Santa Monica Bankruptcy Records

Santa Monica bankruptcy records are maintained by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court. This beachside city in Los Angeles County has about 93,000 residents. Cases from Santa Monica go to either the Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley Division courthouse. If you need to search for a bankruptcy filing or learn about the process, this page covers where to find records, what documents are available, and how to file a case. You will also find details about fees, forms, and California exemption rules.

Santa Monica Bankruptcy Court Information

The Central District of California Bankruptcy Court handles all Santa Monica bankruptcy cases. The main Los Angeles courthouse is at 255 E. Temple Street. The San Fernando Valley courthouse at 21041 Burbank Blvd. in Woodland Hills is another option.

Call the Los Angeles office at (213) 894-3118. The San Fernando Valley number is (818) 587-2900. Both are open 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. Federal holidays close the courts.

The Central District is the busiest bankruptcy court in the nation. It processes cases from seven Southern California counties. Los Angeles County has over 10 million residents.

The court website has forms, local rules, and filing information for all divisions.

Search Santa Monica Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the main way to search bankruptcy records. It holds files from all federal courts. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov.

After logging in, select the Central District of California. Enter a name or case number. Results show Santa Monica cases and all others in the district. Documents cost 10 cents per page with a $3 cap.

Light users often pay nothing. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. This makes PACER free for occasional Santa Monica bankruptcy record searches.

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

Free Ways to Search Santa Monica Cases

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

Free searches are available at the courthouses. Visit during business hours. Use public terminals to look up cases. Staff can help. Printing costs a small fee.

Some users qualify for PACER fee waivers. Low income individuals, pro se filers, and nonprofits can apply. Ask the court about options.

Filing Bankruptcy in Santa Monica

Santa Monica residents file at the Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley courthouse. Online filing through CM/ECF works too. Most people hire attorneys. Self filing is allowed.

Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 business cases cost $1,738. Low income filers may qualify for fee waivers. Payment plans are available.

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

Download forms from uscourts.gov. The petition starts every case. Schedules list your financial details. These become public Santa Monica bankruptcy records.

Types of Santa Monica Bankruptcy Cases

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

Chapter 13 works for people with steady income. You repay debts over three to five years. This helps save homes from foreclosure. About 20% of filers choose this path.

Chapter 11 is for businesses. Companies restructure while operating. It is expensive and complex. Only about 1.5% of filings use Chapter 11.

California Exemptions for Santa Monica Filers

California offers two exemption systems. Pick one. System 1 protects more home equity. System 2 has a large wildcard exemption.

System 1 provides up to $722,507 in homestead protection. Given Santa Monica property values, this is crucial for homeowners. It also covers vehicles, work tools, and retirement accounts.

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

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

What Santa Monica Bankruptcy Records Show

The petition starts every case with basic debtor info. Schedules list assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility.

The Statement of Financial Affairs covers past transactions. Creditors file claims. The trustee files reports. Court orders address issues throughout the case. A discharge order ends most cases.

Who Searches Santa Monica Bankruptcy Records

Many people search these records. Employers screen job applicants. Landlords check rental histories. Creditors verify bankruptcy filings.

Lawyers research similar cases for strategy. Real estate professionals look for liens. Private citizens check records for business or personal purposes.

Nearby Cities in the Central District

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

Los Angeles County Bankruptcy Resources

Santa Monica is in Los Angeles County. Visit the county page for more information.