Butte County Bankruptcy Records

Butte County bankruptcy records are managed through the Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court. With over 200,000 residents including the city of Chico, this Northern California county sees regular bankruptcy filings each year. The Sacramento courthouse handles all Butte County cases, though filers use PACER to access records online from anywhere. This page explains how to search Butte County bankruptcy records, what it takes to file a case, and the California exemption rules that protect property during bankruptcy. Whether you need to research someone else's filing or understand your own options, you will find the details here covering court contacts, search tools, filing costs, and legal resources serving Butte County.

Butte County Bankruptcy Court Information

The Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court serves Butte County from Sacramento. The courthouse sits at 501 I Street, Suite 3-200, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone the clerk at (916) 930-4400. From Oroville, expect about a 90-minute drive. Chico residents face a similar commute.

Butte County is one of 34 counties in this sprawling district that stretches across Central and Northern California. The Eastern District covers more land area than any other bankruptcy district in the state. Three courthouses serve the region. Sacramento handles most Butte County matters as the closest location. The Fresno and Modesto offices serve counties further south.

Attorneys file electronically through CM/ECF. This system allows Butte County lawyers to submit documents without leaving their offices. Pro se filers typically file paper documents by mail or in person, though limited electronic filing options exist for self-represented parties who complete the required training. The court encourages electronic filing when possible.

Business hours run 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. Staff answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice. For guidance on Butte County bankruptcy matters, consult an attorney or use the self-help resources on the court website.

Search Butte County Bankruptcy Cases Online

PACER is the primary tool for finding Butte County bankruptcy records. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. The service charges 10 cents per page up to $3 per document. Users with quarterly charges under $30 pay nothing due to automatic fee waivers.

After logging in, select the Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court. Enter a name or case number. Results show all Butte County bankruptcy filings that match. Each case entry links to the full docket. You can view filed documents, check case status, and see the assigned trustee. Most searches take just minutes to complete.

The free Voice Case Information System works around the clock. Call (866) 222-8029 from any phone. Enter a case number or spell out a party name using your keypad. The system reads back basic case data including status and key dates. This helps Butte County residents who just need quick information without logging into PACER.

In-person searching is free at the Sacramento courthouse during business hours. Public computer terminals provide access to case records. Staff can assist with navigation. You pay only if you print documents. Butte County residents sometimes combine a courthouse visit with other Sacramento errands to make the trip worthwhile.

Note: The PACER Case Locator searches all federal bankruptcy courts nationwide, which helps if you are unsure which district handled a particular filing.

How to File Bankruptcy in Butte County

Butte County residents file bankruptcy at the Sacramento courthouse. You can hire an attorney or represent yourself. The court refers to self-representation as "pro se" filing. Either way, the same forms and procedures apply.

Filing fees vary by chapter. Chapter 7 liquidation costs $338. Chapter 13 repayment plans cost $313. Chapter 11 business reorganization costs $1,738. Low-income filers may request fee waivers or installment payment plans. The court evaluates financial need and grants relief to qualifying applicants. Cost should not prevent Butte County residents from accessing bankruptcy protection when they need it.

Credit counseling is mandatory before filing. Federal law requires this step. Complete an approved course within 180 days prior to your filing date. Save your certificate. A second course covering debt management must be finished before discharge. Both courses are available online or by phone, which suits Butte County residents who cannot easily travel to in-person sessions.

All bankruptcy forms are available from uscourts.gov. Start with the voluntary petition. Add schedules listing every debt, asset, income source, and expense. Complete the means test calculation to determine Chapter 7 eligibility. Butte County filers with below-median income often qualify automatically. Others may still qualify after factoring in allowed deductions for taxes, housing, transportation, and other necessities.

California Exemptions for Butte County Residents

California has two exemption systems. Pick one. You cannot combine them. Your choice affects which property stays protected during bankruptcy.

System 1 helps homeowners most. The homestead exemption reaches up to $722,507 depending on circumstances and median home prices. Butte County property values have fluctuated following the Camp Fire disaster in 2018. Current exemption amounts reflect rebuilding and market conditions. Beyond the home, System 1 covers vehicles up to $8,625, trade tools up to $10,950, and all retirement funds.

System 2 benefits renters. The wildcard exemption totals up to $38,700 and applies to anything you own. This comes from a $1,950 base plus unused homestead exemption up to $36,750. If you do not own real estate, you can protect a car worth more than System 1 allows, keep larger bank balances, or shield other valuable personal property. Many Butte County renters choose System 2.

Residency rules apply. You must have lived in California for 730 days straight to use state exemptions. Recent arrivals to Butte County use exemptions from their previous state. In some situations, federal bankruptcy exemptions apply instead. An attorney can help sort out which rules govern your case.

Note: Your exemption election appears in your bankruptcy paperwork and generally cannot be changed once the case progresses.

Butte County Bankruptcy Case Types

Chapter 7 is most common in Butte County. It eliminates most unsecured debts in about four months. You might surrender some non-exempt property, but most filers keep everything due to exemptions. Around 78% of California bankruptcies are Chapter 7. This option works best for those with limited income and more debts than assets.

Chapter 13 provides a payment plan over three to five years. You keep all property while repaying creditors through a court-appointed trustee. This helps Butte County homeowners catch up on past-due mortgages or car loans. Roughly 20% of local filings use Chapter 13. You need regular income to make the required monthly payments.

Chapter 11 reorganizes businesses. Companies continue operating while restructuring debts. The process is expensive and complicated. Few Butte County cases involve Chapter 11, though some local businesses have used it after economic disruptions or disasters. High-asset individuals occasionally file Chapter 11 when they exceed Chapter 13 debt limits.

Each chapter generates different records. Chapter 7 files are typically small with limited documents. Chapter 13 cases span years with payment schedules, trustee reports, and possible plan modifications. Chapter 11 files can be enormous with detailed financial disclosures, creditor voting records, and complex reorganization plans. All Butte County cases are public records searchable through PACER.

Legal Help for Butte County Bankruptcy Filers

Several resources assist Butte County residents with bankruptcy. Legal Services of Northern California serves low-income individuals in the region. They offer consultations and may handle cases depending on capacity and eligibility. Call them to ask about bankruptcy help for Butte County.

The U.S. Trustee Program lists approved credit counseling and debtor education providers. Only approved agencies count toward your filing requirements. Most offer phone or online options convenient for Butte County residents. Fees are modest and waivers are sometimes available.

The Eastern District court website provides extensive self-help materials. Guides walk through each step. Sample forms show proper completion. Butte County residents have successfully filed pro se using these resources, though complicated situations usually benefit from legal guidance.

Before hiring any attorney, verify their credentials through the State Bar of California. Check for active licensure and look at disciplinary records. Ask prospective lawyers about their experience with the Eastern District and Butte County cases specifically. Local knowledge helps with everything from trustee expectations to hearing schedules.

Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes several communities. All residents file through the Eastern District in Sacramento.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Butte County and share the same bankruptcy court district.