Cook County Bankruptcy Records Lookup

Cook County bankruptcy records go through the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Adel is the county seat. This south Georgia county is rural, and like every other county in the state, its bankruptcy cases are handled by the federal court system. The Cook County courthouse does not keep or process bankruptcy filings. The Middle District holds hearings in nearby Valdosta when the court calendar calls for it, though that office is staffed only on hearing days. For regular access to Cook County bankruptcy records, the Macon office is where most requests go. Below is a full breakdown of search methods, fee details, and the legal framework that affects Cook County filers.

Federal Court Serving Cook County

The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court has jurisdiction over Cook County. The primary staffed offices are in Macon at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201, phone 478-752-3506, and Columbus at 901 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31902, phone 706-649-7837. The Valdosta hearing location at 401 North Patterson Street holds court from time to time but is not staffed on a regular basis.

Mail all filings and written requests for Cook County cases to the Macon office. Chief Judge Austin E. Carter oversees the district. Kyle George is the clerk of court. Both staffed offices are open Monday through Friday and can assist with record requests in person.

How to Search Cook County Bankruptcy Records

Start with PACER. This is the federal court system's online records portal. Sign up for free, then search by debtor name or case number. All documents in a Cook County bankruptcy case are available through PACER: the petition, schedules, motions, orders, and the discharge or dismissal. It costs $0.10 per page and works 24 hours a day.

The PACER Case Locator is good for searching all federal courts at once. Use it when you know a name but not the court. For phone access, call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029. It is free and automated. Choose the Middle District, then look up a case by name or number. You get the filing date, chapter, judge, attorney, trustee, and case status.

Cook County Bankruptcy Record Fees

Online access through PACER is $0.10 per page. Viewing at the clerk office public terminals costs nothing. Printing from those terminals is $0.10 per page. Copies by mail or in person run $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document.

If you need the court to search for a Cook County case and you do not have a case number, that costs $34.00. File Form B1320 with payment. Make checks to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash works in person at the office.

Note: The McVCIS phone line is always free.

Bankruptcy Types Filed in Cook County

All Cook County bankruptcy filings fall under Title 11 of the U.S. Code. Chapter 7 is the most common for individuals. It is a liquidation process. A trustee sells non-exempt property, and the debtor's qualifying debts get discharged. Most Chapter 7 cases in Cook County are no-asset cases, meaning there is nothing to sell.

Chapter 13 lets the debtor repay debts over three to five years while keeping all their property. A trustee handles the monthly payments. This is useful for Cook County homeowners trying to catch up on a mortgage. Chapter 12 covers family farmers and fishermen, a chapter that matters in agricultural areas like Cook County. Chapter 11 is for businesses seeking to reorganize debts.

Refiling limits exist under federal law. You cannot get a new Chapter 7 discharge within eight years. Chapter 13 can follow a Chapter 7 after four years. Two years must pass between Chapter 13 filings.

Georgia Exemptions for Cook County

Georgia opted out of federal bankruptcy exemptions. Cook County filers must use the state list under O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption is $21,500. A motor vehicle is protected up to $5,000. Tools of the trade are covered up to $1,500. Jewelry is exempt up to $500. Personal property is exempt up to $5,000 total with a $300 cap per item.

The wildcard exemption allows $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead exemption. 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 safe. To use Georgia exemptions, you need 730 days of residency in the state before your filing date.

Old Cook County Bankruptcy Cases

Closed cases that no longer appear on PACER have been sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. Contact the Middle District clerk at 478-752-3506 for the NARA reference details: case number, accession number, location number, and box number. Order copies directly from NARA after getting those numbers. The process takes more time than online searches, so start early if you need old Cook County records.

Related Cook County Court Records

State records for Cook County are at the Superior Court Clerk in Adel. Civil cases, criminal records, deeds, and liens are all stored there. The GSCCCA has an online search for property records and lien filings across Georgia. If a Cook County bankruptcy involves real estate, checking GSCCCA alongside PACER gives a more complete view of the debtor's situation.

For Middle District local rules and court procedures, check the court information page.

Nearby Counties

Cook County sits in south Georgia. Its neighbors are all in the Middle District for bankruptcy filings.