Stewart County Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records for Stewart County residents are kept by the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Lumpkin is the county seat, but the courthouse there deals only with state matters. All bankruptcy filings from Stewart County go to the federal system. You can search these records through PACER online, call the McVCIS phone line for free case details, or visit the staffed clerk offices in Macon or Columbus. This page walks through how to find Stewart County bankruptcy records, what the fees are, and which exemptions apply under Georgia law.

Middle District Court Serving Stewart County

The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court handles Stewart County bankruptcy filings. The Columbus staffed office is the closest for residents of Lumpkin. That office sits at One Arsenal Place, 901 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31902. Phone is 706-649-7837. The main office in Macon is at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201, with a phone of 478-752-3506.

Chief Judge Austin E. Carter leads the Middle District. Kyle George is the Clerk. The court also holds hearings in Albany, Athens, Thomasville, and Valdosta, though those locations only have staff when hearings are scheduled. For day-to-day records work involving Stewart County, Columbus or Macon is where you go. The court info page has hours and directions.

How to Search Stewart County Records

Use PACER for the most thorough search. Creating an account is free. Once logged in, choose the Middle District of Georgia and search by debtor name or case number. You get the full docket, all filed documents, and case status updates in real time. PACER charges $0.10 per page and runs 24 hours a day.

Need just the basics? McVCIS is free and takes no more than a few minutes. Call 1-866-222-8029 from any phone. The automated voice system tells you the debtor name, case number, chapter, filing date, judge, trustee, and whether the case is open. Select the Middle District of Georgia to look up Stewart County cases. The system works around the clock.

The PACER Case Locator searches every federal court at once. Helpful when you don't know which district handled a particular filing.

Fees for Stewart County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is $0.10 per page. Cap is $3.00 for documents of 30 pages or fewer. Viewing at the clerk office public terminals is free.

In-person or mail copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run an extra $12.00 each. A search when you lack the case number is $34.00. Fill out Form B1320 and mail it with a money order or certified check to the Columbus or Macon office. Make payment to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash works at the counter only.

Note: Printing at public terminals in the clerk office costs $0.10 per page.

Stewart County Exemptions Under Georgia Law

Georgia opted out of federal bankruptcy exemptions. Stewart County filers use state exemptions only. O.C.G.A. 44-13-100 sets the homestead exemption at $21,500. Married couples may protect $43,000 in certain scenarios. A vehicle is exempt up to $5,000. Jewelry is capped at $500. Tools of the trade are protected up to $1,500. The wildcard exemption starts at $1,200 and can be boosted by up to $10,000 of unused homestead value.

Certain types of income are completely protected. Workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, Social Security, veterans benefits, and unemployment pay are all fully exempt. Retirement accounts including 401(k) plans and IRAs cannot be taken. Alimony and child support are also safe. Personal property under $5,000 total is exempt as long as each item stays below $300 in value.

The Middle District court info page shown above provides directions and details about staffed offices.

Types of Bankruptcy in Stewart County

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most filed types. Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan. Chapter 12 covers family farmers and fishermen, which is relevant in rural counties like Stewart. Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. All chapters fall under Title 11 of the United States Code.

The 730-day residency rule means you must have lived in Georgia for at least two full years before filing to use state exemptions. Filing limits are eight years between Chapter 7 cases, four years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, and two years between Chapter 13 filings. Every Stewart County case follows these same rules.

Stewart County Clerk and State Court

The Stewart County Superior Court Clerk in Lumpkin manages civil cases, criminal records, deeds, and liens. These are state records only. The clerk does not have bankruptcy case files. However, property deeds and judgment liens from Stewart County state court can relate to a federal bankruptcy filing. Searching both systems helps you see the full picture.

The GSCCCA portal lets you search deed records, UCC filings, and liens from Stewart County and every other county in Georgia. It is a good tool for cross-referencing state-level records against federal bankruptcy filings.

Old Stewart County Bankruptcy Cases

Closed cases eventually transfer to the National Archives. To get copies from NARA, you need the case number, accession number, location number, and box number. Call the Columbus office at 706-649-7837 or Macon at 478-752-3506 to get those details. The NARA ordering process takes a few weeks. Active and recent cases stay on PACER.

Nearby Counties

Stewart County is in southwest Georgia near the Alabama state line. Its neighbors are all in the Middle District. The Columbus office is the nearest staffed court location for this part of the state.