Bankruptcy Records in Martin County

Martin County bankruptcy records are federal court filings processed through the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Midland Division. The county seat is Stanton, and all residents file bankruptcy cases through this division. Because the Midland-Odessa Division is unstaffed, it is administered through the Austin clerk's office, which can be reached at 512-916-5237. You can look up Martin County bankruptcy cases online through PACER or use the free Voice Case Information System. This page covers where to search, how to file, and what resources are available locally.

Martin County Federal Bankruptcy Court

Martin County is served by the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Midland-Odessa Division. This division covers Martin County along with Andrews, Brewster, Crane, Culberson, Ector, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Upton, Ward, and Winkler counties. The division is unstaffed, which means there is no courthouse in Midland that is open for walk-in filing. All matters are handled through the Austin clerk's office at 512-916-5237.

If you need to file documents, you can mail them to the Austin clerk or use the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) portal on the court website. The court takes cashier's checks and money orders payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." If you have questions about where to send documents or how the process works, call the Austin clerk's office directly. They can walk you through the steps for the Midland Division specifically.

The U.S. Trustee for Martin County cases operates out of the San Antonio field office at 615 E. Houston Street, Suite 533, San Antonio, TX 78205, phone (210) 472-4640. The trustee is part of the U.S. Trustee Program. They appoint case trustees, monitor compliance, and can object to a discharge if they find problems in a filing.

The Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court oversees all Martin County bankruptcy filings through the unstaffed Midland Division, with clerk services provided from Austin.

Martin County filers should contact the Austin clerk's office at 512-916-5237 for guidance on submitting documents to the Midland-Odessa Division.

Martin County Bankruptcy Records Access

The best way to find Martin County bankruptcy records is through PACER, the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. You sign up for a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov and search by name or case number. PACER gives you full access to filed documents, docket entries, and court orders. There is a small per-page fee for documents, but many lookups are free. Since the division is unstaffed, online access through PACER is the main way to view records.

Most bankruptcy records are public by law. Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, anyone can view these filings. Some sensitive personal data is redacted per Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037, but the core content of each case is open. You can see what debts were listed, what property the filer claimed, and how the court ruled.

The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at 866-222-8029 is a free phone service for quick case checks. Enter a case number or Social Security number and the system reads back case status, chapter type, and key dates. It does not give documents, but it is a fast way to confirm whether a case exists. Since there is no public terminal at a local Midland courthouse, online PACER is the most practical search method for Martin County.

Filing Bankruptcy in Martin County

Martin County residents file their bankruptcy cases through the Western District of Texas, Midland Division, administered out of Austin. Use official federal forms available through the U.S. Courts or the court website. Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets to pay creditors and discharges most remaining unsecured debt. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan lasting three to five years. Both are options for individuals. Businesses typically use Chapter 11.

Western District local rules apply to Martin County filings. You need to submit a Pro Se Questionnaire if you are filing without a lawyer. Your creditor matrix must include a Verification of Matrix form. Get the required forms at txwb.uscourts.gov/forms. Follow the instructions carefully. Since the Midland Division is unstaffed, there is no one at a local courthouse to help you fix mistakes. Getting it right the first time matters more here than in staffed divisions.

Chapter 7 filing fees are $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 starts at $1,738. You can request to pay in installments. If your income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, ask for a full fee waiver when you file.

Martin County Resources

The Martin County Government website in Stanton has contact information for the County Clerk's office. The county clerk keeps deed records and property data for the county. When preparing bankruptcy schedules, you may need to pull property records to list real estate accurately. These records show what liens exist and help confirm current ownership. Contact the county clerk in Stanton for help with records requests.

A bankruptcy case file contains your complete list of debts and creditors, your asset schedule with estimated values, your income and monthly expenses, a list of exempt property, and statements about your recent financial activity. In a Chapter 13 case, the repayment plan is also part of the record. All of this becomes a public record under federal law once filed with the court.

If you need legal help, the nearest legal aid resources are in Midland or San Antonio. Lone Star Legal Aid and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid both serve parts of West Texas. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a bankruptcy attorney. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help guides for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filers in Texas.

Nearby Counties in the Midland Division

These West Texas counties share the Midland Division with Martin County and file cases through the same court system.