Yates County Bankruptcy Records
Yates County bankruptcy records are filed at the Western District of New York Bankruptcy Court in Rochester. The county seat is Penn Yan, where the Yates County Clerk keeps state court records and land filings for the 7th Judicial District. Yates County is one of the smaller counties in the Finger Lakes region, located at the northern end of Keuka Lake. PACER provides online access to all modern bankruptcy filings from the county. Here is what you need to know about searching Yates County bankruptcy records.
Yates County Overview
Yates County Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York handles all Yates County bankruptcy cases at its Rochester office. The courthouse is at 100 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone is 585-613-4200. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. There is no federal courthouse in Penn Yan.
The Western District has offices in Buffalo and Rochester. Yates County falls in the eastern part of the district, so cases go through Rochester. All filings, hearings, and 341 meetings of creditors for Yates County residents happen at the Rochester courthouse. The district serves 17 counties total across western New York.
Public terminals at the Rochester courthouse let you look up cases at no charge. Copies cost $0.50 per page from the electronic case file. Payment must be exact change, money order, or certified check. Staff at the Clerk's Office can help you find the right documents.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Western District of New York |
|---|---|
| Address | Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building 100 State Street Rochester, NY 14614 |
| Phone | 585-613-4200 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Search Yates County Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER is the best way to search Yates County bankruptcy records from home. Create a free account, then search by debtor name or case number. Fees are $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your quarterly charges stay below $30, they get waived.
VCIS at 866-222-8029 provides free phone access to basic case data 24 hours a day. You get filing dates, chapter type, case status, and trustee name. No documents through VCIS. For full case files, use PACER or visit Rochester.
The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts nationwide. Use it when you are not sure which district handled a case. The eCourts portal covers New York state court records, including Yates County Supreme Court filings that may tie into a bankruptcy case.
The Yates County Clerk's website provides information on county records and services that relate to Yates County bankruptcy records research.
The Clerk's office in Penn Yan handles land records, court filings, and other documents for the county.
Yates County Clerk's Office
The Yates County Clerk is at 415 Liberty Street in Penn Yan, NY 14527. Phone is 315-536-5120. The Clerk handles Supreme Court and County Court records for the 7th Judicial District. Land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgment dockets are all on file at this office.
Yates County is one of the least populated counties in New York. The Clerk's office is small but handles the same types of records as larger counties. Deeds, mortgages, and liens filed here become part of the public record. When someone files for bankruptcy, the trustee checks these records to see what property the debtor owns and what claims exist against it.
Judgment liens from state court can become part of a bankruptcy case. If a creditor has a judgment filed at the Yates County Clerk, that lien attaches to the debtor's real property in the county. The bankruptcy trustee must deal with these liens as part of the case.
| County Clerk | Yates County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 Liberty Street Penn Yan, NY 14527 |
| Phone | 315-536-5120 |
Getting Copies of Yates County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the quickest route. Log in, search for the case, download what you need. Most records from the past 15 to 20 years are available electronically. Written opinions are free to view on PACER.
At the Rochester courthouse, copies cost $0.50 per page. Bring exact change or a money order. Staff can help you find specific documents. Meeting of creditors for Yates County cases happen in Rochester.
Cases that closed before the electronic system may be at the National Archives. Contact the bankruptcy court first for transfer details. Then file NARA Form 90 to get the case. A complete file costs $90 from NARA.
Yates County Bankruptcy Exemptions
Yates County filers pick between New York state exemptions and federal exemptions. The state homestead exemption is $102,400 for Yates County. Motor vehicle exemption is $5,500 above liens. Retirement accounts are shielded up to $1,711,975.
Under Section 282 of the Debtor and Creditor Law, you need 730 days of New York residency to claim state exemptions. The Department of Financial Services updates the figures every three years. Social Security, unemployment, and veterans' benefits are fully exempt.
Note: Credit counseling before filing and debtor education before discharge are both required.
Filing Costs
Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738. Fee waivers and installment plans are available. The U.S. Trustee Program lists approved counseling and education providers. Most courses cost $15 to $50 and can be done online or by phone.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Yates County. All are in the Western District.