Torrance Bankruptcy Case Records

Torrance bankruptcy records are maintained by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court. This South Bay city in Los Angeles County has about 145,000 residents. Cases from Torrance go through the Los Angeles Division courthouse. If you need to search for a bankruptcy filing from Torrance, this page explains where to find the records, what they contain, and how to access them. You will also learn about filing fees, required forms, and the California exemption systems that protect assets.

Torrance Bankruptcy Court Information

The Central District of California Bankruptcy Court handles all Torrance bankruptcy cases. The main courthouse is at 255 E. Temple Street in downtown Los Angeles. From Torrance, it is about 20 miles north.

Call the clerk's office at (213) 894-3118. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. Federal holidays close the court. Staff answer questions about Torrance bankruptcy filings.

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 Torrance 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.

Once logged in, select the Central District of California. Enter a name or case number. Results show Torrance cases and all others in the district. Documents cost 10 cents per page. A $3 cap applies per document.

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

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. It helps when you do not know which district has the case.

Free Ways to Search Torrance Cases

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

Free searches are available at the Los Angeles courthouse. Visit during business hours. Use public terminals. 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 Torrance

Torrance residents file at the Los Angeles courthouse. Online filing through CM/ECF is also available. Most people use 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 it. Take the course from an approved provider. Get 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 Torrance bankruptcy records.

Types of Torrance Bankruptcy Filings

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 helps people with regular income. You repay debts over three to five years. This works for saving a home 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 Torrance 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 Torrance property values, this matters 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. Renters often prefer this flexibility.

Note: Your exemption choice appears in your bankruptcy records.

What Torrance 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. A discharge order ends most cases.

Who Searches Torrance Bankruptcy Records

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

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

Nearby Cities in the Central District

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

Los Angeles County Bankruptcy Resources

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