Chino Hills Bankruptcy Records

Chino Hills bankruptcy records are managed by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court, with San Bernardino County cases typically going through the Riverside division. This suburban city sits in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County near the Orange County border. Residents can search for bankruptcy cases online using PACER or visit the Riverside courthouse during business hours. This page explains the process for accessing Chino Hills bankruptcy filings, what documents are available, and the search methods. All federal bankruptcy cases are public records, open for anyone to view.

Chino Hills Bankruptcy Court Info

Chino Hills residents file bankruptcy through the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court. The Riverside division serves San Bernardino County. The courthouse is at 3420 Twelfth Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Call (951) 774-1000 for the clerk.

Cases from Chino Hills are assigned to Riverside by zip code. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Staff can help you find records and answer questions about filings.

All Chino Hills bankruptcy records stay with the Central District throughout the case. The clerk maintains documents electronically. Records remain searchable for years after cases close.

The court website has forms, rules, and case lookup tools.

Search Chino Hills Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the best way to search for Chino Hills bankruptcy records from home. Create an account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Registration is free. Log in and select the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court.

Enter a name or case number to search. Fees are 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Users with quarterly fees under $30 pay nothing. This makes PACER free for most light research.

The system shows the full case docket. View all filed documents, court orders, and case status. Download PDFs of petitions, schedules, and discharge orders for any Chino Hills bankruptcy case.

Use the PACER Case Locator if you are not sure which court has a case. It searches every federal court at once.

Free Chino Hills Bankruptcy Searches

Free options exist for those who prefer not to pay PACER fees.

VCIS, the Voice Case Information System, provides phone access around the clock. Call (866) 222-8029. Enter a case number or name. The system tells you filing date, chapter type, and case status. This works for quick checks on Chino Hills bankruptcy cases.

In-person searches are free at the Riverside courthouse. Walk in during business hours and use public terminals. Staff will help if needed. You pay only for printed copies.

Some users qualify for PACER fee waivers. Low-income individuals, nonprofits, and researchers may apply. Contact the clerk about waiver options.

Filing Bankruptcy in Chino Hills

Chino Hills residents file at the Central District court. You can use a lawyer or file pro se. Both use the same forms and process.

Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13, and $1,738 for Chapter 11. Low-income filers may get fee waivers or payment plans. Ask the clerk about your options.

Credit counseling is required before filing. Federal law mandates an approved course within 180 days of filing. A second course is needed before discharge. These apply to all Chino Hills filers.

Download forms from uscourts.gov. You need the voluntary petition, schedules, means test, and statement of financial affairs. These become part of your public Chino Hills bankruptcy record.

Exemptions for Chino Hills Filers

California has two exemption systems. You must pick one.

System 1 protects homeowners best. It shields up to $722,507 in home equity. Chino Hills has high home values, so this large exemption is valuable for local homeowners. System 1 also covers vehicles up to $8,625 and all retirement accounts.

System 2 works better for renters. The homestead is $36,750, but the wildcard reaches $38,700. Apply it to any property. Chino Hills renters often prefer this for flexibility.

Note: Your exemption choice shows in the bankruptcy records. Consider consulting a lawyer about which system fits your situation.

Types of Chino Hills Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 is most common. About 78% of California filers use it. Debts get discharged in a few months. Exemptions protect most assets.

Chapter 13 uses a repayment plan over three to five years. This suits people with steady income who want to save a home. Roughly 20% of cases are Chapter 13. Chino Hills homeowners facing foreclosure may find this helpful.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. Only about 1.5% of cases use it. Some Chino Hills businesses choose this to restructure debts while staying open.

Each chapter creates different records. Chapter 7 files are small. Chapter 13 includes payment plans. Chapter 11 can be extensive. All types are searchable for Chino Hills cases.

Chino Hills Bankruptcy Resources

Help exists for Chino Hills residents facing bankruptcy.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Inland Counties Legal Services provides free help for low-income residents in San Bernardino County.

The court website offers self-help guides. The federal forms page has all documents needed. Many Chino Hills residents file on their own using these resources.

Check any lawyer's background before hiring. The California State Bar website shows license status and disciplinary records.

San Bernardino County Bankruptcy Records

Chino Hills is part of San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the United States. The county falls under the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court. Visit the San Bernardino County page for more information.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Chino Hills and also file through the Central District court.