Search Riverside Bankruptcy Records

Riverside bankruptcy records are kept by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court, which has a courthouse right in the city. With over 314,000 residents, Riverside is the county seat and the largest city in the Inland Empire. The Riverside Division courthouse handles cases for both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This page explains how to find bankruptcy records filed by Riverside residents, what documents are available, and how to navigate the court system if you need to file a case or research existing filings.

Riverside Bankruptcy Court Location

The Central District of California Bankruptcy Court has a division right in Riverside. The courthouse is at 3420 Twelfth Street. This location serves both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is the main bankruptcy court for the entire Inland Empire region.

Call the clerk's office at (951) 774-1000. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. The court closes for federal holidays. Having the courthouse in Riverside makes it easy for local residents to file papers and search records in person.

The Central District processes more bankruptcy cases than any other court in the nation. It covers seven Southern California counties. The Riverside location handles a large volume of filings from the fast growing Inland Empire.

Forms, local rules, and filing guides are all on the court website.

How to Search Riverside Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main online tool for finding bankruptcy records. It holds files from all federal courts. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to start searching.

After signing up, select the Central District of California. Enter a name or case number. The system returns matches from Riverside and the entire district. Documents cost 10 cents per page. A $3 cap per document keeps costs reasonable.

Light users often pay nothing. If quarterly charges stay under $30, the court waives all fees. This means PACER is effectively free for people who only need a few Riverside bankruptcy records.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. Use it when you are not sure which district has the case you need.

In person searches are free at the Riverside courthouse. Walk in during business hours. Use public terminals to look up cases. Staff can assist with the system.

Free Ways to Access Riverside Bankruptcy Cases

The Voice Case Information System provides free phone access around the clock. Call (866) 222-8029. Enter a case number or name. You hear basic details like filing date, chapter type, and case status.

Some users qualify for full PACER fee waivers. Low income individuals can apply. Pro se litigants, nonprofits, and researchers may also qualify. Ask the court clerk about fee waiver options for Riverside bankruptcy record searches.

Filing Bankruptcy in Riverside

Riverside residents have the advantage of a local courthouse. You can file in person or use CM/ECF online. Most people hire attorneys. Self filing, called pro se, is also allowed.

Filing fees vary by chapter. Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 business reorganization is $1,738. Low income filers may qualify for fee waivers. Others can request a payment plan.

Federal law requires credit counseling before filing. Complete the course within 180 days of filing. Use an approved provider. A second course on debt management is required after your case ends. Without these certificates, the court will not process your case.

All forms are federal and available at uscourts.gov. The voluntary petition starts every case. Schedules list your financial details. Everything becomes part of your public Riverside bankruptcy record.

Types of Riverside Bankruptcy Filings

Chapter 7 is the most common. About 78% of California filers choose it. Debts are discharged in three to four months. Exemptions protect most property.

Chapter 13 helps people with steady income repay debts over time. You make monthly payments for three to five years. This works well for saving a home from foreclosure. About 20% of filers use Chapter 13.

Chapter 11 is for business reorganization. Companies restructure while continuing operations. It is expensive and complex. Only about 1.5% of cases are Chapter 11.

Each chapter type creates different records. Chapter 7 files are simpler. Chapter 13 includes payment plans. Chapter 11 cases can have many filings over several years.

California Exemptions for Riverside Filers

California has two exemption systems. You choose one. System 1 works best for homeowners with significant equity. System 2 suits renters or those with less home equity.

System 1 protects up to $722,507 in home equity. It also covers vehicles up to $8,625 and tools of trade. Retirement accounts have no limit. Given Riverside home values, System 1 often helps local homeowners.

System 2 has a smaller homestead of $36,750. But the wildcard exemption is worth up to $38,700. Apply it to any property type. Many Riverside renters prefer this flexibility.

Note: The exemption choice you make becomes part of your public bankruptcy records.

What Riverside Bankruptcy Records Show

Bankruptcy records contain extensive financial information. The petition lists the debtor's basic facts. Schedules break down assets, debts, income, and expenses in detail.

The means test compares income to California medians. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers past transactions and legal matters. Creditors file claims. The trustee files reports. Court orders address various issues throughout the case.

A discharge order ends most cases and shows which debts were eliminated. All these documents become part of the public Riverside bankruptcy record.

Legal Help for Riverside Bankruptcy

Several resources help Riverside residents with bankruptcy. The court website has self help materials. Legal aid organizations provide free assistance to those who qualify.

Inland Counties Legal Services helps low income residents. The Riverside County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. UC Riverside Pre-Law Society sometimes hosts legal clinics. Several law schools in the region have bankruptcy clinics.

Before hiring any attorney, check their license status. The California State Bar website shows disciplinary history. This protects against unlicensed practitioners.

Nearby Cities in the Central District

These cities near Riverside also file through the Central District Bankruptcy Court.

Riverside County Bankruptcy Resources

See the county page for more information about bankruptcy resources in Riverside County.