QUESTION
Can you check if someone has filed bankruptcy? How?
Asked on May 25th, 2015 on Bankruptcy - Illinois
More details to this question:
I agreed to loan a family member money and now he is claiming that he will not be able to repay me and that he has filed for bankruptcy. Is there a way to check if this is true? Are there public records for bankruptcy?
10 ANSWERS
Immigration Law Attorney serving Glendale, CA
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Law Office of Josue S. Villanueva
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That would be a yes.
Answered on Aug 28th, 2015 at 8:18 PM
That would be a yes.
Answered on Aug 28th, 2015 at 8:18 PM
Call the bankruptcy court clerk to see how you can review a BK file. I can do this from my office, but I charge for this service. I would review the BK file with you, and discuss your options.
Answered on May 28th, 2015 at 4:44 PM
Commercial & Bankruptcy Law Attorney serving Powell, OH
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Ronald K. Nims
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You can go on PACER.gov and look up his name in all the bankruptcy courts in the country. (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). A warning if the name is "William Smith" or something else common, you might want to narrow your search a bit. However, if he has really filed bankruptcy and he owes you money then you should have gotten a notice from the bankruptcy court within a couple days of the filing.
Answered on May 27th, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Deborah F. Bowinski
You can check with the bankruptcy court for the district in which your family member lives to see whether a bankruptcy case has been filed. If one was filed, you should have been notified by mail if the person owed you money at the time of filing. All debts must be listed and all creditors must be notified when a case is filed.
Answered on May 26th, 2015 at 7:32 PM
Did you get a bankruptcy notice in the mail? If not, there probably is no bankruptcy. Liars never stop telling lies. The court maintains an online site where every bankruptcy case in the US can be reviewed for a nominal sum. That site is www.pacer.gov
Answered on May 26th, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Bankruptcy Attorney serving Madison, WI
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Richard B. Jacobson & Associates, LLC
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Contact the clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy court which is part of the U.S. District court. That office will either do the search or tell you how to do it electronically. Call the clerk for the district where your debtor lives or has his principal assets.
Answered on May 25th, 2015 at 11:48 PM
Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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It is a public record. Seek counsel if you want to do it correctly.
Answered on May 25th, 2015 at 11:40 PM
Yes it is public information you can call down to the bankruptcy court and you will be able to find that information.
Answered on May 25th, 2015 at 5:45 PM
Debt Settlement Attorney serving Chicago, IL
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Law Offices of Daniel J. Winter
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Yes, you can go to the US bankruptcy court in Chicago to search for free. Otherwise, only professionals in the field can search on the court's secure website.
Answered on May 25th, 2015 at 3:56 PM