Lewis County Bankruptcy Records
Lewis County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, headquartered in Nashville. This page explains how to search those records using PACER, the court's public access tools, and the free VCIS phone line, and covers what filers in Hohenwald and the rest of Lewis County need to know about fees, case contents, and where to get help.
Lewis County Bankruptcy Quick Facts
Middle District Court for Lewis County
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee handles all bankruptcy cases from Lewis County. The courthouse is at 701 Broadway, Room 170, Nashville, TN 37203. The phone number is (615) 736-5584. Lewis County has no local division court of its own, so all filings go directly to Nashville. The court's website is tnmb.uscourts.gov, where you can download forms, read local rules, and check the fee schedule.
Hohenwald is the county seat of Lewis County. It sits in the hills of middle Tennessee, about 80 miles southwest of Nashville. While the county is small by population, the same federal rules apply here as in any other Tennessee county. Filers must meet federal eligibility standards, complete a credit counseling course before filing, and attend a 341 meeting of creditors after the case is filed. For Lewis County residents, those meetings are held in Nashville.
The court clerk in Nashville can help you pull paper records for older cases, request certified copies, or locate a case number. Call before visiting, as office hours can vary. Bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have when you go in person.
Lewis County Government and Local Records
The Lewis County government website provides contact details for county offices including the Circuit Court Clerk, who handles state-level civil and criminal matters in Hohenwald.
Note that the county circuit court does not handle federal bankruptcy filings. However, it can be useful to check state court records for related civil actions, judgment liens, or foreclosure proceedings that sometimes accompany a bankruptcy case.
The Middle District Bankruptcy Court website is the main online resource for searching Lewis County bankruptcy cases and reviewing court filings.
This site links directly to PACER and lists local rules specific to the Middle District that apply to all Lewis County filings.
Search Lewis County Cases with PACER
PACER is the main way to find bankruptcy records online. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov and then log in to the Middle District of Tennessee court. You can search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Each page you view costs 10 cents, but the maximum charge for any single document is $3. If you spend less than $30 in a calendar quarter, PACER waives the fee entirely.
Once you find a case, the docket lists every event in the filing from the petition date through discharge or dismissal. You can see what documents have been filed, read the status of any pending motions, and download full documents. Attorneys file most documents electronically, so most records are available online within a day or two of being submitted to the court.
If you are not sure which district a person filed in, start at the PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov. This tool searches all federal bankruptcy courts at once and returns results with a link to the right court. Enter a name and Tennessee as the state to narrow down results quickly.
For a free phone option, call VCIS at 866-222-8029 and press extension 816 for the Middle District. The system runs 24 hours a day. It reads back basic case information including filing date, chapter type, and case status. Have the debtor's name or case number ready before you call.
What Lewis County Bankruptcy Records Contain
A standard Lewis County bankruptcy file includes the original petition, a list of all creditors with amounts owed, a schedule of the debtor's assets and property, monthly income and expense statements, and a statement of financial affairs. For Chapter 7 cases, the file will also include the trustee's report, any objections filed by creditors, and a discharge order if the case completes. Chapter 13 cases include a proposed repayment plan, any amended plans, and the confirmation order from the judge.
Federal law under 11 U.S.C. Section 107 sets the rules for what is public and what is private. Full Social Security numbers are never shown in public documents. Bank account numbers are cut to the last four digits. In rare cases a judge can seal a record, but the docket entry still shows that the document exists. Most Lewis County case files are fully public and available through PACER.
Older cases that predate the electronic system may be stored in paper form at the courthouse or transferred to the National Archives. Check archives.gov/research/court-records for instructions on requesting archived federal court records through NARA.
Filing Fees and Chapter Types in Lewis County
Lewis County residents can file under several chapters of the federal bankruptcy code. Chapter 7 is the most common for individuals. It lets you wipe out most unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills after a trustee reviews your assets. The filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that runs three to five years. The fee is $313. Chapter 11 costs $1,717 and is designed for businesses or individuals with debt above the Chapter 13 limits.
Filers who cannot pay all at once may ask the court for permission to pay in installments. The request must be made at filing. For Chapter 7 cases, people with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty line may apply for a full fee waiver. The waiver form is available on the Middle District website and must be submitted with the petition.
When a case is filed, an automatic stay goes into effect right away. This stops most collection actions, including wage garnishments, utility shutoffs, and foreclosures. The stay lasts until the case is resolved. Creditors who want to lift the stay must file a motion with the court. Lewis County residents should be aware that the stay does not stop all legal actions, such as certain domestic support obligations or criminal proceedings.
Lewis County filers must also complete a debtor education course after filing and before discharge. This is separate from the credit counseling course required before filing. Both courses must come from providers approved by the U.S. Trustee program.
Tennessee Public Records Law and Bankruptcy Access
Federal bankruptcy cases are governed by federal public access rules, not state open records law. However, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 10-7-503 covers the state's general public records policy, which applies to documents held by state and local agencies in Lewis County such as the circuit court clerk and county register.
State court records for Lewis County, including civil judgments and lien filings that may relate to a bankruptcy case, can be checked through the Tennessee state court portal at tncourts.gov.
Nearby Counties
Lewis County borders several counties in middle Tennessee. Bankruptcy records for each are also filed with the Middle District court in Nashville.