Drew County Bankruptcy Records
Drew County bankruptcy records are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. This guide explains how to find case filings through PACER, what information those records contain, and how to contact the Drew County Circuit Clerk for related state court documents.
Drew County at a Glance
Federal Bankruptcy Court Serving Drew County
Drew County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Residents and businesses in Monticello and across Drew County file their petitions with this federal court, not the local circuit court. The main courthouse is at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The court can be reached at 501-918-5500. All court filings are processed and stored electronically through the CM/ECF system.
The Eastern District covers 41 counties in Arkansas. Drew County is one of them. When a bankruptcy case is filed, it is assigned a case number and a judge. The case then proceeds based on the chapter filed under. Chapter 7 is a liquidation proceeding. Chapter 13 is a wage earner's repayment plan. Chapter 11 is for business reorganizations. Filing fees differ by chapter: $78 administrative fee for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and $571 for Chapter 11 petitions. These fees are paid at the time of filing.
The bankruptcy clerk's office cannot give legal advice. Staff can explain filing procedures and confirm what documents are required, but they cannot tell you which chapter to file or whether your case will succeed. For legal guidance, Drew County residents can reach out to Arkansas Legal Aid programs or the Arkansas Bar Association referral line.
PACER Case Search for Drew County Bankruptcy Filings
PACER is the federal government's online access service for court records. To search Drew County bankruptcy cases, go to pacer.uscourts.gov and create a free account. You can register with a credit card and get same-day access, or register without one and wait up to a week for mail delivery of your login credentials.
Once logged in, navigate to the Eastern District of Arkansas Bankruptcy Court. Search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a social security number. Results show the case type, filing date, trustee name, attorney information, and current case status. Each page of results costs $0.10. A single document tops out at $3.00. Quarterly charges under $30 are typically waived. The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov lets you run a nationwide search if you are not certain which district handled a case.
For phone access, the Multi-court Voice Case Information System runs around the clock. Call 1-866-222-8029 and have the case number or debtor name ready. This free automated system gives basic case facts without requiring a login.
Drew County Circuit Clerk and State Court Records
Circuit Clerk Beverly Burks maintains state-level court records at the Drew County Courthouse in Monticello. The office is at 210 S. Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Phone: 870-460-6250. Fax: 870-460-6255. Email: drewcountycircuitclerk@yahoo.com.
The Circuit Clerk keeps records for civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and probate proceedings in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Bankruptcy filings are federal and are not stored here. However, judgment liens, deed of trust records, and property liens filed in Drew County are kept in this office since the Circuit Clerk also serves as the ex-officio recorder of deeds.
County Clerk Stephanie Chisom handles probate court documents, marriage licenses, and voter registration. Phone: 870-460-6200. Both offices operate from the same courthouse address. Walk-in visits are recommended during normal business hours. Call ahead if you need a large volume of copies, as the office may require advance notice and prepayment for extensive requests.
What Drew County Bankruptcy Records Include
A typical Drew County bankruptcy case file includes the debtor's full name and address, the chapter filed under, and the case number assigned by the court. The filing date, the assigned judge, the trustee's name, and creditor information are all part of the public record. When the case ends, the discharge date or dismissal order gets added.
Social security numbers are partially masked in all public records. Only the last four digits appear. Certain personal financial details and sealed filings are not viewable online. Most of the core file, including the petition, schedules, and any adversary proceedings, is accessible through PACER to anyone with a registered account.
Business bankruptcies add more data to the file. Corporate filings include the entity name, principal place of business, list of officers, and schedules of assets and liabilities. Chapter 11 plans of reorganization are also part of the public record and can be reviewed through PACER.
CourtConnect and Online State Case Search
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov gives public access to state circuit court cases. This portal covers Drew County civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations filings. It does not include federal bankruptcy cases, but it is useful for checking whether someone had prior civil judgments or state court liens before or after a bankruptcy filing.
Searches are free and can be done by name or case number. Some records are restricted under Administrative Order 19. Sensitive case types may not display all information publicly. For full access, visit the Drew County Courthouse and ask the Circuit Clerk to pull the file in person. Office hours are generally weekdays during normal business hours.
Drew County Bankruptcy Exemptions Under Arkansas Law
Arkansas allows bankruptcy filers to choose between state and federal exemption sets. Under state law, the homestead exemption under Arkansas Code Section 16-66-210 protects a rural home on up to 160 acres or an urban home on up to one acre. Value limits apply. Personal property protections cover clothing, wedding rings, and a portion of general personal property for married filers and heads of household.
Arkansas also protects Social Security income, workers' compensation benefits, unemployment payments, and most retirement funds from creditors in a bankruptcy case. The bankruptcy trustee reviews all exemption claims as part of the standard case process. Creditors have a window to object to claimed exemptions. If no objection is filed, the exemptions stand and that property is shielded from the bankruptcy estate.
Nearby Counties
Drew County shares borders with several neighboring counties in southeast Arkansas. All of them fall under the Eastern District for federal bankruptcy purposes.