Hartford County Bankruptcy Filings

Hartford County bankruptcy records are federal court documents. They are filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. Residents of Hartford, West Hartford, Manchester, and surrounding areas file cases here. These records contain petitions, asset schedules, creditor lists, and discharge orders. You can search Hartford County bankruptcy records through PACER. You may also visit the Hartford Division office in person to view case files.

Where to Find Hartford County Bankruptcy Records

The Hartford Division serves all of Hartford County. This office is in the Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building. The address is 450 Main Street on the 7th floor. The Clerk's Office phone is 860-240-3675. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Public access terminals let you view case documents for free. You can print copies for a small fee.

All bankruptcy records in Hartford County are federal records. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut maintains them. Cases filed since 1998 are stored electronically in the CM/ECF system. Older cases may be archived. The Federal Records Center in Waltham, Massachusetts holds these files. The National Archives and Records Administration handles retrieval requests. Contact the Clerk's Office first to confirm the file location.

The Connecticut Bankruptcy Court homepage provides direct access to case lookup tools and forms for Hartford County residents.

The official court website has full details. Visit www.ctb.uscourts.gov for more information. The case information page explains all access methods. Hartford County residents can find court locations, hours, and contact details there. The site also has forms and filing instructions.

Online Access Methods

PACER offers the best online access to Hartford County bankruptcy records. This system has case summaries, docket sheets, and document images. Registration is required at pacer.uscourts.gov. The cost is $0.08 per page. Each document has a $30.00 maximum charge. Usage under $30 per quarter is free. PACER covers all federal bankruptcy courts nationwide.

PACER provides nationwide access to federal court records including all Hartford County bankruptcy filings.

The Voice Case Information System offers free basic case details. Call 1-866-222-8029 from any touch-tone phone. This service runs 24 hours daily. VCIS provides debtor names, case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Trustee assignments and 341 meeting dates are also available. No registration is needed. Data updates nightly from the court's live database.

Attorneys use CM/ECF for electronic filing. The public can view case information through this system. Go to ecf.ctb.uscourts.gov to access it. Registration requires contacting the court. Email ctb_ecf_registrations@ctb.uscourts.gov to sign up. CM/ECF offers real-time access to new documents. Automatic email notices go to case participants. For help, email ctb_ecf_help@ctb.uscourts.gov.

Hartford Division Court Location

The Hartford Division is the main federal court for Hartford County. It sits in the Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building. The full address is 450 Main Street, 7th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103. This court handles Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases. Chief Judge Ann M. Nevins presides over the District of Connecticut. Clerk of Court Pietro Cicolini manages operations.

The Hartford Division location page provides complete contact details for accessing bankruptcy records in Hartford County.

The Clerk's Office handles all record requests. General correspondence goes to ctb_correspondence@ctb.uscourts.gov. Public access terminals are available for self-service viewing. You can search cases and view documents at no cost. Printing costs $0.10 per page from these terminals. Staff can assist with complex searches. Parking is available nearby for a fee. The court is close to bus and train stops.

The court follows local rules that supplement federal procedures. These rules cover filing formats, motion practice, and hearings. The local rules are at www.ctb.uscourts.gov/local-rules. Hartford County cases are assigned to this division based on the debtor's address. Residents of northern and central Connecticut file here. The court maintains a calendar of 341 meetings and hearings online.

Note: Always verify current hours before visiting the Hartford Division office.

Local Resources

Hartford is the county seat of Hartford County. It is also the capital city of Connecticut. The city has over 120,000 residents. Many Hartford residents file for bankruptcy protection each year. The city offers resources for those facing financial hardship. Legal aid offices serve low-income residents. Credit counseling agencies have locations in downtown Hartford.

West Hartford is an affluent suburb west of Hartford. It has over 63,000 residents. Many West Hartford residents also file bankruptcy cases. These cases are heard at the Hartford Division. The town has financial advisors who can help before filing. West Hartford Community Services offers assistance programs. These may help residents avoid bankruptcy in some cases.

Manchester lies east of Hartford. It is one of the largest towns in Hartford County. Over 58,000 people live there. Manchester residents file cases at the Hartford Division. The town has a Human Services Department. They can refer residents to legal aid. Manchester also has approved credit counseling agencies. Pre-bankruptcy counseling is required before filing.

New Britain is south of Hartford. It has over 74,000 residents. The city has faced economic challenges. Many New Britain residents seek debt relief through bankruptcy. Cases are filed at the Hartford Division. New Britain has legal services for low-income families. The city library offers free internet access. Residents can use PACER from these computers.

Bristol is in the western part of Hartford County. It has over 60,000 residents. Bristol residents file bankruptcy at the Hartford Division. The city has community resources for financial help. Bristol also has attorneys who handle bankruptcy cases. Many residents commute to Hartford for court hearings. The Hartford Division serves all these communities equally.

Filing Information

Filing for bankruptcy in Hartford County requires federal forms. These forms are the same nationwide. The voluntary petition starts the case. Schedules list all assets and debts. A statement of financial affairs provides background. Means test forms are required for Chapter 7 cases. A repayment plan is filed for Chapter 13 cases. All forms must be complete and accurate.

Fees are set by federal law under 28 U.S.C. § 1930. Chapter 7 cases cost $338. Chapter 13 cases cost $313. Chapter 11 cases cost $1,738. These fees can be paid in installments for Chapter 7. A fee waiver may be available for low-income filers. The waiver applies if income is below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. File the Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis with the petition.

The 341 meeting of creditors occurs 20 to 40 days after filing. This meeting is held at the courthouse or by phone. A trustee questions the debtor under oath. Creditors may attend and ask questions. This is not a court hearing. The judge does not attend. Documents must be provided to the trustee before the meeting. Failure to attend can result in case dismissal.

A discharge order ends the case. This releases the debtor from personal liability for most debts. The discharge comes about 60 days after the 341 meeting in Chapter 7 cases. Chapter 13 discharges come after plan completion. This takes three to five years. The discharge order is part of the permanent record. Certified copies can be obtained from the court.

Helpful Links

Several websites help Hartford County residents with bankruptcy matters. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Connecticut is the primary resource. It has forms, rules, and case information. www.ctb.uscourts.gov is the main address. The court locations page lists the Hartford Division. www.ctb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations/trenton has the Hartford address.

PACER is essential for online record access. Register at pacer.uscourts.gov. This site has nationwide federal court records. The Connecticut Judicial Branch has state court records. Visit www.jud.ct.gov for state civil and criminal cases. State court records are separate from bankruptcy records.

Official bankruptcy forms are at www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. These are free to download. The U.S. Trustee Program oversees bankruptcy cases. Their website is www.justice.gov/ust. They maintain lists of approved credit counselors. Pre-filing counseling is required within 180 days of filing.

Connecticut Legal Services offers free legal help. Call 800-453-3320 for assistance. They serve low-income Hartford County residents. The Connecticut Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call 860-223-4400 to find an attorney. Hartford city services may also help residents. Visit www.hartford.gov for local resources. The city can direct residents to financial counseling programs.

Cities in Hartford County

Hartford County has 29 cities and towns. All file bankruptcy cases at the Hartford Division. Residents can access records through the same court. Select a city below to learn more.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hartford County. Residents there file at different court divisions. Fairfield County and New Haven County use other locations.