Bankruptcy Records in Warren County

Warren County bankruptcy records are kept in the Southern District of Georgia federal court system. The county seat is Warrenton, but the local courthouse has no role in bankruptcy filings. Every case filed by a Warren County resident goes to the federal court, where it stays on record in online databases and at court offices. This page explains how to search for these records, what the process costs, and what you can expect to find in a typical Warren County bankruptcy case file. Access is available online, by phone, and in person at several Southern District offices.

Southern District Court Serving Warren County

Warren County is part of the Southern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. This court covers 43 counties in southeastern Georgia. The Augusta office is the closest staffed location for Warren County residents. It sits at the Federal Justice Center, 600 James Brown Blvd, Augusta, GA 30901. Phone is (706) 823-6000. Mail goes to PO Box 1487, Augusta, GA 30903.

Two other offices are fully staffed. Savannah is at 124 Barnard Street, Second Floor, Savannah, GA 31401, phone (912) 650-4100. Brunswick is at 801 Gloucester Street, Third Floor, Brunswick, GA 31520, phone (912) 280-1376. For Warren County, Augusta is the most practical choice for in-person visits. All three offices can look up cases, hand out copies, and accept filings.

How to Find Warren County Bankruptcy Cases

The simplest method is PACER. Set up a free account online. Search for Warren County filings by debtor name or case number. PACER holds the full case file: the petition, schedules of assets and debts, motions, court orders, trustee reports, and the discharge. Each page you view costs $0.10.

The PACER Case Locator lets you search all federal courts in one step. This is useful if a Warren County resident might have filed in a different district. The results come back fast and cover bankruptcy, district, and appellate courts.

For free case details, call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029. Pick the Southern District of Georgia. The automated system gives you the debtor name, case number, chapter, filing date, judge, attorney, trustee, and status. It runs day and night, every day. No documents come through the phone, but the basic case details are often enough for a quick check on Warren County filings.

You can also visit the Augusta office and use public computer terminals to view docket information at no charge.

Warren County Bankruptcy Record Costs

All fees are set by the federal court system. PACER access is $0.10 per page. Viewing on public terminals at any staffed office is free. Printing at those terminals is $0.10 per page. If you request copies by mail or in person, the rate jumps to $0.50 per page. A certified copy costs an extra $12.00 per document.

When you need the court to search for a Warren County filing and you do not have a case number, the charge is $34.00. Submit Form B1320 with your payment. Make checks to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Money orders and certified checks are standard. Cash is accepted at the counter.

Note: McVCIS phone lookups are always free and provide basic case information for Warren County filings.

Types of Bankruptcy Filed in Warren County

Federal law under 11 U.S.C. defines the available bankruptcy chapters. Chapter 7 is liquidation. The trustee reviews the debtor's property, sells what is not exempt, and pays creditors. Many Chapter 7 cases in Warren County are no-asset cases. That means there is nothing for the trustee to sell. The discharge comes in about three to four months.

Chapter 13 allows the debtor to keep property while paying back debts over three to five years. Payments go to a trustee each month. This option is common for people who want to stop a foreclosure or catch up on vehicle payments. Chapter 11 is for businesses. Chapter 12 covers family farmers, which may be relevant in rural areas like Warren County. All of these create searchable public records.

Exemptions for Warren County Filers

Georgia requires bankruptcy filers to use state exemptions. The federal exemption list does not apply. Under O.C.G.A. 44-13-100, the homestead exemption is $21,500. The vehicle exemption is $5,000. Tools of the trade are protected up to $1,500. Jewelry gets $500. Personal property is exempt up to $5,000 total, capped at $300 per item.

The wildcard exemption gives filers $1,200 to apply to any property. Unused homestead value can add up to $10,000 to that. Fully exempt income includes Social Security, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, and alimony. Retirement accounts in 401(k) plans, pensions, and IRAs are protected too. A debtor must have been a Georgia resident for at least 730 days before filing to use these exemptions.

Warren County State Records and Archives

The Warren County Superior Court Clerk in Warrenton handles state-level records. Civil cases, criminal filings, deeds, and liens are all managed there. The GSCCCA offers a statewide search tool for these county records. Sometimes a state court judgment or property lien ties into a bankruptcy case, so looking at both systems gives a better overall picture.

Older Warren County bankruptcy cases that are no longer on PACER have been sent to the National Archives. Get the case number, accession number, and box number from the Southern District clerk before contacting NARA. The Augusta office at (706) 823-6000 can help with that information.

Nearby Counties

Warren County is in east-central Georgia. Its neighbors are split between the Southern and Middle Districts for federal bankruptcy purposes. Hancock and Glascock Counties are directly adjacent.