Coffee County Bankruptcy Filings

Coffee County bankruptcy records are handled by the Southern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Douglas is the county seat. This south-central Georgia county is served by the federal court system for all bankruptcy matters. The Coffee County courthouse does not store or process bankruptcy filings. Whether you need to look up a Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or any other type of bankruptcy case from Coffee County, you will use the federal tools and offices described on this page. The Southern District has a hearing office in Dublin that is relatively close to Coffee County, though it is not always staffed. Online access through PACER is the simplest way to get to these records anytime.

Southern District Court for Coffee County

The Southern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court covers Coffee County and 42 other counties in the southeastern part of the state. Chief Judge Michele J. Kim oversees the district. Dana M. Wilson is the clerk of court.

Staffed offices are in Savannah at 124 Barnard Street, phone (912) 650-4100; Augusta at 600 James Brown Blvd, phone (706) 823-6000; and Brunswick at 801 Gloucester Street, phone (912) 280-1376. The Dublin office at 100 North Franklin Street is closer to Coffee County, but it is not always staffed. If you plan to visit Dublin, call one of the main offices first to confirm the schedule. For filing and record requests, use the Savannah or Augusta office.

How to Find Coffee County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary search tool. It is an online portal for all federal court records. Create a free account, then search by debtor name or case number. Everything in a Coffee County bankruptcy case file is accessible: the petition, financial schedules, motions, orders, and the final outcome. Documents cost $0.10 per page. PACER is available at any time of day.

Use the PACER Case Locator for a search across all federal courts. Good for when you know a name but not the court. McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029 is free and works 24 hours a day. Select the Southern District of Georgia, then search by name or case number. You get the basics: debtor name, case number, judge, filing date, chapter, attorney, trustee, and status.

Note: McVCIS gives general info only. It is not a substitute for the official court record.

Fees for Coffee County Court Records

PACER charges $0.10 per page for online access. Viewing at the clerk office on public terminals is free. Printing from those terminals is $0.10 per page. If you request copies in person or by mail, the fee is $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $12.00 per document.

A court search without a case number runs $34.00. Submit Form B1320 with your payment. Checks and money orders go to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash is accepted at the office window.

Coffee County Bankruptcy Case Types

Filings from Coffee County follow the Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 U.S.C. Most individual cases are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation. The trustee sells non-exempt property and distributes the money. Many Coffee County Chapter 7 cases have no assets to sell, making them quick cases. The debtor gets a fresh start with most debts discharged.

Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan over three to five years. The debtor keeps property and pays a trustee each month. This works well for Coffee County residents who want to save a home from foreclosure or catch up on a vehicle loan. Chapter 12 may apply for family farmers in this part of Georgia, where agriculture plays a significant role. Chapter 11 business filings also occur, though less frequently.

Georgia Exemptions for Coffee County

Georgia uses its own exemptions, not federal ones. Coffee County filers follow O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption covers $21,500 in equity. A car is exempt up to $5,000. Work tools are protected up to $1,500. Jewelry is covered up to $500. Personal property is exempt up to $5,000 total, with each item under $300.

The wildcard exemption allows $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead. Social Security, veterans benefits, workers' compensation (O.C.G.A. 34-9-84), unemployment, alimony, and child support are fully exempt. Retirement accounts like 401(k) plans and IRAs are also safe. You must live in Georgia for at least 730 days before filing to use these exemptions.

Archived Coffee County Cases

Very old Coffee County bankruptcy cases that are no longer on PACER have been transferred to the National Archives. To order copies, you need the case number, accession number, location number, and box number. Call the Southern District clerk at (912) 650-4100 to get these details. The NARA ordering process takes longer than standard PACER access, so build in extra time if you need archived records.

Coffee County Related Records

State court records for Coffee County are at the Superior Court Clerk in Douglas. These include civil cases, criminal records, property deeds, and liens. The GSCCCA provides an online search for deed and lien records statewide. When a Coffee County bankruptcy involves property or secured debts, comparing GSCCCA records with the federal docket gives a clearer view.

The Southern District case information page has filing guides, local rules, and resources for anyone working with Coffee County bankruptcy records.

Nearby Counties

Coffee County is in south-central Georgia. Several surrounding counties are in the Southern District, while others fall in the Middle District.