Coweta County Bankruptcy Case Records

Coweta County bankruptcy records are maintained by the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Newnan serves as the county seat, and the Northern District actually has a divisional office right in Newnan. That makes Coweta County one of the few counties in Georgia where you can access federal bankruptcy court services without traveling to Atlanta. All bankruptcy filings from Coweta County go through this federal system. The county clerk office handles state court matters but has no role in bankruptcy cases. This page covers online and in-person search methods, the fees you will pay, and the legal details that shape bankruptcy filings in Coweta County.

Coweta County Bankruptcy Court Offices

The Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court has a divisional office in Newnan, the Coweta County seat. The Newnan office address is P.O. Box 2328, Newnan, GA 30264. The phone number is (678) 423-3000. This office has a deputy in charge and handles filings and record requests for Coweta County and nearby areas.

The main courthouse is in Atlanta at 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 1340, Atlanta, GA 30303, phone (404) 215-1000. Vania S. Allen is the clerk of court. Chief Judge Barbara Ellis-Monro leads the district. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Having a local office in Newnan means Coweta County residents can handle many bankruptcy record needs without the drive to Atlanta.

Online Search for Coweta County Records

PACER is the main way to search Coweta County bankruptcy records online. Registration is free. Search by debtor name or case number. Every document in the case appears: petitions, schedules, motions, court orders, meeting notices, and discharge papers. Documents cost $0.10 per page. PACER runs 24 hours a day, so you can search at any time.

Use the PACER Case Locator when you need to search across all federal courts. This tool covers bankruptcy, district, and appellate courts nationwide. Type in a name and see all results. You can save searches and bookmark specific cases.

McVCIS offers free phone access at 1-866-222-8029. The automated system works around the clock. Pick the Northern District, search by name or case number, and get basic details: debtor name, case number, judge, filing date, chapter, attorney, trustee, and status. No documents come through the phone, but it gives you a quick answer on whether a Coweta County case exists.

Fees for Coweta County Bankruptcy Records

PACER charges $0.10 per page for online access. At the Newnan or Atlanta clerk office, public terminals let you view records for free. Printing there costs $0.10 per page. In-person or mail copies run $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document.

If you need a case search and lack a case number, the fee is $34.00. Submit Form B1320 with payment to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Money orders and certified checks work. Cash is accepted in person. The McVCIS phone line is free.

Coweta County Bankruptcy Filing Types

Bankruptcy filings in Coweta County follow the Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 U.S.C. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common. Chapter 7 is liquidation. Non-exempt assets get sold by a trustee, and the debtor receives a discharge of eligible debts. Many Coweta County Chapter 7 cases are no-asset cases that close in a few months.

Chapter 13 lets the debtor keep everything while repaying debts over three to five years. A trustee collects monthly payments and distributes them. Coweta County homeowners who are behind on their mortgage often file Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure and catch up. The debtor must have regular income to qualify.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganizations. Chapter 12 covers family farmers and fishermen. Coweta County sits on the edge of metro Atlanta with some rural areas, so both business and farming cases come through here. All chapters generate public court records.

Note: You cannot file Chapter 7 again within eight years of a prior Chapter 7 discharge.

Georgia Exemptions in Coweta County Cases

Georgia does not allow filers to use federal bankruptcy exemptions. Coweta County residents must use the state list in O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. Homestead protection is $21,500. Married couples can reach $43,000 if the property is in one spouse's name. Vehicles are exempt up to $5,000. Work tools up to $1,500. Jewelry up to $500. Personal property up to $5,000 total, each item under $300.

The wildcard exemption gives $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead. Social Security, unemployment, veterans benefits, workers' compensation per O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, alimony, child support, and retirement accounts are fully exempt. You need 730 days of Georgia residency before you file.

Old Coweta County Cases at NARA

Closed Coweta County cases that have left PACER are at the National Archives and Records Administration. Call the Newnan office at (678) 423-3000 or the Atlanta office at (404) 215-1000 for the accession and location numbers you need to order from NARA. Build in extra time for these requests.

Related Coweta County Records

The Coweta County Superior Court Clerk in Newnan keeps state court records: civil lawsuits, criminal cases, deeds, and liens. The GSCCCA offers statewide search for property and lien records. If a Coweta County bankruptcy involves real property or secured debts, check both GSCCCA and PACER for the complete picture.

The Northern District case information page has local rules, forms, and filing procedures that apply to Coweta County cases.

Nearby Counties

Coweta County is south of Atlanta. Most neighboring counties are also in the Northern District for bankruptcy purposes.