Access Flint Bankruptcy Records

Flint bankruptcy records are filed and maintained at the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court's Flint Division, located right in the city at 226 West Second Street. Flint is one of only three cities in the Eastern District that has its own courthouse location, which makes accessing records more convenient for Genesee County residents than it is for most of Michigan. This page explains how to search Flint bankruptcy filings, what case documents contain, and the best ways to get copies of records.

Eastern District of Michigan - Flint Division

Flint is home to one of three Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court locations. The Flint Division courthouse is at 226 West Second Street, Flint, MI 48502. The clerk's phone is (810) 235-4126, and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Having the courthouse in the city itself means Flint residents can file and search records without traveling to Detroit or Bay City. Public access terminals are available in the Flint clerk's office for free in-person record searches.

The Flint Division serves Genesee County as well as Lapeer, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties. Flint and Genesee County have seen significant economic challenges in recent decades, and the city has historically had a higher-than-average bankruptcy filing rate compared to other Michigan cities. Chapter 7 filings are particularly common here, reflecting the economic pressures many residents face. Chapter 13 cases are also filed regularly, typically by filers who want to keep a home or vehicle and have income to support a repayment plan.

The Eastern District website at mieb.uscourts.gov has all local rules, filing guides, and court forms. The Flint Division page on that site lists the courthouse address, contact details, and specific local procedures that apply to cases filed in Flint.

How to Search Flint Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main system for searching Flint bankruptcy records online. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to create a free account. Once logged in, select the Eastern District of Michigan and search by debtor name, Social Security number, or case number. You can also run a national search if you are not sure which district a case was filed in. PACER covers both active and closed cases going back to roughly the early 1990s for most courts.

The search results show the case number, debtor name, filing date, chapter type, and status. Clicking on a case opens the docket sheet. Every document in the case file can be viewed from there. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your total PACER fees stay under $30 in a calendar quarter, those charges are waived. Many people who do occasional searches pay nothing.

Flint's courthouse also has public access terminals. These let you search and view case files for free while you are in the building. Printing costs $0.10 per page. The Flint clerk's office can help you use the terminal and navigate the system, but they cannot offer legal advice. This in-person option is convenient for Flint residents who want to review documents in detail.

For a quick phone check, call the Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029. This free automated line is available 24/7. It gives basic case info by debtor name or Social Security number. It does not give access to documents, but it can confirm whether a case was filed and give you the case number for further research in PACER.

What Flint Bankruptcy Records Contain

A Flint bankruptcy case file starts with the petition. The petition states the debtor's name, address, the chapter being filed under, and a partial Social Security number. Attached schedules list every asset and every debt. Schedule A and B cover real property and personal property respectively. Schedules D, E, and F list secured creditors, priority unsecured creditors, and general unsecured creditors. Schedules I and J show current monthly income and expenses. Together, these schedules are among the most detailed financial disclosures in any public record type available at the local level.

Chapter 7 cases include a means test. This form compares the debtor's household income to Michigan's median income for the same household size. If income is above the median, a more detailed analysis is required. Chapter 13 cases include a proposed repayment plan. The plan runs three to five years and must be approved by the court. Creditors and the trustee can object, and those filings become part of the public record.

The final order in most cases is a discharge order, which lists what debts were legally erased. Cases that end without a discharge receive a dismissal order instead. Both types of closing documents are public and fully searchable through PACER. As required by federal law, Social Security numbers in public documents are partially redacted, showing only the last four digits.

Filing Fees and Record Access Costs

Bankruptcy filing fees are set by federal law and apply equally across the Eastern District. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. These fees are paid to the bankruptcy court, not to Genesee County or the city of Flint. For Flint residents whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, a fee waiver is available. You apply for the waiver when you file the case. The waiver form and instructions are on the Eastern District website.

The Eastern District no-look attorney fee for Chapter 13 cases is $3,500. This is the amount courts will approve for attorney fees without requiring a separate fee application. Attorneys who charge more must file a fee application and justify the higher amount. Given Flint's economic circumstances, many residents file Chapter 7 without an attorney, which is legally permitted but requires careful preparation of all required forms.

For record access, PACER charges $0.10 per page up to $3.00 per document. The Flint courthouse terminal is free to use in person. Staff copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Mail requests can be sent to 226 West Second Street, Flint, MI 48502. The Eastern District's copy request guidance is at mieb.uscourts.gov/obtaining-copies-documents.

Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions

Michigan law protects certain property in bankruptcy. The homestead exemption under MCL 600.5451 shields up to $46,125 in home equity. For Flint homeowners, where home values are generally lower than in the Detroit suburbs, this exemption often covers the full equity in a home. Filers who are 65 or older, or who are disabled, get a higher exemption of $69,200. These protections matter most in Chapter 7, where the trustee looks at whether any non-exempt equity can be liquidated to pay creditors.

MCL 600.6023 lists additional exemptions for personal property: household goods and furniture, clothing, one vehicle (up to a set value), tools of the trade, and certain insurance benefits. Retirement accounts typically receive full protection under federal ERISA law, regardless of the state exemption system. That is worth noting for Flint residents who have pension benefits or 401k accounts they want to protect.

Michigan filers choose between the state exemption system and the federal system under 11 U.S.C. § 522. You must use one set or the other, not a mix. Most Michigan filers use state exemptions, but the federal system is sometimes better depending on what property you have. A legal aid attorney or private bankruptcy attorney can run this comparison for you before you file.

Local Resources for Flint Filers

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan has a Flint office and provides free or low-cost legal help to qualifying residents. Bankruptcy assistance may be available through their intake process. Their services are especially helpful for Flint residents who cannot afford private counsel. The Genesee County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service and can connect you with a bankruptcy attorney who practices in the Flint Division.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free statewide resource with bankruptcy guides, form instructions, and links to local legal aid. This site is a good starting point whether you want to understand your options, prepare to file on your own, or find an attorney. The site is updated regularly and provides accurate information on Michigan exemptions and federal bankruptcy law.

The Flint Public Library has computers available for public use and internet access. If you need to set up a PACER account or run a bankruptcy search and do not have home internet, the library can help. PACER registration is free. Once you have an account, you can search Flint bankruptcy records from anywhere at any time.

Flint Division Court Location

The Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court's court locations page at mieb.uscourts.gov/court-locations has the Flint Division address, phone number, and hours along with information on the other two court locations in the district.

The Flint courthouse at 226 West Second Street is the only Eastern District location in Genesee County, making it the most convenient option for Flint residents who need to file or search records in person.

Nearby Cities

These Michigan cities are near Flint and have bankruptcy records filed through the Eastern District of Michigan. Each has its own page with court and filing details.