McDuffie County Bankruptcy Records

McDuffie County bankruptcy records are filed and maintained through the Southern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Thomson is the county seat, and the Augusta federal court office is the nearest staffed location. Augusta is a short drive from Thomson, giving McDuffie County residents convenient in-person access to bankruptcy court services. The county clerk in Thomson handles state court matters but not bankruptcy filings. This page covers how to find McDuffie County bankruptcy records, whether online, by phone, or in person, and lays out the fees, filing types, and exemption rules that apply.

Southern District Court for McDuffie County

All McDuffie County bankruptcy cases go through the Southern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. The Augusta office at the Federal Justice Center, 600 James Brown Blvd, Augusta, GA 30901 is the closest. Call (706) 823-6000 for questions. The mailing address is PO Box 1487, Augusta, GA 30903.

The district also has staffed offices in Savannah at 124 Barnard Street, Second Floor (phone: (912) 650-4100) and Brunswick at 801 Gloucester Street, Third Floor (phone: (912) 280-1376). Chief Judge Michele J. Kim leads the court. Dana M. Wilson serves as Clerk. The Augusta office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Thomson is about 35 miles west of Augusta, so McDuffie County residents can reach the court fairly easily for in-person visits.

How to Search McDuffie County Bankruptcy Records

PACER provides the most complete online access. Registration is free. Search the Southern District by debtor name or case number. The full docket appears with every petition, schedule, motion, order, and discharge. PACER costs $0.10 per page and runs 24 hours a day.

When the filing district is unknown, the PACER Case Locator searches all federal bankruptcy courts nationwide. One search returns every matching case. You can save frequent searches and track cases over time.

McVCIS offers free phone access at 1-866-222-8029. Select the Southern District. Enter a name or case number. The system provides the debtor name, case number, assigned judge, filing date, chapter, and case status. Available all day. No documents come through, but it confirms whether a McDuffie County bankruptcy case is on record.

Note: Visit the Augusta clerk office for free record viewing on public computer terminals.

McDuffie County Bankruptcy Fees

PACER costs $0.10 per page online. Public terminals at the clerk office are free to use. Printing is $0.10 per page. In-person or mail copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document. A court search without a case number runs $34.00.

File Form B1320 for search requests. Pay by check or money order to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash is accepted at the counter. These fees apply to all McDuffie County bankruptcy records through the Southern District.

Types of Bankruptcy Filed in McDuffie County

McDuffie County residents file under the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 7 is liquidation. A trustee sells non-exempt assets. Creditors get paid from the proceeds. Remaining debts are discharged. Most cases wrap up in a few months. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan. The debtor keeps property and makes monthly payments over three to five years.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganizations. The business continues operating while it restructures debts. Chapter 12 is for family farmers and fishermen. Each filing produces a complete public record, including the petition, asset schedules, creditor lists, any repayment plan, all motions, court orders, and the final discharge or dismissal.

Georgia Exemptions in McDuffie County

Georgia requires state exemptions for bankruptcy filers. McDuffie County residents use O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption covers $21,500 in equity. Married couples can protect $43,000 when the property is in one name. The vehicle exemption is $5,000. Tools of trade are exempt up to $1,500. Jewelry has a $500 exemption.

The wildcard is $1,200 for any property type, expandable by up to $10,000 of unused homestead. Personal property totals $5,000 with a $300 per-item limit. Fully protected income: Social Security, workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, veterans' benefits, unemployment, retirement accounts, alimony, child support. You need 730 days of Georgia residency before filing. Re-filing waits are eight years (Chapter 7 to 7), four years (Chapter 7 to 13), and two years (Chapter 13 to 13).

McDuffie County Clerk and State Records

The McDuffie County Superior Court Clerk in Thomson maintains state court records. Civil suits, criminal cases, deeds, and liens are handled here. Bankruptcy records are not. A lien filed in McDuffie County could show up in a bankruptcy case as a creditor claim. After discharge, the lien stays in county records until released.

Use the GSCCCA for statewide deed and lien searches. Cross-referencing GSCCCA data with PACER results gives a fuller picture of a McDuffie County debtor's financial standing. The city of Augusta in nearby Richmond County is the regional hub for federal court services.

Archived McDuffie County Cases

Old cases that have left PACER are stored at the National Archives. Contact the Augusta clerk at (706) 823-6000 for the accession number, location, and box number. Order copies through NARA directly. Allow more time than a normal PACER search.

Nearby Counties

McDuffie County is in east Georgia. Its neighbors are all in the Southern District. Always verify the debtor's county of residence at the time of filing before searching bankruptcy records.