Access Plano Bankruptcy Records
Plano bankruptcy records are filed with the Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court at the Plano office, located at 660 N. Central Expwy., Suite 300B. The court serves Collin County and handles cases for the Sherman Division, with Chief Judge Brenda Rhoades presiding over hearings in Plano. You can search Plano bankruptcy filings through PACER online, by calling the clerk at (972) 509-1240, or by visiting the office in person. This guide covers how to find records, file a case, and get local help.
Plano Overview
Plano Federal Bankruptcy Court
Plano is served by the Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court. The court has a Plano office that handles the Sherman Division, which covers Collin County cases. This is somewhat unusual, since the Sherman Division is technically a division of the Eastern District but holds hearings in Plano. Chief Judge Brenda Rhoades presides over Sherman Division cases from the Plano office.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas |
|---|---|
| Division | Sherman Division (Plano Office) |
| Address | 660 N. Central Expwy., Suite 300B Plano, TX 75074 |
| Phone | (972) 509-1240 |
| Website | txeb.uscourts.gov |
The Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court also has offices in Tyler, Beaumont, and Lufkin. The Plano office is the one that matters for Collin County residents. The U.S. Trustee Region 6 office in Dallas handles bankruptcy oversight for the Eastern District, including cases filed through the Plano office. Trustees assigned by Region 6 manage Chapter 7 liquidations and monitor Chapter 13 repayment plans for Plano filers.
The Plano clerk's office accepts in-person filings during standard business hours. Call (972) 509-1240 to confirm hours and ask about any specific local requirements before you show up. Attorneys in the Eastern District file through the electronic case management system.
How to Search Plano Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the primary search tool for Plano bankruptcy records. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) gives online access to case dockets, documents, and filing history for all federal courts including the Eastern District of Texas. A PACER account is free to set up. Searches cost $0.10 per page, but accounts under $30 per quarter pay nothing.
Log into PACER and select the Eastern District of Texas. Search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. From a case record you can see the docket, pull individual documents, find the creditor matrix, check trustee assignments, and confirm whether a discharge was entered. The PACER Case Locator lets you cast a wider net across multiple districts if needed.
You can call the Plano office directly at (972) 509-1240 to get basic case information. This is a quick option when you just need to confirm a filing date or check a hearing schedule without pulling up the full docket through PACER.
In person, the Plano office at 660 N. Central Expwy. has public terminals for free case lookups. Bring the debtor's name or case number. Staff can help you navigate the system and make document copies for a fee. The City of Plano website has municipal records that may come up in bankruptcy cases involving Plano property or city-related debts.
The City of Plano official website provides access to municipal records, property data, and city services relevant to Plano bankruptcy cases involving local real estate or tax obligations.
Plano municipal records and property information can be relevant in bankruptcy cases where city tax liens or real estate in the city are part of the filing.
Filing Bankruptcy in Plano
Plano residents and businesses file bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, with hearings held at the Plano office. The three most common types are Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Chapter 7 is a liquidation that wipes out most unsecured debts after a trustee reviews your assets. Chapter 13 lets you keep your property and pay back debts over three to five years under a plan the court approves. Chapter 11 is mainly for businesses restructuring large amounts of debt.
The filing starts with a voluntary petition and detailed schedules of your assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Under 11 U.S.C. § 521, all required schedules must be filed. Before filing, you need to complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider within 180 days of the petition date. After filing, a debtor education course is required before you can receive a discharge.
Filing fees are set at the federal level. Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 is $1,738. You can request a fee waiver or ask to pay in installments if you cannot pay the full amount at once. The court takes cashier's checks and money orders payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court."
The Eastern District has its own local rules that apply on top of standard federal rules. Check the Eastern District court website for the latest local rules, required forms, and filing instructions. Missing a local rule requirement can slow down or damage your case.
Note: Collin County state courts do not handle bankruptcy filings; all Plano bankruptcy cases go through the Eastern District of Texas federal court.
Plano Bankruptcy Resources
If you need an attorney, the Collin County Bar Association can refer you to a local bankruptcy lawyer. The State Bar of Texas referral service at texasbar.com lets you search for licensed attorneys by practice area and region, including Collin County.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves Collin County. Contact them to find out whether you qualify for free legal assistance with a bankruptcy question. They handle civil legal matters, and while they may not be able to represent you in court, they can help you understand your options and point you toward the right resources.
The Collin County Clerk maintains official property and deed records for Plano and the rest of Collin County. Property records come up regularly in bankruptcy cases involving real estate. The clerk can confirm ownership, lien status, and recorded documents for any property in the county. Visit the clerk's office or use their online portal to search records.
Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, bankruptcy records are open to the public. Anyone can access them through PACER or in person. Certain personal information like full Social Security numbers is protected, but the rest of the case file is available.
Plano Is in Collin County
Plano is one of the largest cities in Collin County. All bankruptcy filings for Plano go through the federal Eastern District court, but county property records, deeds, and local court filings are maintained by Collin County. The Collin County page has more detail on county-level records and the local court system.
Nearby Cities
Other Texas cities also served by federal bankruptcy courts: