 U.S.C. § 107 makes all bankruptcy case papers open for viewing. You do not have to be a party. You do not need to give a reason. This covers every case filed by a Marshall County resident in the Northern District.

Some information gets redacted. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and minor children's names are removed from public filings. A judge can also seal documents under Section 107(b) in rare situations, usually for trade secrets. Indiana's state records law, IC 5-14-3, applies to state and local court records but not federal bankruptcy cases. For state-level Marshall County records, you can search through mycase.in.gov to find civil, criminal, and family cases.

Getting Copies of Marshall County Filings

You can get copies of Marshall County bankruptcy records through PACER for $0.10 per page. Certified copies from the clerk cost $11 per document plus $0.50 per extra page. Exemplified copies run $22 plus $0.50 per page. Audio recordings cost $2.40 per file. These fees are set by the federal courts and apply across both Indiana districts.

For Marshall County bankruptcy cases filed before 2005, contact the South Bend clerk office. Some older records may have been transferred to the National Archives in Chicago. The Indiana State Library can help with historical research if you need to track down an archived case. State court fees in Indiana follow IC 33-37, but federal bankruptcy record fees are on a separate schedule. If you need a fee waiver, file an application with the Northern District clerk.

Cities in Marshall County

Marshall County includes Plymouth, Bremen, Bourbon, Argos, Culver, and LaPaz. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site. All bankruptcy cases from Marshall County go through the Northern District federal court in South Bend. The clerk's office in Plymouth handles local state court matters and can point you to the right federal court for bankruptcy filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marshall County in northern Indiana. All fall under the Northern District for bankruptcy filings. Check your address to make sure you file in the correct county.