Search Napa County Bankruptcy Records

Napa County bankruptcy records are managed through the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. This Wine Country county has about 140,000 residents. The city of Napa serves as the county seat. The Santa Rosa division handles cases from this region. This guide covers how to search for Napa County bankruptcy records online and at the courthouse. You will learn about filing requirements, California exemptions, and where to find legal help for debt problems.

Napa County Bankruptcy Court

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court serves Napa County. Cases go through the Santa Rosa division. The courthouse is at 99 South E Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Phone (888) 821-7606 for court information.

San Francisco houses the main headquarters at 235 Pine Street, 19th Floor. That number is (415) 268-2300. Staff at either location answer questions about Napa County bankruptcy matters.

Napa County residents travel about 30 miles to Santa Rosa. The drive takes roughly 40 minutes on Highway 29 and Highway 12. This makes in-person visits fairly convenient compared to more remote counties.

Check the court website for Santa Rosa hours and local procedures.

Search Napa County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER provides the best online access to Napa County bankruptcy records. Register free at pacer.uscourts.gov. The process takes only a few minutes. Your account works at every federal court in the country.

Search fees stay low. The system charges 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Balances under $30 per quarter get waived. Most casual users pay nothing. Log in and select the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court to find Napa County records.

Type a name to search for someone's case. Business names work too. Case number lookups are also available. Results display case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. Click into any case for the full docket. Every filed document appears in the list.

Free phone searches are available. Call (866) 222-8029 for the Voice Case Information System. It runs around the clock. Enter a case number to hear status information. This tells you if a case is open, closed, or discharged.

In-person searches at the Santa Rosa courthouse are free. Use public terminals during business hours. Staff assist with navigation. Printing costs money but viewing is free.

Note: PACER includes Napa County bankruptcy records going back to the mid-1990s.

Filing Bankruptcy in Napa County

Napa County residents file through the Northern District at Santa Rosa. Federal rules govern the process everywhere. You can hire a lawyer or file on your own.

Filing fees are standard. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 business cases run $1,738. Low-income filers can request fee waivers. Payment plans help spread costs. Talk to the clerk about options if paying upfront is difficult.

Credit counseling is required before filing. Complete an approved course within 180 days of your filing date. Online providers charge $15 to $50. The course takes about two hours. You get a certificate to include with your petition. Without it, the court rejects the filing. A second course comes later in your case.

Download forms at uscourts.gov. The voluntary petition starts your case. Schedules list all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility. Complete everything accurately. These documents become your Napa County bankruptcy record.

Electronic Filing for Napa County

CM/ECF is the court's electronic filing system. Attorneys must use it for all filings. Documents go straight into the case record. The system operates around the clock.

Pro se filers can submit paper documents at the Santa Rosa courthouse. You can also mail filings. The clerk scans paper into the electronic system. Either method works for people without lawyers.

CM/ECF sends automatic notices about filings and deadlines. Creditors get alerts. You receive hearing notifications. This keeps everyone informed without extra calls or mailings.

Bankruptcy Exemptions for Napa County

California offers two exemption systems. Napa County filers pick one. Given local property values, this choice matters significantly.

System 1 emphasizes homestead protection. The exemption reaches $722,507 based on county median home prices. Napa County has high property values throughout most areas. Vineyard properties and homes in wine country towns command premium prices. This system protects substantial equity for homeowners.

System 2 provides a large wildcard exemption of $38,700. Apply it to any property. Bank accounts, vehicles, and equipment qualify. Renters often prefer System 2. Those without much home equity also find it useful.

Your exemption choice appears in bankruptcy records. You cannot switch after filing. Consider what assets you have. A local attorney can help analyze which system works better for your situation.

Types of Bankruptcy in Napa County

Chapter 7 is common for Napa County individuals. It wipes out unsecured debt in about four months. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans can be discharged. Most filers keep everything through exemptions. A trustee reviews assets but rarely liquidates anything.

Chapter 13 suits people with regular income. You pay creditors through a plan lasting three to five years. Catch up on mortgages or car loans. Some debts are reduced while others discharge at completion. This helps homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. Napa County has many wineries and hospitality businesses. Economic downturns sometimes push these operations into Chapter 11. The process lets them reorganize while staying open. High-debt individuals also use this chapter.

Chapter 12 covers family farmers. Some Napa County vineyard operations qualify. This streamlined option works like Chapter 13 but with terms suited to farming.

Legal Help in Napa County

Legal assistance exists for Napa County residents facing debt problems.

Legal Aid of Napa Valley helps qualifying low-income residents. They assist with civil matters. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. Find bankruptcy attorneys through their website. Many offer free initial meetings.

Self-help resources are plentiful online. The Northern District website has forms and guides. The federal forms page provides everything needed to file. Some Napa County residents complete cases without attorneys.

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

Cities in Napa County

Napa County includes several cities and towns. All residents file bankruptcy through the Northern District at Santa Rosa. Here is the main population center.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Napa County and may use different court divisions.