Bleckley County Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records from Bleckley County are federal documents maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The county seat is Cochran, but the local courthouse has no role in bankruptcy proceedings. All case filings, docket entries, court orders, and related documents for Bleckley County residents go through the federal court in Macon. Searching these records is possible online through PACER, over the phone with the free McVCIS line, or in person at the federal clerk office in Macon.

Bankruptcy Case Types in Bleckley County

Most Bleckley County bankruptcy filings are either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 cases. Chapter 7 is the liquidation path. Non-exempt property gets sold to pay creditors, then remaining eligible debts are wiped out. It is quick, usually done in three to four months. A means test under 11 U.S.C. decides who qualifies.

Chapter 13 works for people with regular income who want to keep their property. You pay back debts over three to five years through a plan approved by the court. This is the way to go for Bleckley County filers who are behind on a mortgage or car payment. Chapter 12 is available for family farmers and fishermen. Chapter 11 handles business reorganizations. Each case type creates public records stored at the federal court.

Middle District Court for Bleckley County

The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court handles all Bleckley County cases. The main office is at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Phone: 478-752-3506. Macon is close to Bleckley County, making in-person visits practical for Cochran residents.

Chief Judge Austin E. Carter and Clerk Kyle George oversee the court. A second staffed office sits in Columbus. The Middle District also holds hearings at various locations across its 69-county territory, but only Macon and Columbus have regular staff. All new filings from Bleckley County should be mailed to Macon. Check the court info page for hours and directions.

Searching Bleckley County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main search tool. Registration is free. Search by name or case number in the Middle District database. PACER returns the full docket, all filed papers, and real-time case status for any Bleckley County filing. The cost is $0.10 per page with a cap of $3.00 for documents up to 30 pages.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. Use it when you are not sure which district has a particular bankruptcy case connected to Bleckley County. Type a name and see every match across the country.

McVCIS is the free alternative. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The automated voice system tells you the debtor name, case number, chapter, judge, trustee, filing date, and case status. Select the Middle District from the menu for Bleckley County cases.

Note: Public terminals at the Macon clerk office allow free viewing of Bleckley County records.

Bleckley County Bankruptcy Exemptions

Georgia does not use the federal exemption system. O.C.G.A. 44-13-100 sets what Bleckley County filers can keep. Key exemptions include:

• Homestead: $21,500 (up to $43,000 for some married couples)
• Motor vehicle: $5,000
• Personal property: $5,000 total, no item above $300
• Jewelry: $500
• Tools of the trade: $1,500
• Wildcard: $1,200 plus unused homestead up to $10,000

Workers compensation is fully exempt under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84. Social Security, unemployment, veterans benefits, alimony, and child support are all protected with no dollar cap. Retirement funds in 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and pension accounts cannot be taken. The 730-day residency rule means Bleckley County residents must have lived in Georgia for two years to use these state exemptions in a bankruptcy.

Fees for Bleckley County Records

PACER online: $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per single document of 30 pages or less. Public terminal viewing: free. Printing at terminals: $0.10. Mail or in-person copies: $0.50 per page. Certified copies: $12.00 extra. Records search without a case number: $34.00 through Form B1320. McVCIS: completely free.

Pay the court with a money order or certified check made out to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash is accepted only for in-person transactions at the Macon office.

Bleckley County Clerk and State Records

The Bleckley County Clerk of Superior Court in Cochran handles state-level records. Civil lawsuits, criminal cases, property deeds, and lien filings are maintained here. These are not bankruptcy records, but they can connect. A deed transfer or judgment lien in Bleckley County might show up in a debtor's bankruptcy schedules. Search state records through the GSCCCA portal for Georgia-wide access.

The screenshot below shows the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court homepage, the federal court responsible for Bleckley County cases.

Use this site for filing instructions, fee schedules, and contact information for the court that serves Bleckley County.

Archived Bleckley County Records

Closed cases from Bleckley County eventually move to the National Archives (NARA). To get copies, first call the Macon clerk at 478-752-3506 for accession and box numbers. Then place your order with NARA directly. Expect several weeks for delivery. Active and recently closed cases stay on PACER and don't need a NARA request.

Nearby Counties

Bleckley County is in central Georgia, not far from Macon. These adjacent counties are within the Middle District for bankruptcy purposes.