Lowndes County Bankruptcy Records

Lowndes County bankruptcy records are held by the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Valdosta, the county seat and largest city, has a federal hearing office that hosts bankruptcy proceedings on a scheduled basis. This gives Lowndes County residents closer access to the court than many south Georgia counties have. All bankruptcy cases filed by Lowndes County residents are federal matters, separate from the state court system in Valdosta. Here is a full guide to searching Lowndes County bankruptcy records online, by phone, and in person, along with fees and filing details.

Federal Bankruptcy Court for Lowndes County

The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court processes all Lowndes County bankruptcy filings. The main staffed office is in Macon at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 (phone: 478-752-3506). Columbus at 901 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31902 is the other staffed office (phone: 706-649-7837). Kyle George is the Clerk and Chief Judge Austin E. Carter leads the court.

Valdosta has a hearing location at the U.S. Courthouse, 401 N. Patterson Street. This is a major convenience for Lowndes County residents. Bankruptcy hearings for local cases often take place here, which means you may not need to drive to Macon for every court appearance. However, the Valdosta office is staffed only when hearings are in session. You cannot walk in to file papers or request copies on a regular day. All filings and correspondence should go to Macon.

Note: Only the Macon and Columbus offices are regularly staffed for counter service and records requests.

How to Search Lowndes County Bankruptcy Records

The fastest way to search is PACER. Create a free account and search the Middle District by debtor name or case number. Every filing appears in the case docket. The cost is $0.10 per page for viewing or downloading documents. PACER runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The PACER Case Locator is helpful when you do not know the district. It searches every federal bankruptcy court across the country. One name search returns all matching cases. Bookmark results and save frequent searches. This tool matters for Lowndes County because some residents near the Florida border may have had prior filings in that state.

Call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029 for a free alternative. Select the Middle District from the menu. Enter a name or case number. The system gives you the debtor name, case number, assigned judge, filing date, chapter, and case status. Available all day, every day. Documents are not provided through the phone, but it confirms whether a Lowndes County filing is in the system.

In-person access is available at the Macon clerk office. Public terminals let you browse Lowndes County bankruptcy records for free. Printing costs $0.10 per page.

Lowndes County Bankruptcy Fees

PACER runs $0.10 per page for online access. Public terminals at the clerk office are free for viewing. Printing from terminals is $0.10 per page. In-person and mail copy requests are $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document.

If you lack a case number and need the court to search, the cost is $34.00. File Form B1320 with your payment. Make checks to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Money orders and certified checks work. Cash is accepted at the counter only.

Bankruptcy Filing Types in Lowndes County

Lowndes County residents file under the Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 of the U.S. Code. Chapter 7 is liquidation. Non-exempt assets are sold. The trustee distributes the proceeds. Remaining eligible debts are discharged. Most cases close quickly. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan. The debtor keeps their property and pays creditors through monthly payments over three to five years.

Chapter 11 covers business reorganizations. A business keeps running while it restructures debt. Chapter 12 is tailored for family farmers and fishermen. All four chapters generate court records that become part of the public docket, including petitions, schedules, plans, motions, orders, and the final discharge or dismissal.

Georgia Exemptions for Lowndes County

Georgia uses its own exemption rules. Lowndes County filers follow O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption covers $21,500 in home equity, or $43,000 for married couples when the property is solely in one spouse's name. Vehicles get a $5,000 exemption. Tools of trade are protected up to $1,500. Jewelry is exempt up to $500.

The wildcard exemption of $1,200 applies to any property type. Up to $10,000 of unused homestead can be added. Personal property is exempt up to $5,000 total, capped at $300 per item. Income that is fully exempt includes Social Security, workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, veterans' benefits, unemployment, retirement accounts, alimony, and child support.

You must have lived in Georgia at least 730 days before filing. Re-filing limits: eight years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 7, four years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, two years between Chapter 13 filings.

Lowndes County Clerk and State Records

The Lowndes County Superior Court Clerk in Valdosta handles state-level records. Civil cases, criminal filings, deeds, liens, and property transfers are maintained at the county courthouse. Bankruptcy records are not part of this system. County records can still relate to bankruptcy cases, though. A creditor lien recorded in Lowndes County may surface as a claim in a federal bankruptcy filing. After discharge, the lien stays in county records until released.

The GSCCCA offers statewide search for deed and lien records. Cross-reference GSCCCA data with PACER for a full view of a Lowndes County debtor's finances. The Middle District posts court information on its website including local rules, forms, and hearing schedules for the Valdosta location.

Archived Lowndes County Cases

Closed cases leave PACER and go to the National Archives. For archived Lowndes County bankruptcy records, call the Macon clerk at 478-752-3506. Get the accession, location, and box numbers. Order copies through NARA directly. Allow extra time compared to standard PACER searches.

Nearby Counties

Lowndes County is in south-central Georgia near the Florida line. Most neighboring counties are in the Middle District, with some in the Southern District. Confirm the debtor's home county at the time of filing before starting your search.