Avondale Bankruptcy Records Search

Bankruptcy records for Avondale residents are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. The federal courthouse in Phoenix sits about 17 miles east of Avondale, a drive of 25 to 35 minutes. Avondale has nearly 100,000 people and sits in the west valley of the Phoenix metro area. All bankruptcy cases from Maricopa County go through the Phoenix federal court. You can search Avondale bankruptcy filings through the PACER online system from any computer or phone. The court keeps records for Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases. These records are public under federal law, so anyone can look them up for any reason.

Avondale Bankruptcy Court Location

Avondale does not have a local bankruptcy court. All cases go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix. The address is 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. From Avondale, take I-10 east toward downtown Phoenix. Exit at 7th Avenue and head north. The courthouse is near the intersection of 1st Avenue and Van Buren.

Street parking near the courthouse can be hard to find. Paid lots and garages are nearby. Plan extra time for parking and security screening. Bring a photo ID to enter the building.

The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 602-682-4000 with questions about Avondale bankruptcy records. The toll-free number is 800-556-9230. Staff can help you look up cases by name or case number and explain how to get copies of documents.

Search Avondale Bankruptcy Cases Online

PACER lets you search Avondale bankruptcy records from home. The system works 24 hours a day. First, make a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Then log in and go to the Arizona bankruptcy court at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov.

You can search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER shows the full case docket with every document filed. Download PDFs of petitions, schedules, court orders, and discharge papers. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If you use less than $30 per quarter, all fees are waived.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona website has forms, fee schedules, and information about filing and searching records.

The website includes a Self-Help Center page with guides for people filing without an attorney. Forms are available as fillable PDFs.

Free Phone Access to Avondale Cases

The Voice Case Information System gives free case info by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The system is automated and works around the clock. You do not need a PACER account to use it.

VCIS tells you the case number, filing date, debtor name, attorney name, trustee, and case status. It also gives key dates like the 341 meeting schedule. This is helpful when you need quick info without pulling full documents.

Note: VCIS only provides basic case data, not documents or detailed filings.

Avondale and Maricopa County Bankruptcy

Avondale is part of Maricopa County, which has over 4.6 million residents. The Phoenix bankruptcy court serves the entire county. This includes Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, Gilbert, and all other cities and towns.

The court handles thousands of cases each year. Multiple judges divide the workload. Your case gets assigned to one judge who handles it from start to finish. Chief Judge Eddward P. Ballinger Jr. leads the court. The Clerk of Court, Khadijia White-Thomas, oversees all record keeping and administrative functions.

State courts have no role in bankruptcy. Maricopa County Superior Court handles civil and criminal cases but not bankruptcy. The federal court in Phoenix is the only place for Avondale bankruptcy records.

Types of Avondale Bankruptcy Records

Avondale bankruptcy records cover all case types filed by city residents. Chapter 7 is the most common. It eliminates most debts through liquidation. A trustee reviews your assets and may sell some to pay creditors. Arizona exemptions let you keep your home, car, and personal property up to certain limits. Most Chapter 7 cases wrap up in three to four months.

Chapter 13 works for people with regular income. You keep your property and pay back debts over three to five years. The payment plan depends on what you earn and what you owe. This is popular with homeowners who want to catch up on mortgage payments.

Chapter 11 is mainly for businesses. The company proposes a plan to restructure debts while staying open. Some individuals with high debts also use Chapter 11. These cases tend to be complex with many documents filed over months or years.

Every Avondale bankruptcy file contains standard documents. The petition starts the case. Schedules list assets, debts, income, and expenses. The statement of financial affairs covers recent transactions. Court orders document judge decisions. The discharge order at the end releases the debtor from certain debts.

Avondale Bankruptcy Records Fees

PACER charges $0.10 per page to view Avondale bankruptcy records online. Each document caps at $3.00 no matter how long it is. The quarterly fee waiver applies if your total is $30 or less. Casual users usually pay nothing.

At the Phoenix courthouse, paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 per document. If you request records by mail, add a $34.00 search fee per name. Pay with a cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Online payments go through Pay.gov. The clerk does not accept cash.

Free access is available at the courthouse. Public terminals let you search PACER without charges. The VCIS phone system at 1-866-222-8029 is free for basic case info.

Avondale Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Legal Resources

Community Legal Services helps low-income Maricopa County residents. Call 602-258-3434 to see if you qualify. They explain bankruptcy options and help with paperwork.

The Phoenix courthouse has a Self-Help Center at 602-682-4007. Volunteer attorneys answer questions about forms and procedures. The Self-Help Center page has information about available services.

The court's Electronic Self-Representation tool helps with simple Chapter 7 cases. It walks you through the forms and fills them out based on your answers. This works best when you have few assets and straightforward debts.

The Maricopa County Law Library at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/ offers legal research resources. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 connects people with free legal help. Many Avondale bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations to discuss your situation.

How Avondale Residents File Bankruptcy

Filing bankruptcy requires credit counseling first. The course takes about an hour. You can do it online or by phone. The U.S. Trustee Program lists approved counseling agencies.

After counseling, complete the bankruptcy petition and schedules. These forms need detailed financial info. List every creditor and every asset. Mistakes can delay your case or cause other problems. Many Avondale residents hire an attorney to prepare the paperwork correctly.

File your case at the Phoenix bankruptcy court. You can file electronically through CM/ECF or in person at the clerk's office. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Payment plans and fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income.

Once you file, an automatic stay stops most creditors from contacting you. They cannot call, sue, garnish wages, or foreclose. You will attend a 341 meeting of creditors where the trustee asks about your finances. Most Chapter 7 cases end in about four months with a discharge order.

Nearby Cities for Bankruptcy Records

Other west valley cities use the same Phoenix bankruptcy court. Click below to find local information and resources for nearby areas.