Arvada Bankruptcy Records Search
Arvada sits in both Jefferson and Adams counties. It has about 125,000 people. Many residents need bankruptcy records each year. These records are federal documents. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado keeps them. You can search for these records online. You can also visit the court in Denver. The records show who filed for bankruptcy. They show when cases ended. They list all court actions too.
Where to Find Arvada Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy is federal law. This means all Colorado cases go to one court. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court is in Denver. The address is 721 19th Street. The zip code is 80202. You can call them at 720-904-7300. This court serves all of Colorado. It serves all 64 counties. Arvada residents file here too.
You can visit www.cob.uscourts.gov for more details. The site lists court hours. It has forms you can download. It shows fee schedules too. The court opens at 8:00 AM. It closes at 5:00 PM. Records staff stop at 4:30 PM. Come early to get help.
Security is tight at the courthouse. You need a valid photo ID. You must pass through metal detectors. No weapons are allowed. The court has free Wi-Fi. You can use your own device. Public computers are also there. You can search records on them.
Note: The Denver courthouse serves all Arvada residents regardless of which county they live in.
Which County is Arvada In
Arvada spans two counties. Most of it is in Jefferson County. Some parts are in Adams County. This matters for some records. But not for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy records are always federal. They are always at the Denver court. County courts do not handle bankruptcy.
For other records, you may need the county. Jefferson County is to the west. Adams County is to the east. You can visit the Jefferson County page for county records. You can also visit the Adams County page. These pages have property records. They have court records too. But not bankruptcy.
Arvada is a home rule city. It has its own government. The city has a clerk. The clerk keeps city records. These include council minutes. They include permits too. But the city clerk does not keep bankruptcy records. Only the federal court does that.
How to Search Arvada Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER is the best way to search. It stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It covers all federal courts. You can use it from home. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov. You need an account first. Sign up is free. You must add a credit card.
The cost is ten cents per page. There is a cap of three dollars per document. Fees under thirty dollars per quarter are waived. This means many people pay nothing. You can search by name. You can search by case number too. Results show instantly.
PACER has records from 2001 to now. Older records may not be online. You may need to visit the court. You can also use the voice system. Call 866-222-8029. Press extension 26. This is free. It gives basic case details. It works twenty-four hours a day.
You can find discharge papers on PACER. You can find creditor lists. You can find court orders too. All documents are PDF files. You can download them. You can print them. Save them for your records.
Types of Arvada Bankruptcy Records Available
Many types of records exist. Each tells part of the story. Here are the main ones:
- Voluntary petitions - the form that starts the case
- Creditor matrices - lists of everyone owed money
- Schedules - detailed lists of assets and debts
- Statements of financial affairs - income and expense details
- Discharge orders - the document that clears debt
- Dismissal orders - papers showing cases that ended early
- Court orders - all other decisions by the judge
Each document has a date. It has a document number too. You can search by either. The petition is filed first. Schedules come next. The discharge comes at the end. Not all cases end in discharge. Some are dismissed. Some are converted to other chapters.
Bankruptcy records stay public forever. They do not expire. They can be found years later. This is different from credit reports. Credit reports only show ten years. PACER shows all years.
Note: All bankruptcy records are public unless sealed by court order.
Legal Help for Arvada Residents
Bankruptcy can be complex. Many people need help. Colorado Legal Services offers free aid. They help low-income residents. Visit coloradolegalservices.org. They have offices across the state. They can answer questions. They can review forms too.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a Pro Se Clinic. Pro Se means representing yourself. The clinic is free. It helps people filing without a lawyer. Visit cobar.org/bankruptcy for details. The clinic meets monthly. Lawyers volunteer their time. They answer questions. They do not represent you in court.
Arvada is near many resources. Denver has the most options. The court has a self-help desk. It is on the first floor. Staff cannot give legal advice. But they can explain procedures. They can help with forms. They can tell you what comes next.
Some people hire lawyers. Others file on their own. The choice depends on your case. Simple cases may be DIY. Complex cases need lawyers. Chapter 7 is often simpler. Chapter 13 is more complex. A lawyer can help you choose.
Bankruptcy Chapters Filed in Arvada
Most people file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is liquidation. Assets are sold to pay debts. Many assets are exempt. You can keep your home. You can keep your car. You can keep retirement accounts. The process takes three to six months.
Chapter 13 is reorganization. You make payments over three to five years. You keep your property. You pay part of your debts. This helps people with steady income. It stops foreclosure. It can reduce some debts.
Businesses file Chapter 11. This is also reorganization. It is complex. It takes a long time. Most individuals do not use Chapter 11. Farmers use Chapter 12. It is like Chapter 13. But for farm operations.
The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can pay in installments. You can also ask for a waiver. Waivers are for low-income filers. The court decides who qualifies.