Marin County Bankruptcy Records

Marin County bankruptcy records are managed through the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. This affluent county north of San Francisco has about 260,000 residents. San Rafael serves as the county seat. Cases are handled at the San Francisco headquarters just across the Golden Gate Bridge. This guide covers how to search for Marin County bankruptcy records online and at the courthouse. You will also find details about the filing process, exemptions that protect property, and resources for getting legal help with debt issues.

Marin County Bankruptcy Court Info

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court handles Marin County cases. The San Francisco office serves as headquarters. It sits at 235 Pine Street, 19th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Call (415) 268-2300 for information.

Marin County residents have easy access to this court. San Francisco is just across the bridge. The drive from San Rafael takes about 30 minutes without heavy traffic. Public transit works well too. Golden Gate Transit buses and ferries connect Marin to the city.

Court hours run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Walk in for free record searches on public terminals. Staff can help you navigate the system. Printing costs money but viewing is free. No appointment needed for basic services.

The court website has local rules, forms, and procedural guides for Marin County filers.

Search Marin County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the main tool for online bankruptcy searches. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to begin. Registration takes just minutes. Your account works for all federal courts nationwide.

Search fees are low. You pay 10 cents per page up to $3 per document. Quarterly balances under $30 are waived. Most casual searchers pay nothing. Select the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court after logging in to find Marin County records.

Enter a person or business name to search. Case number lookups work too. Results show filing date, chapter type, and current status. Click through to the docket for details. Every document filed in the case appears there. View petitions, schedules, motions, and court orders. Marin County bankruptcy records going back decades are available.

Free phone access is available through the Voice Case Information System. Call (866) 222-8029 anytime. The automated line runs around the clock. Enter a case number to hear status updates. This tells you if a case is open, closed, or discharged without PACER fees.

In-person searches at the San Francisco courthouse are free. Use public terminals during business hours. Staff assist with navigation. You pay only for printed copies.

Filing Bankruptcy in Marin County

Marin County residents file through the Northern District at San Francisco. Federal rules apply the same everywhere. You can hire a lawyer or file on your own.

Filing fees are set by federal law. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738 for most cases. Fee waivers exist for those below 150% of poverty. Payment plans help spread costs. Ask the clerk about options.

Credit counseling must come first. Complete an approved course within 180 days before filing. Providers charge $15 to $50 for online courses. The session takes about two hours. You receive a certificate to file with your petition. The court rejects filings without this document. A second course on financial management comes later.

Download forms at uscourts.gov. Start with the voluntary petition. Add schedules for assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility. Complete everything accurately. Errors cause delays. Your forms become part of the public Marin County bankruptcy record.

Note: Marin County has high property values, so exemption planning is especially important here.

Electronic Filing for Marin County

CM/ECF handles electronic filings for the Northern District. Attorneys must use this system. Documents go straight into the case record. The system operates 24 hours a day.

People filing without attorneys can submit paper documents. Bring them to the San Francisco courthouse during business hours. The clerk scans everything into the electronic record. This works fine for pro se filers.

CM/ECF sends automatic notices when filings occur. Creditors get alerts about deadlines. You receive notification of hearings and orders. Everyone stays informed without extra phone calls.

Bankruptcy Exemptions for Marin County

California has two exemption systems. Marin County filers choose one. Given local property values, this choice matters significantly.

System 1 provides strong homestead protection. The exemption reaches $722,507 based on county median home prices. Marin County has some of the highest home values in California. Many homeowners can protect substantial equity under this system. Vehicles, tools, and personal items also have exemptions.

System 2 offers a large wildcard exemption of $38,700. Apply it to any property. Cash, cars, investments, and other assets qualify. Renters often prefer System 2. Those with minimal home equity find it more useful. The flexibility helps protect liquid assets.

Your exemption choice appears in your bankruptcy records. You cannot switch after filing. Consider your assets carefully. Marin County property values make this decision particularly important. A local bankruptcy attorney can help analyze your situation.

Bankruptcy Types in Marin County

Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans can be discharged. The process takes about four months. Most filers keep everything under exemptions. A trustee reviews assets but rarely liquidates anything in typical cases.

Chapter 13 works for people with steady income. You pay creditors through a three to five year plan. Catch up on mortgages or car loans through scheduled payments. Some debts are reduced. Others discharge at completion. This option helps save homes from foreclosure.

Chapter 11 handles complex cases. Businesses reorganize while operating. Individuals with high debt also use this chapter when they exceed Chapter 13 limits. Marin County has many high-net-worth individuals, so Chapter 11 filings are not uncommon here. These cases create extensive records.

All types produce searchable records through PACER. Chapter 7 files are usually simple. Chapter 13 includes payment history. Chapter 11 can run hundreds of pages.

Legal Resources in Marin County

Legal assistance exists for Marin County residents who need help with bankruptcy.

Legal Aid of Marin provides services to qualifying low-income residents. They help with civil matters including debt issues. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. Find bankruptcy attorneys through their website. Many offer free initial consultations.

Self-help resources are available online. The Northern District website has forms and guides. The federal forms page provides all required documents. Some Marin County residents complete cases without attorneys using these materials.

Always verify attorney credentials through the State Bar before hiring. Their website shows license status and discipline history. The FTC consumer site has information on avoiding debt relief scams.

Cities in Marin County

Marin County includes several cities and towns. All residents file bankruptcy through the Northern District in San Francisco. Here are the major population centers.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marin County and use the same federal court district.