Find Bankruptcy Records in Winkler County
Winkler County bankruptcy records are filed through the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Midland Division. The county seat is Kermit, and residents or businesses in Winkler County file their bankruptcy petitions with this federal court. You can search Winkler County bankruptcy cases online through PACER or by contacting the Western District clerk's office directly. All public filings, including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases, are accessible under federal law.
Winkler County Overview
Winkler County Bankruptcy Court
Winkler County falls under the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Midland Division. The Midland-Odessa Division is unstaffed as a standalone office. Administrative functions are handled through the Western District's Austin or San Antonio offices. If you need to file documents or speak with a clerk about a Winkler County case, you contact the Austin Division clerk's office, which can be reached at 512-916-5237.
The Midland Division covers Winkler County along with other West Texas counties. Cases go through the standard federal bankruptcy process: the petition is filed, a trustee is assigned, the 341 meeting of creditors is scheduled, and the court either grants or denies a discharge depending on the chapter and the debtor's compliance with requirements. All filings are entered into the federal CM/ECF system and accessible through PACER.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas |
|---|---|
| Division | Midland Division (administered via Austin) |
| Austin Clerk Phone | (512) 916-5237 |
| Website | txwb.uscourts.gov |
| U.S. Trustee | San Antonio Field Office, 615 E. Houston Street, Suite 533, San Antonio, TX 78205 |
The U.S. Trustee for Winkler 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. Trustees assigned to Winkler County cases review debtor schedules, run the 341 meeting, and make sure all obligations are met before a case can be closed or discharged.
Searching Winkler County Bankruptcy Records
To look up a bankruptcy case from Winkler County, use PACER. PACER gives you online access to the Western District's case management system. You can search by debtor name, case number, or attorney. Basic lookup results are often free. Full docket sheets and individual documents cost a small per-page fee. You download what you need and pay later through your PACER account.
Through the PACER system, you can find the full case docket, schedules of assets and liabilities, statement of financial affairs, proofs of claim filed by creditors, and any court orders including discharge orders. For very old cases that predate electronic records, the National Archives holds archived paper files that can be requested through their system.
Winkler County bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. § 107. The court may seal certain documents that contain sensitive personal data, but most filings remain open. All documents filed with the court must partially redact personal identifiers under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037.
The Winkler County Government website maintains local property records and public documents that are often reviewed during bankruptcy proceedings to verify asset ownership.
The county clerk in Kermit holds deed and property records that may be needed by bankruptcy trustees and creditors to identify and value real property in a pending case.
Filing Bankruptcy in Winkler County
Winkler County residents and businesses file bankruptcy petitions with the Western District of Texas under the Midland Division. Since the Midland Division operates without a staffed office, filers work with the Austin or San Antonio clerk's offices for most administrative tasks. All required forms and local rules are posted on the Western District forms page. Pro se filers must submit a Pro Se Questionnaire and a creditor matrix that has been verified.
Standard federal filing fees apply regardless of which division you file under. Chapter 7 cases cost $338. Chapter 13 cases cost $313. Chapter 11 cases cost $1,738. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask for a waiver at the time of filing. The court will review your income against the federal poverty guideline to decide if you qualify. Installment plans are another option for those who need more time to pay.
Before filing, you must complete a credit counseling course from a U.S. Trustee-approved provider. The course must be done in the 180 days before your petition date. After your case is filed, you must also complete a debtor education course before you can receive a discharge. Both course requirements apply to individuals in all chapter types. A list of approved providers is at justice.gov/ust.
Note: The Midland Division being unstaffed means some in-person requests may take longer. Plan ahead when requesting records or filing by paper.
Winkler County Bankruptcy Resources
Finding legal help in a small West Texas county can take more effort than in larger metro areas. The Western District court website at txwb.uscourts.gov is the primary reference for forms, local rules, and filing requirements. The State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com offers a lawyer referral service that covers the entire state, including Winkler County.
The county clerk in Kermit at co.winkler.tx.us maintains property and deed records that often matter in bankruptcy. If the trustee or a creditor needs to check what real estate a debtor owns, county property records are the starting point.
- Western District Bankruptcy Court - filing information and forms
- PACER - search bankruptcy records online
- U.S. Trustee San Antonio Field Office - trustee program and counseling providers
- Winkler County Government - county property records
- Western District Local Rules and Forms
Nearby West Texas Counties
Winkler County is part of the Midland Division of the Western District. Other nearby West Texas counties that use the same federal court system include the following.