Access Gila County Bankruptcy Records

Gila County bankruptcy records are held by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona in Phoenix. This mountainous county in central Arizona has about 53,500 residents. Globe serves as the county seat. The Phoenix federal court is roughly 90 miles away, making it one of the shorter drives among rural Arizona counties. All bankruptcy filings, whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or other types, go through this federal court. You can search Gila County bankruptcy cases online through PACER or call the free VCIS line for basic case information. Southern Arizona Legal Aid serves Gila County residents through their Lakeside office in neighboring Navajo County. The federal court keeps all bankruptcy documents as permanent records, accessible to anyone who wants to search them.

Gila County Bankruptcy Court Location

Gila County residents file bankruptcy at the Phoenix Division. The courthouse sits at 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, in downtown Phoenix. Call 602-682-4000 for help. The toll-free number is 800-556-9230. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

The drive from Globe to Phoenix takes about an hour and a half. This is shorter than what residents of many other rural Arizona counties face. You travel through the Superstition Mountains on US-60. The scenic route ends in the Phoenix metro area near the federal courthouse.

The court has free public access computers. Anyone can use them to search PACER without fees. Staff help people find Gila County bankruptcy records and understand court procedures. Bring your photo ID for the security check at the front door.

Gila County Government Resources

The Gila County official website provides information about local services and county departments for residents.

Gila County courts handle state matters. The Superior Court in Globe takes civil cases, family law, criminal cases, and probate. Bankruptcy does not go through state court. It is a federal matter. But the county site helps residents find other services they may need during financial difficulties.

Note: For bankruptcy filings and records, contact the federal court in Phoenix, not Gila County offices.

Search Gila County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is your main tool for finding Gila County bankruptcy records remotely. This federal database stores all court documents. It works around the clock. You can search at any hour from any device with internet access. The system holds over one billion records from federal courts across the country.

Start by creating a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. After registration, log in and go to the Arizona Bankruptcy Court at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov. Search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. The results show case titles, filing dates, assigned judges, and current status.

Click on any case to see its full docket. Every document filed in the case appears listed in order. You can view and download PDFs of petitions, schedules, motions, orders, and the final discharge. Fees run $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly charges stay under $30, all fees get waived.

Free Phone Access to Gila County Cases

The Voice Case Information System gives free case details by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 at any time. The system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need a PACER account to use it.

VCIS tells you the case number and filing date. It says whether the case is open or closed. You hear the debtor's name and their attorney's name if they have one. Key dates like the 341 meeting show up too. For quick lookups, this is the easiest option. When you need full documents, use PACER or visit the courthouse.

Gila County Bankruptcy Legal Resources

Southern Arizona Legal Aid serves Gila County. The nearest office is in Lakeside, which is in neighboring Navajo County but covers the region. Call them at 928-537-8383. They help people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Staff answer questions about debt, foreclosure, and bankruptcy options.

You can also reach SALA toll-free at 1-800-248-6789. They assist with forms and explain your choices. Income limits apply for free legal services. Even if you do not qualify for full representation, they can point you to other resources.

The court runs a Self-Help Center in Phoenix. Volunteer attorneys give free guidance. Call 602-682-4007 for phone help. The Bankruptcy Help Line at 866-553-0893 offers English and Spanish assistance. These resources exist because the court knows many people face bankruptcy without money for a lawyer.

What Gila County Bankruptcy Records Contain

Every bankruptcy file includes standard documents. The petition starts the case and names the debtor. It chooses which chapter to file under. Schedules list all assets and all debts. They show real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, household goods, and anything else of value. Creditors appear by name with the amounts owed.

The statement of financial affairs digs deeper. It shows income history for the past two years. Recent property transfers get listed. Lawsuits, garnishments, and payments to creditors all appear. The trustee uses this to check for problems. Creditors file proofs of claim to assert what they are owed. The court issues orders throughout the case. At the end, a discharge order releases the debtor from qualifying debts.

Gila County Bankruptcy Filing Types

Chapter 7 is the most common type. It wipes out unsecured debt through liquidation. A trustee looks for non-exempt property to sell. Most people keep their home, car, and belongings. Cases close in about four months. The records show what assets existed and how they were handled.

Chapter 13 works for people with steady income who want to keep property. You make payments over three to five years. Records include the repayment plan and monthly payment proof. These files grow large because the case lasts years. Chapter 11 handles business reorganization and large personal debts. Chapter 12 covers family farmers. Both are uncommon in Gila County.

Federal law at 11 U.S.C. Section 107 makes all bankruptcy records public. Anyone can search them without stating a reason. Social Security numbers and bank accounts get redacted before public access.

Note: Sealed records are rare and require a court order based on specific circumstances.

Fees for Gila County Bankruptcy Records

PACER charges $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00 no matter how long it is. If your quarterly total stays under $30, fees are waived completely. Most people doing occasional searches pay nothing.

At the Phoenix courthouse, paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $12.00 per document. Mail requests have a $34.00 search fee per name or case number. Pay with a cashier's check or money order made out to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Online payments go through Pay.gov. The court does not take cash.

Nearby Counties for Bankruptcy Records

Gila County borders several other Arizona counties. All use the same federal bankruptcy court system in Phoenix. PACER searches cover all Arizona counties with a single search.