Find Shiawassee County Bankruptcy Records

Shiawassee County bankruptcy records are filed with the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court, Flint Division. Cases from Corunna and throughout Shiawassee County go to the Flint courthouse at 226 West Second Street, about 20 miles east of the county seat. Residents can search these records through PACER online, by calling the free VCIS phone line, or by visiting the Flint courthouse in person. This guide explains how the process works, what the records contain, what access costs, and where to find help in the area.

Eastern District of Michigan - Flint Division

Shiawassee County is assigned to the Flint Division of the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court. The Flint courthouse at 226 West Second Street is the closest of the three Eastern District locations for most Shiawassee County residents. Corunna is roughly 20 miles from Flint. The Flint Division also handles cases from Genesee, Lapeer, and Livingston counties. Shiawassee County filers who need to attend a hearing or visit the courthouse will find the Flint location considerably closer than Detroit or Bay City.

The Flint clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The phone is (810) 235-4126. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's lobby at no charge for viewing records. The main Eastern District website at mieb.uscourts.gov provides court forms, local rules, fee schedules, and all location information. Court location details are at mieb.uscourts.gov/court-locations.

The Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N Shiawassee St, Corunna, MI 48817, phone (989) 743-2242, handles state and county court records. That office does not manage federal bankruptcy filings. For bankruptcy records, PACER and the Flint courthouse are the correct sources.

How to Search Shiawassee County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main way to search federal bankruptcy records for Shiawassee County cases and all other Eastern District filings. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. After logging in, select the Eastern District of Michigan. Search by debtor name, Social Security number, or case number. PACER pulls up every case in the district, so you do not need to specify the Flint Division separately. Results show the full docket and let you view and download any filed document. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are not billed at all. PACER details for this court are at mieb.uscourts.gov/pacer.

The VCIS line at 866-222-8029 runs 24 hours a day and is completely free. It is an automated phone system. Enter a name or Social Security number to hear basic case details. You cannot get documents through VCIS, but it is a fast confirmation of whether a case exists and what status it is in.

In person, you can visit the Flint courthouse at 226 West Second Street. Free public terminals are available during clerk's office hours. Printing at the terminal costs $0.10 per page. Staff can make copies at $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Because Flint is a short drive from most of Shiawassee County, in-person access is more practical here than for some of the more distant Eastern District counties.

What Shiawassee County Bankruptcy Records Contain

Shiawassee County bankruptcy case files are public federal records. Every case starts with a petition and schedules. The petition names the debtor and states the chapter type. The schedules list all property with values, all debts by type, and monthly income and expenses. The statement of financial affairs adds recent income history and financial transactions. These are standard federal forms filed in every case, and they are searchable and viewable through PACER.

Chapter 7 cases include a means test form verifying income eligibility. The trustee reviews assets and files a report. If non-exempt property exists and has value, the trustee will sell it and distribute the proceeds. Those trustee records become part of the case file. Chapter 13 cases are more complex. They include a repayment plan with proposed monthly payments over three to five years, creditor proofs of claim, any plan amendments, and the plan confirmation order. Every creditor objection and every docket entry is part of the permanent record available in PACER.

At close, the case ends either with a discharge order or a dismissal. The discharge order specifies which debts are eliminated. This is often the most requested document in closed cases, particularly when a former creditor or lender needs confirmation that a debt was wiped out.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs

Bankruptcy filing fees are set by federal statute and apply uniformly across the Eastern District. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Fee waivers are available for filers below 150% of the federal poverty level. The waiver application is filed along with the petition. Installment payment arrangements are also available with court approval for those who cannot pay the full amount upfront.

For Chapter 13 cases in the Eastern District of Michigan, the standard No-Look Fee for attorney compensation is $3,500. This is the flat presumed-reasonable rate the court uses without requiring detailed billing review. Cases that are more complex may have higher attorney fees approved by the judge.

To get copies of records: PACER access costs $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document, with fees waived under $30 per quarter. Courthouse terminal viewing is free, and printing is $0.10 per page. Staff copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Mail requests go to the Flint Division at 226 West Second Street, Flint, MI 48502. Full instructions are at mieb.uscourts.gov/obtaining-copies-documents.

Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions

Michigan law lets filers protect key assets when they file for bankruptcy. The main protection is the homestead exemption under MCL 600.5451. This statute allows filers to protect up to $46,125 in home equity, or $69,200 for those who are 65 or older or disabled. Shiawassee County has a mix of smaller cities, farm properties, and rural homes with a wide range of values. For many residents, the exemption covers the full amount of equity in a modest home, making Chapter 7 viable without losing the house.

MCL 600.6023 provides additional state exemptions for clothing, household goods, one vehicle up to a set value, tools or equipment used in a trade or business, and retirement accounts. Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522 are available as an alternative. You must choose one system and stick with it. Mixing between state and federal exemptions is not permitted. A bankruptcy attorney can walk through both sets with you before you file and help you pick the option that protects the most property given what you own.

Always check the current statute or consult an attorney before filing. Exemption dollar amounts can change, and the figures above may not reflect the most current adjustments.

Local Resources in Shiawassee County

The Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N Shiawassee St, Corunna, MI 48817, phone (989) 743-2242, handles local state court records. This office cannot assist with federal bankruptcy matters, but they can help direct you to the right contacts if you have questions about state court proceedings that may be related to a debt or judgment matter.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides and self-help tools for bankruptcy and debt situations. The Flint area has bankruptcy attorneys who regularly handle Shiawassee County cases and are familiar with Flint Division procedures. The State Bar of Michigan referral service connects you with a licensed bankruptcy attorney, often at a low initial consultation fee. Because Corunna is only about 20 miles from Flint, filers can more easily meet in person with attorneys or visit the courthouse compared to counties that are farther from a federal courthouse.

Flint Division Court Location

The Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court's official court locations page at mieb.uscourts.gov/court-locations lists the Flint Division address and contact information for Shiawassee County filers.

Shiawassee County residents can access the Flint courthouse for in-person record access or use PACER from home to search and download bankruptcy case documents.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Shiawassee County and file through the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court.