Bankruptcy Court Clerks' Offices

• The most direct way to search bankruptcies is to visit or contact a particular bankruptcy court clerk's office at the courthouse. The typical bankruptcy court clerk's office is designed to be as user or consumer friendly as possible. Through the clerk's office you can obtain basic information about the status of proceedings, documents relating to cases as well as listings of property--real estate and personal--that is set to be sold as part of a bankruptcy process.
  
  A benefit to visiting a bankruptcy court clerk's office is that it allows you the chance to develop a relationship with the staff (or at least a staff member). If you intend to become involved in an endeavor such as investing in bankruptcy real estate this type of connection is an invaluable resource for you.
  
  

Bankruptrcy Court Websites

• An increasing number of bankruptcy courts maintain online portals through which you can access information about pending cases. At a minimum, these Internet-based resources provide you the ability to obtain information about the status of a case and scheduled hearings and other proceedings. Although you may not be able to review entire documents and pleadings filed with the court through the court's website, you likely are able to order a copy and have the material sent to you.
  
  Using the Internet websites maintained by bankruptcy courts is an efficient way in which you can access at least some basic information about cases across the country. You can undertake this task efficiently and from the comfort of your own home or office.
  
  

Private Services

• There are a variety of private services on the Internet that offer different levels of access to bankruptcy court information. Through these for-profit enterprises you theoretically are able to search bankruptcies throughout the United States.
  
  The primary benefit of this type of online service is a time savings on your part. Some one else does the work for you. However, the services charge fees for this assistance. If you desire to collect a great deal of bankruptcy related information from many different cases around the country, such a service may make sense for you.