Las Animas County Bankruptcy Case Filings

Las Animas County sits in southern Colorado. Trinidad serves as the county seat. This historic coal mining region has faced economic changes. Residents dealing with debt may file bankruptcy. These cases become federal records. The Denver bankruptcy court maintains all files.

Researching bankruptcy records for Las Animas County requires remote access. Trinidad is far from Denver. Most residents use online systems. The county clerk holds related property records. Understanding both sources is important. This guide explains the complete process.

Las Animas County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Las Animas County Clerk serves from Trinidad. The office is at 200 E 1st Street, Trinidad, CO 81082. Phone number is (719) 846-3314. Hours are Monday through Friday. They are open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

This office records property documents. Deeds and mortgages are filed here. These matter in bankruptcy cases. They show what real estate is owned. They reveal prior claims. Trustees review these filings.

The clerk also records state court judgments. These can become liens. Bankruptcy affects these claims. The discharge may not remove them. Research requires specific property details. Staff can help with searches.

The federal bankruptcy court in Denver houses all case records for Las Animas County.

The court building stands at 721 19th Street in Denver.

Federal Bankruptcy Court Access

All Las Animas County cases go to Denver. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court is at 721 19th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Phone is 720-904-7300. This court handles all Colorado counties. Trinidad is about 200 miles south of Denver. Travel takes several hours.

Access options include PACER, mail, and visits. Online access works best for most. It avoids long drives. Mail suits formal requests. In-person visits require planning.

How to Use PACER for Las Animas County Cases

PACER provides online court record access. The site is https://pacer.uscourts.gov/. Registration is free. The database covers Colorado cases. Las Animas County filings are included.

Creating an account is easy. Provide basic details. Verify your email. Start searching immediately. Use names or case numbers. Results come quickly. Each page costs ten cents. Documents cap at three dollars. Small quarterly fees are waived.

Las Animas County cases are under District of Colorado. Records from 2001 forward are online. Older cases need archive access. Download what you need. Work from Trinidad. No travel required.

Note: PACER is essential for accessing bankruptcy records without making the long trip from southern Colorado to Denver.

Las Animas County Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Federal fees are uniform. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Fee waivers exist for qualifying Chapter 7 filers. Income proof is needed. The court reviews it. Approval means free filing.

Chapter 13 allows payment plans. Four installments are permitted. First payment at filing. Others follow a schedule. Keep payments current. Dismissal follows missed payments.

Attorney fees are extra. Las Animas County has limited local attorneys. Many hire Denver lawyers. Some work remotely. Fees vary by complexity. Expect one to three thousand dollars.

Related Records at the County Level

Las Animas County keeps records tied to bankruptcy. These show financial history. They document assets and debts. Review these sources:

• Property deeds and mortgages
• Judgment liens
• UCC financing statements
• Trust deeds

UCC records are statewide. Access them at https://www.sos.state.co.us/ucc/. The Secretary of State maintains this. Secured creditors file here. Bankruptcy schedules list them.

Property liens survive bankruptcy. Discharge does not erase them. Separate action is needed. The Las Animas County Clerk can help. Legal advice may be wise.

Legal Aid Resources for Las Animas County

Free legal help exists for qualifying residents. Colorado Legal Services serves southern Colorado. They assist low-income individuals. Bankruptcy counseling is available. Other debt help too.

Attorney referrals come from bar associations. The Colorado Bar can help. Some lawyers offer free consultations. Ask about fees early. Know the total cost. This prevents surprises.

The federal court provides self-help resources. Their website has forms. Instructions are included. Pro se filing is possible. Court staff helps with process. They do not give legal advice.

Finding Discharge Records

Discharge orders end bankruptcy cases. They cancel qualifying debts. This document is vital. Get it from PACER. The court clerk also provides copies.

The order shows what was discharged. It notes what remains. Some debts are not dischargeable. Student loans usually stay. Recent taxes too. Support obligations continue. The order explains clearly.

Save discharge orders permanently. You may need proof later. Creditors might try to collect. The discharge stops this. Las Animas County residents need secure storage.

Note: Keep your discharge order with other important papers for easy access when needed.