Clinch County Bankruptcy Records

Clinch County bankruptcy records fall under the jurisdiction of the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Homerville is the county seat. This is a small, rural county in south Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp. Like every county in Georgia, bankruptcy filings here are federal, not state or local. The Clinch County courthouse has no role in bankruptcy matters. The Middle District holds hearings in Valdosta, which is the closest hearing location for Clinch County residents, though the Valdosta office is staffed only when court is in session. For daily needs, the Macon office handles most work. Here is everything you need to know about finding and accessing Clinch County bankruptcy records.

Federal Court for Clinch County Cases

The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court covers Clinch County. The regularly staffed offices are in Macon at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201, phone 478-752-3506, and in Columbus at 901 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31902, phone 706-649-7837. The Valdosta hearing office at 401 North Patterson Street has hearings from time to time but is not staffed daily.

For Clinch County case filings and record requests, the Macon office is the main point of contact. Mail filings and correspondence there. Chief Judge Austin E. Carter leads the Middle District, and Kyle George serves as clerk.

Searching Clinch County Bankruptcy Records

The PACER system is the fastest way to search for Clinch County bankruptcy records. Register for a free account, then look up cases by debtor name or case number. Every document in a Clinch County bankruptcy case is in there: petitions, schedules, motions, orders, and discharges. Cost is $0.10 per page to access documents. PACER runs around the clock.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. This is the right tool when you are not sure which court handled a particular case. For a free option that does not need a computer, call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029. This automated system gives basic case info 24 hours a day: debtor name, case number, judge, filing date, chapter, attorney, trustee, and status. Pick the Middle District of Georgia when prompted.

Clinch County Bankruptcy Filing Types

Federal law under 11 U.S.C. controls all bankruptcy filings in Clinch County. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the main ones for individuals. Chapter 7 is liquidation, where a trustee sells non-exempt assets and the remaining debts get discharged. Most people in a small county like Clinch who file Chapter 7 have no assets above the exemption limits.

Chapter 13 lets you keep your property. You pay back debts through a plan over three to five years. A trustee handles the payments. Chapter 12 may also come up in Clinch County. It is for family farmers and fishermen who need to restructure their debts while keeping their land and operations. All four main chapters create court records that are public and searchable.

Record Fees for Clinch County Cases

PACER online access: $0.10 per page. Public terminals at the clerk office: free to view, $0.10 per page to print. In-person or mail copies: $0.50 per page. Certified copies: $12.00 extra per document. Court search without a case number: $34.00 via Form B1320.

Make checks payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Money orders and certified checks are the standard methods. Cash works for in-person transactions. The McVCIS phone system is free.

Georgia Exemptions in Clinch County

Georgia opted out of the federal exemption scheme. Clinch County filers use state exemptions under O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption protects $21,500 in home equity. A vehicle is exempt up to $5,000. Work tools up to $1,500. Jewelry up to $500. Personal property up to $5,000 total with a $300 cap per item. The wildcard adds $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead.

Fully exempt income includes Social Security, veterans benefits, workers' compensation (O.C.G.A. 34-9-84), unemployment, alimony, and child support. Retirement accounts are protected. To use Georgia exemptions, you must have lived in the state for at least 730 days before filing. For Clinch County residents who moved in recently from another state, the old state's exemptions may apply instead.

Old Clinch County Cases

Closed cases that no longer show up on PACER have been sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. Call the Middle District clerk at 478-752-3506 for the NARA reference numbers. Once you have the accession number, location number, and box number, you can order copies directly from NARA. This process takes more time than pulling records from PACER.

Note: Allow extra time for NARA requests, especially if you have a deadline.

Clinch County Related Court Records

State records for Clinch County are at the Superior Court Clerk in Homerville. These cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, property deeds, and liens. The GSCCCA has a statewide search for property records and lien filings. Checking these alongside federal bankruptcy records from Clinch County can be useful when real estate or secured debts are part of a case.

For Middle District filing rules and procedures, see the court information page.

Nearby Counties

Clinch County is in south Georgia. Some of its neighbors are in the Middle District, while others fall in the Southern District.