Peoria Arizona Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records for Peoria residents are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona in Phoenix. With a population over 201,000, Peoria is one of the largest cities in the Phoenix metro area. The federal courthouse sits about 13 miles southeast of downtown Peoria, a drive of 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Peoria has no local bankruptcy court because all bankruptcy matters fall under federal jurisdiction. You can search Peoria bankruptcy filings through PACER online or drive to the Phoenix courthouse for in-person access. The court handles Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 cases for all Maricopa County residents. Anyone can look up public bankruptcy records to check if a person or business has filed.

Peoria Bankruptcy Court Access

All Peoria bankruptcy cases are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix. The address is 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. From Peoria, take the Loop 101 south to I-17, then head downtown. The trip takes about 25 minutes without traffic. Street parking near the courthouse is limited. Paid parking lots and garages are within walking distance.

The court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 602-682-4000 for questions about Peoria bankruptcy records. The toll-free line is 800-556-9230. Staff can help you find cases by name or case number. They can explain how to request copies or view documents.

Free public terminals in the courthouse lobby let you search PACER without fees. This is a good option if you need to view multiple documents. Bring a photo ID for security screening at the entrance. The Self-Help Center on site has volunteer attorneys who can answer basic questions about bankruptcy procedures.

Search Peoria Bankruptcy Cases Online

PACER gives you 24-hour access to Peoria bankruptcy records from any computer. Start by making a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. After you register, log in and go to the Arizona Bankruptcy Court at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov. This connects you directly to Arizona cases.

Type in the person's name, business name, or case number. PACER shows the full docket with every document filed in the case. You can download PDFs of the bankruptcy petition, schedules of assets and debts, court orders, and the discharge. Search results include the filing date, case status, assigned judge, and trustee information.

PACER charges $0.10 per page you view. Documents cap at $3.00 each. If your total fees stay at $30 or less per quarter, the court waives everything. Most people doing occasional searches pay nothing.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Arizona website has forms, fee information, and court procedures for anyone who needs to file or search Peoria bankruptcy records.

The website provides step-by-step guides for filing bankruptcy on your own. Forms are available as PDFs you can fill out and print.

Peoria and Maricopa County Bankruptcy

Peoria is part of Maricopa County, Arizona's most populated county. Over 4.6 million people live here. The Phoenix bankruptcy court serves all of them. This makes it one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in the western United States. Thousands of cases are filed each year.

Because of the high volume, the court has multiple bankruptcy judges. Cases are assigned randomly. Your judge handles all motions and hearings in your case. The Clerk of Court is Khadijia White-Thomas. Her office manages all court records and filings.

Maricopa County Superior Court does not handle bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy is strictly a federal matter under the U.S. Constitution. State courts have no role in these cases. If you need Peoria bankruptcy records, the federal court in Phoenix is the only source.

Free Phone Access to Peoria Cases

The Voice Case Information System gives free basic info by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The system is automated and works around the clock. Enter the case number or search by name. VCIS tells you the filing date, case status, debtor information, and key dates.

This service is free. It does not cost anything to use. But VCIS only gives you basic case data. You cannot get documents through the phone system. For full records, use PACER online or visit the courthouse in person.

Note: VCIS is useful when you just need to confirm if someone filed bankruptcy or check when a case was closed.

Types of Peoria Bankruptcy Records

Peoria bankruptcy records include all documents filed in a case. The petition starts every case. It lists the debtor's name, address, and type of bankruptcy filed. Schedules detail all assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The statement of financial affairs shows the debtor's recent financial history.

Creditors file proofs of claim to show what the debtor owes them. The trustee files reports about the case administration. Court orders document every decision the judge makes. At the end of most cases, a discharge order releases the debtor from certain debts.

Chapter 7 cases tend to be shorter with fewer documents. Most wrap up in three to four months. Chapter 13 cases last three to five years and generate more paperwork because of the monthly payment plan. Chapter 11 reorganizations can have hundreds of pages in complex business cases.

Federal law makes bankruptcy records public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Anyone can view them. You do not need a reason. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted for privacy.

Peoria Bankruptcy Records Fees

Viewing Peoria bankruptcy records through PACER costs $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00 no matter how long it is. The quarterly fee waiver means you pay nothing if your total stays under $30. Light users of PACER effectively search for free.

At the Phoenix courthouse, paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 per document. Mail requests add a $34.00 search fee per name. Pay with a cashier's check or money order payable 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. You can search and view as many documents as you want without PACER charges. The ASU law library and Maricopa County Law Library also offer legal research resources at no cost.

Legal Assistance for Peoria Residents

Community Legal Services helps low-income Peoria residents with bankruptcy questions. Call 602-258-3434 to see if you qualify. They can explain your options and help with forms. The Phoenix courthouse Self-Help Center at 602-682-4007 has volunteer attorneys available to answer questions.

The court's Electronic Self-Representation tool guides you through filing a simple Chapter 7 case. It asks questions and fills in the forms based on your answers. This works best when you have few assets and straightforward debts. You can find the eSR tool on the Self-Help Center page.

The Maricopa County Law Library at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/ provides legal research tools. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 connects people with free legal help. Many bankruptcy attorneys in Peoria offer free initial consultations.

How Peoria Residents File Bankruptcy

Before filing bankruptcy in Peoria, you must take a credit counseling course. The class 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 ask for detailed financial information. List every debt you owe and every asset you own. Mistakes or missing information can delay your case or cause problems. Many Peoria 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. If you cannot afford the full fee, ask about payment plans or a fee waiver.

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

Cities Near Peoria

Other cities in the Phoenix metro area use the same federal bankruptcy court. Click below to find local information and resources for nearby areas.