Morgan County Colorado Bankruptcy Case Records

Morgan County lies on Colorado's eastern plains. Fort Morgan serves as the county seat. Agriculture drives the local economy. Residents facing financial difficulties may file bankruptcy. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver handles all cases.

Researching bankruptcy records for Morgan County requires understanding federal and local systems. The Denver courthouse maintains all files. The county clerk holds related property records. This guide explains complete access methods for researchers.

Morgan County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Morgan County Clerk serves from Fort Morgan. The office is at 231 Ensign Street, Fort Morgan, CO 80701. Phone number is (970) 542-3521. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

This office records property documents. Deeds, mortgages, and releases are filed here. These connect to bankruptcy cases. They show real estate ownership. They reveal prior encumbrances. Trustees review them carefully.

The clerk also records state court judgments. These can become judgment liens. Such liens appear in bankruptcy schedules. Priority questions may arise. The records help resolve them. Property searches need specific addresses.

The federal bankruptcy court in Denver maintains all bankruptcy records for Morgan County.

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

Federal Bankruptcy Court Access

All Morgan 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 serves all Colorado counties. Fort Morgan is about 80 miles northeast of Denver.

Access options include PACER, mail, and visits. Online PACER works best for most. It avoids travel time. Mail suits formal requests. In-person visits suit urgent needs.

How to Use PACER for Morgan County Cases

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

Creating an account is simple. Provide basic information. Verify your email. Start searching immediately. Use names or case numbers. Results appear quickly. Each page costs ten cents. Documents cap at three dollars. Quarterly fees under thirty dollars are waived.

Morgan County cases list under District of Colorado. Records from 2001 are online. Older cases need archive access. Download what you need. Work from Fort Morgan. No travel required.

Note: PACER is the most efficient way for Morgan County residents to access bankruptcy records without driving to Denver.

Morgan County Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Federal filing fees are standardized. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Fee waivers exist for qualifying Chapter 7 filers. Income documentation is required. The court reviews carefully. Approval means free filing.

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

Attorney fees are additional. Morgan County has some local attorneys. Many residents hire Denver lawyers. Some work remotely. Fees vary by case complexity. Simple Chapter 7 cases may cost $1,000 to $2,000.

Related Records at the County Level

Morgan 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
• Foreclosure records

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 reference them.

Property liens survive bankruptcy discharge. Discharge does not erase them. Separate action is needed. The Morgan County Clerk can explain.

Legal Aid Resources for Morgan County

Free legal help exists for qualifying residents. Colorado Legal Services serves eastern 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 clear. Pro se filing is possible. Court staff helps with process. They do not give legal advice.

Finding Discharge Records

Discharge orders complete 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 makes this clear.

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

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