La Paz County Bankruptcy Filings
La Paz County bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. This federal court oversees all bankruptcy filings for the county's 16,000 residents. Parker is the county seat. La Paz County sits along the Colorado River on Arizona's western border. The nearest federal court office is in Yuma, about 75 miles away. The Yuma office can help with filings and hearings but cannot accept payments. For full services, residents can use PACER online or contact the Phoenix office. Community Legal Services has an office in Kingman that serves La Paz County residents at 928-681-1177. The county's seasonal population of winter visitors often leads to more inquiries during cooler months.
La Paz County Quick Facts
Access La Paz County Bankruptcy Records
La Paz County residents have several ways to search bankruptcy records. The Yuma federal court office is closest at 75 miles. It sits at 98 West 1st Street, 2nd Floor, Yuma, AZ 85364. Call 928-261-4500 for help. Keep in mind that Yuma does not take payments. You must pay fees through Phoenix, Tucson, or Pay.gov online.
PACER gives you full access from home. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to create a free account. Then use ecf.azb.uscourts.gov to search La Paz County bankruptcy filings. You can find cases by name or case number. The system shows all documents filed in each case.
Visit the La Paz County official website for local government services, though bankruptcy matters fall under federal jurisdiction.
The county itself has no role in bankruptcy. These are federal cases. Local courts and the county recorder do not handle bankruptcy filings or provide access to these records.
Searching La Paz County Cases Online
PACER is the federal system for court records. It holds all La Paz County bankruptcy cases filed since the early 1990s. You can search 24 hours a day from any device. Results show case numbers, filing dates, debtors, attorneys, and trustees. Each case has a full docket with links to every document.
The cost is $0.10 per page. No document costs more than $3.00 regardless of length. The court waives fees if your quarterly use stays under $30. This means casual users often pay nothing at all.
For quick lookups without PACER, call the Voice Case Information System at 1-866-222-8029. This free automated line runs all day and night. It gives basic case details like filing date and status.
Note: Public terminals at the Yuma and Phoenix courthouses let you search PACER for free.
La Paz County Bankruptcy Case Types
Bankruptcy records in La Paz County include several case types. Chapter 7 is the most common. It wipes out debts through liquidation. A trustee sells property that is not protected by law. Most Chapter 7 cases end in about four months. The debtor gets a discharge that clears qualifying debts.
Chapter 13 lets people with steady income keep their property. They pay back some or all debts over three to five years. Records for these cases grow over time as the debtor makes payments. You can see the payment plan and track progress through PACER.
Each bankruptcy file contains core documents:
- Petition that starts the case
- Schedules of assets and debts
- Statement of financial affairs
- Proofs of claim from creditors
- Court orders and final discharge
All La Paz County bankruptcy records are public under federal law. Anyone can search and view them through PACER.
Legal Aid for La Paz County Residents
Community Legal Services has an office in Kingman that serves La Paz County. Call 928-681-1177 for help with bankruptcy questions. They offer free legal aid to those who qualify. Staff can explain the filing process and help with forms.
The bankruptcy court runs a Self-Help Center at the Phoenix office. Call 602-682-4007 to reach it by phone. Volunteer attorneys answer questions about filing without a lawyer. The center is free. They also offer the Electronic Self-Representation tool for Chapter 7 cases.
The Bankruptcy Help Line at 866-553-0893 provides phone assistance. Spanish speakers can get help in their language. This is a free resource for basic questions about bankruptcy in Arizona.
Filing Bankruptcy in La Paz County
La Paz County residents file through the federal court. The Yuma office accepts filings but not payments. Phoenix handles all payment processing. You can also file online through CM/ECF after setting up an attorney or pro se account. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 costs $313. Fee waivers exist for those who cannot pay.
Before you file, you need credit counseling from an approved provider. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Arizona website lists approved agencies. This course takes about two hours. You must complete it within 180 days before filing.
The 341 meeting of creditors happens about a month after filing. La Paz County cases may have meetings at the Yuma location or by phone. Ask the trustee about options to avoid travel. After your case ends, a second financial course is required before discharge.
Note: The court locations page shows all office addresses and hours.
La Paz County Record Search Fees
PACER fees are $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Light users pay nothing if quarterly fees stay under $30. This makes most basic searches free.
Copies from the clerk cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $12.00 each. Mail-in search requests cost $34.00 per name or number. Pay by cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Online payments go through Pay.gov. The court does not accept cash.
Current fee details appear on the court filing fee schedule page.
Nearby Counties for Bankruptcy Records
La Paz County shares borders with other Arizona counties served by the same federal court. You may want to search these areas for related bankruptcy records.