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Columbus, GA Bankruptcy FAQs

• Where do I file for bankruptcy in Columbus, Georgia?

  Columbus residents can file for bankruptcy at the Columbus location of the United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Georgia at 901 Front Avenue, One Arsenal Place, Columbus, GA 31902.

• Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Columbus, Georgia?

  Columbus residents can get federal and local bankruptcy forms online at the United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Georgia's website.

• How long does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stay on your credit record in Columbus?

  In Columbus, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on your credit record or report for a period of 7 to 10 years after filing. Records pointing to a bankruptcy filing in your credit report, such as discharged debt accounts, can stay on your report for seven years but will show a balance of $0.

• In Columbus, can filing for personal bankruptcy stop home foreclosures?

  Yes, applicable laws in the Columbus area generally provide an automatic stay of collection rights when an individual files for bankruptcy. Specifically, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy temporarily halts the foreclosure proceedings until the automatic stay is lifted through a court motion or negotiations between the parties. In addition, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows a debtor to prevent foreclosure by restructuring their current loans into a court-mandated repayment plan.

• Does the bankruptcy court report your bankruptcy filing to the three credit bureaus about in Columbus?

  No, the bankruptcy court in Columbus does not send information to the three credit bureaus about your bankruptcy filing. These agencies can still access your bankruptcy information because information filed with the bankruptcy courts is publicly available. Bankruptcies can stay on your credit report for up to a decade after filing, depending on the type of bankruptcy you filed and your credit reporting agency.

• In Columbus, who is notified when your bankruptcy is finished and you get your debts discharged?

  As a general rule, the bankruptcy court in Columbus sends you and any legal counsel you retain a copy of your order of discharge by mail after your filing is finished. It also sends copies to creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing. This document contains information regarding what debts were discharged.

• Is there a residency requirement when filing for bankruptcy in Columbus?

  The general rule applicable to Columbus states that you must have lived in the US Bankruptcy Court District where you plan on filing for bankruptcy for the majority of the past 180 days, namely at least 91 days. You can still file for bankruptcies in other districts, but bankruptcy courts can require your case to be removed to the proper district.