Yolo County Bankruptcy Records

Yolo County bankruptcy records are filed through the Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court. The county sits west of Sacramento and includes cities like Woodland, Davis, and West Sacramento. Residents who need to search bankruptcy filings can use PACER or visit the Sacramento courthouse. This guide covers how to find Yolo County bankruptcy records, court locations, and filing resources for the area.

Yolo County Bankruptcy Court Information

The Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court handles all bankruptcy cases for Yolo County. The court serves 34 counties in the Central Valley and Sierra region. Yolo County residents file at the Sacramento division.

The Sacramento courthouse is at 501 I Street, Suite 3-200, Sacramento, CA 95814. This is about 20 miles east of Woodland and close to West Sacramento. Call (916) 930-4400 for the clerk's office. Staff can help with questions about Yolo County bankruptcy filings.

The court is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Walk-ins can use free public terminals to search records. The Modesto division is also part of this district but Sacramento is closer for most Yolo County residents seeking bankruptcy records.

The court website provides local rules, forms, and case lookup tools.

Search Yolo County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the main tool for online searches. It covers all federal courts. The fee is 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Users with less than $30 in quarterly charges pay nothing.

Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to create a free account. Select the Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Court. Enter a name or case number to find Yolo County bankruptcy records. Results show the docket, filed documents, and case status.

The Voice Case Information System offers free phone access. Call (866) 222-8029 any time. It works around the clock. You can search by case number or party name to get basic case info. This is good for quick status checks on Yolo County cases.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. Use this when you do not know which district handled a case.

Filing Bankruptcy in Yolo County

Yolo County residents file at the Eastern District court in Sacramento. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income.

You must complete credit counseling before filing. Take the course from an approved provider within 180 days of your filing date. After your case ends, a second course on debt management is required. These rules apply to all Yolo County bankruptcy filers.

Download official forms from uscourts.gov. The main form is the voluntary petition. Schedules list your assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines which chapter you qualify for. All forms become part of the public Yolo County bankruptcy record.

California Exemptions for Yolo County Filers

California offers two exemption systems. You pick one or the other. System 1 protects up to $722,507 in home equity. System 2 has a smaller homestead but a wildcard exemption worth up to $38,700.

Many Yolo County filers own homes in Davis or Woodland. Home values vary across the county. System 1 often works well for homeowners with significant equity. Renters may prefer System 2 for the wildcard protection. The choice appears in your bankruptcy records.

Note: Talk to a lawyer about which exemption system fits your situation before filing.

Types of Yolo County Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 is the most common type. About 78% of California filers use it. The case ends in a few months. Most people keep all property due to exemptions.

Chapter 13 lets you repay debts over three to five years. This works for people with steady income. About 20% of Yolo County bankruptcy cases use Chapter 13. Records include payment plans and completion documents.

Chapter 11 covers business reorganization. It is complex and costly. Few individuals use it. Agricultural operations in Yolo County may file Chapter 12, which is designed for family farmers and fishermen.

Cities in Yolo County

Yolo County includes several cities and towns. All residents file bankruptcy through the Eastern District court in Sacramento.

Major communities include Woodland (county seat), Davis (home to UC Davis), West Sacramento, and Winters. Davis has a large student population due to the university. West Sacramento sits right across the river from the state capital.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Yolo County and also use the Eastern District court.