Pulaski County Bankruptcy Records

Pulaski County bankruptcy records are held in the federal court system under the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division. If you need to search for a bankruptcy case tied to Pulaski County, you go through the federal court, not the county courthouse. Cases include Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 13 repayment plans, and Chapter 11 reorganizations. This page covers where those records are kept, how to find them using PACER and the county clerk's office, and what legal resources exist for residents in the Pulaski area.

Western District Bankruptcy Court - Roanoke Division

Pulaski County falls under the Western District of Virginia for federal bankruptcy cases. The Roanoke Division handles filings from this county. You do not file bankruptcy at the county courthouse. Federal cases go through the Western District court at 210 Church Avenue SW in Roanoke. The court phone number is (540) 857-2391. This is also where you request official records or docket access.

The Western District of Virginia covers the western half of the state, including the New River Valley and surrounding communities where Pulaski County is located. The Roanoke Division handles a mix of consumer and business cases from across the region. The court's website at vawb.uscourts.gov provides local rules, required forms, filing guides, and a list of approved credit counseling agencies. Start there if you need to file or want to look up court procedures for the Western District.

Approved bankruptcy forms for the Western District are available at the court's forms page. If you are representing yourself, read the local rules carefully before filing. The court also posts a pro se filer guide to help people who do not have an attorney.

How to Search Pulaski County Bankruptcy Cases

PACER is the tool for searching federal bankruptcy records. It covers every federal court in the country, including the Western District of Virginia. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Searches cost $0.10 per page, but any quarterly total under $30 is waived. Most searches are free for casual users who do not look up many documents.

To find a Pulaski County case, log into PACER and select the Western District of Virginia. You can search by debtor name, case number, attorney name, or trustee. Results show the chapter filed, filing date, and current status. Drill into the docket to see all documents. This is useful for creditors, title searchers, and anyone checking whether a person or business has an open or past bankruptcy.

For phone access, call the Voice Case Information System at 1-866-222-8029. After the prompt, press 864 for Western District cases. VCIS provides basic case information over the phone at no cost. No account is needed. It is a quick option if you already have a case number or just need a status check.

State court records from Pulaski County are at eapps.courts.state.va.us. That portal does not include federal bankruptcy cases. Use PACER for bankruptcy and the state portal for civil or criminal case lookups.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk

The Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk handles state-level court records, land records, marriage licenses, wills, and probate filings. The office is at 45 Third Street NW in Pulaski and can be reached at (540) 980-7825. County information is also available through pulaskicounty.org. These records are separate from federal bankruptcy cases but relevant if you are doing a title search or checking for state civil judgments.

When a Pulaski County resident files bankruptcy, the automatic stay created by the federal filing can halt state-level collection actions, including some state court proceedings. Notices related to the bankruptcy may also get recorded in county land records. If you are researching a property or a business in Pulaski County, check both PACER and the county clerk records for a complete picture.

Copy fees at the circuit court clerk's office are $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. Call the office before visiting to confirm current hours and what you need to bring. The clerk handles court, land, marriage, and probate records for the county.

The screenshot below shows the Pulaski County government website, the primary source for county contact details, court links, and public services information.

The county portal links to the circuit court clerk, local services, and other resources for residents dealing with court-related matters in Pulaski County.

The screenshot below shows the Virginia Judicial System circuit court directory for Pulaski County, which provides official court links and case access tools.

This state resource connects you to the Pulaski County Circuit Court clerk and the tools for searching state-level case records.

Chapter Types Filed by Pulaski County Residents

Chapter 7 is the most common filing for individuals in Pulaski County. It discharges most unsecured debts quickly. You pay the $338 filing fee, and most cases close in about four months. The means test checks your income against the Virginia median for your household size. If your income is too high, the court may dismiss the case or push you to file Chapter 13 instead.

Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that lasts three to five years. The filing fee is $313. People who are behind on a mortgage or want to keep a vehicle often use Chapter 13. You propose a plan, the court approves it, and you make monthly payments to a trustee. At the end, remaining eligible debts may be discharged. Chapter 13 can be a good fit if you have steady income and assets worth protecting.

Chapter 11 is less common in Pulaski County. It is mainly used by businesses that want to continue operating while restructuring debts. Individuals with very high debt levels sometimes use Chapter 11 when they exceed Chapter 13 debt limits. All chapter types show up in PACER and are part of the public court record.

Note: Federal law requires credit counseling before filing and a debtor education course before discharge. Both must come from providers on the U.S. Trustee-approved list.

What Pulaski County Bankruptcy Records Contain

A bankruptcy case file starts with the voluntary petition. It names the debtor, gives an address, and identifies the chapter. The schedules that come with the petition cover all assets, all debts, income, and monthly expenses. These documents are public. Anyone with a PACER account can pull them from the Western District of Virginia docket.

The file also includes a creditor matrix, which lists everyone the debtor owes. The statement of financial affairs covers recent financial activity, payments made before filing, and any pending lawsuits. In Chapter 7 cases, the means test form is part of the record. The 341 meeting notice sets the date and location for the creditors' meeting. All of these go into the public docket.

Common documents found in a bankruptcy case file:

• Voluntary petition with debtor name and address
• Schedules A through J covering assets, debts, income, and expenses
• Statement of financial affairs
• Means test calculation for Chapter 7 cases
• Creditor matrix listing all creditors
• Discharge order if the case was completed successfully

Social Security numbers are redacted in public filings. Names of minor children are also limited. Call the Roanoke Division at (540) 857-2391 if you have questions about what is available in a specific case.

Legal Resources for Pulaski County Filers

Virginia Legal Aid at valegalaid.org serves low-income residents across Virginia and can help with bankruptcy questions, form preparation, and referrals. Income guidelines apply. Check their site or call to confirm whether Pulaski County is in their service area and what help is available.

The Western District bankruptcy court does not require an attorney for individual filers. But bankruptcy is complicated, and mistakes can cost you. Most people get better results with legal help. The court website at vawb.uscourts.gov posts a list of local attorneys and pro se filer resources to help you get started.

For older closed cases no longer in active PACER storage, the National Archives holds the records. Visit archives.gov/research/court-records to request files from cases that were closed many years ago. You can submit requests by mail or through the online archives portal.

Virginia's FOIA law under Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs state agency records. Federal bankruptcy files follow separate federal access rules. State FOIA does not apply to PACER records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Pulaski County in southwestern Virginia. Several are also in the Western District, Roanoke Division.