Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Records Search

Redondo Beach bankruptcy records are maintained by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court. This coastal city in Los Angeles County has about 68,000 residents. Cases from Redondo Beach go through the Los Angeles Division courthouse in downtown LA. If you need to search for a bankruptcy case filed by a Redondo Beach resident, you can use PACER or visit the court in person. This guide explains how to find these records, what they contain, and how to file a new case if needed.

Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Court Location

The Central District of California Bankruptcy Court handles all bankruptcy cases for Redondo Beach. The main courthouse is at 255 E. Temple Street in downtown Los Angeles. From Redondo Beach, it is about 20 miles north depending on which route you take.

Call the Los Angeles clerk's office at (213) 894-3118. Hours run from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. The court closes for federal holidays. Staff can help with questions about Redondo Beach bankruptcy records and filing procedures.

The Central District is the nation's busiest bankruptcy court. It handles cases from seven counties in Southern California. Los Angeles County alone has over 10 million residents. Many filers from across the region share this courthouse.

This court's website has local rules, forms, and filing information for all Los Angeles County cities.

How to Search Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary way to search bankruptcy records online. It holds files from every federal court in the country. Registration is free at pacer.uscourts.gov.

After creating an account, select the Central District of California. Enter a name or case number to search. Results show cases from Redondo Beach and all other cities in the district. You pay 10 cents per page to view documents. The fee caps at $3 per document.

Light users often pay nothing. If your charges stay under $30 per quarter, the court waives all fees. This makes PACER free for occasional searches of Redondo Beach bankruptcy cases.

The Voice Case Information System offers free phone access. Call (866) 222-8029 any time. Enter a case number or name to hear basic case details. The line runs 24 hours a day.

In person searches are free at the courthouse. Walk in during business hours. Use the public terminals to look up cases. Printing has a small fee, but viewing is free.

Filing Bankruptcy in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach residents file at the Los Angeles courthouse or through CM/ECF online. Most people hire a lawyer. Filing on your own is allowed. The court calls this pro se filing.

Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 business cases cost $1,738. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a waiver or payment plan.

Credit counseling is required before filing. Federal law mandates this step. Take the course from an approved provider. You need a certificate to show the court. A second course on managing money comes after your case ends.

All bankruptcy forms are federal. Download them from uscourts.gov. The voluntary petition starts the case. Schedules list your assets, debts, income, and expenses. These become public Redondo Beach bankruptcy records.

Types of Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 is most common. About 78% of California filers choose Chapter 7. It erases most debts in three to four months. Exemptions protect your property. Most people keep everything they own.

Chapter 13 lets you repay debts over time. You make monthly payments for three to five years. This chapter helps if you are behind on a mortgage or car loan. About 20% of filers use Chapter 13.

Chapter 11 is for businesses. Companies reorganize while staying open. It is complex and expensive. Only about 1.5% of cases are Chapter 11.

California Exemptions for Redondo Beach Filers

California has two exemption systems. You pick one. System 1 protects more home equity. System 2 has a large wildcard exemption. The choice matters for what property you keep.

System 1 offers a homestead exemption up to $722,507. This protects significant home equity. Given Redondo Beach property values, many homeowners benefit from this option. The system also covers vehicles, tools of trade, and retirement accounts.

System 2 has a smaller homestead of $36,750. But the wildcard exemption is worth up to $38,700. Renters often prefer this. You can apply the wildcard to any property type.

Note: Your exemption choice becomes part of your public bankruptcy record.

What Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Records Show

Bankruptcy records contain detailed financial data. The petition has basic debtor information. Schedules break down assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test compares income to California's median.

The Statement of Financial Affairs covers past financial history. It shows recent transactions, lawsuits, and property transfers. Creditors file claims. The trustee files reports. The court issues orders throughout the case.

A discharge order ends most cases. This document shows which debts were erased. All filings become part of the public record for Redondo Beach bankruptcy cases.

Who Searches Redondo Beach Bankruptcy Records

Many people search these records. Employers check applicants for certain positions. Landlords look at financial history before renting. Creditors see if collection efforts should stop.

Lawyers research similar cases for strategy. Real estate professionals check for liens. Journalists investigate business dealings. Private citizens check their own records or look up others for business purposes.

All searches use the same PACER database. Anyone can access Redondo Beach bankruptcy records with a free account.

Nearby Cities in the Central District

These cities near Redondo Beach also file through the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court.

Los Angeles County Bankruptcy Resources

Redondo Beach is part of Los Angeles County. Visit the county page for more local bankruptcy information.