Sampson County Bankruptcy Records
Sampson County bankruptcy records are filed through the Fayetteville Division of the Eastern District of North Carolina. The county seat is Clinton. Sampson County was established in 1784 and has a population of about 63,500 people. Bankruptcy filings from Sampson County are federal records open to the public. You can search them through PACER or by contacting the court directly. This page explains how to find and access Sampson County bankruptcy case records.
Sampson County Quick Facts
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Sampson County
The Eastern District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court handles all bankruptcy filings from Sampson County. Cases go to the Fayetteville Division. This division also serves Cumberland and Robeson counties. The court maintains offices in several cities across the Eastern District, including Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, New Bern, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Wilson.
Sampson County was named for John Sampson. The county seat of Clinton was incorporated in 1852. The Sampson County Clerk of Court, Norman Wayne Naylor, manages state court records at the courthouse at 101 E. Main Street in Clinton. For federal bankruptcy records, the Eastern District court in Fayetteville is the correct office.
The Fayetteville Division holds 341 meetings of creditors at local venues. These meetings are part of every Sampson County bankruptcy case. The trustee assigned to the case runs the meeting and asks the debtor questions about their finances and filings.
How to Search Sampson County Bankruptcy Records
The fastest way to find Sampson County bankruptcy records is through PACER. This federal system stores all court filings electronically. You can search by name, case number, or date range. A small fee applies per page, but the first $30 per quarter is free. PACER covers all Eastern District cases, including every Sampson County filing.
VCIS is another option. Dial 866-222-8029 for free case information by phone. You can check on filing dates, case status, and discharge dates for any Sampson County bankruptcy. The phone system works at all hours.
The Sampson County courthouse in Clinton has the Clerk of Court office in Room 114 at 101 E. Main Street. You can reach them at 910-596-6600. While this office handles state records, staff can often point you toward the right federal court contact for bankruptcy questions about Sampson County.
Note: All visitors to the Sampson County courthouse must pass through a security checkpoint, and cell phones are not allowed in courtrooms.
What Sampson County Bankruptcy Records Contain
Bankruptcy records from Sampson County include the full case file. The petition starts each case. It lists the debtor's name, address, chapter filed, and basic financial data. Schedules break down every asset, debt, income source, and expense.
A Sampson County bankruptcy case file typically includes:
- Voluntary petition and schedules
- Statement of financial affairs
- Creditor list with amounts owed
- Chapter 13 repayment plan if applicable
- Trustee reports and payment records
- Discharge or dismissal orders
Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, most of these documents are public records. Anyone can view them. Some personal details are redacted. The court removes full Social Security numbers and certain financial account numbers from public copies of Sampson County bankruptcy filings.
Sampson County Court and Records Resources
The Eastern District court website has forms, fee schedules, and local rules for Sampson County bankruptcy cases. Visit the court locations page for office addresses, phone numbers, and hours for the Fayetteville Division.
The Eastern District site provides filing tools, case lookup links, and contact details for each division that serves Sampson County.
The Sampson County government website has general information about county offices. The Register of Deeds, Eleanor Bradshaw, can be reached at 910-592-8026 at the Courthouse Annex on 126-A West Elizabeth Street in Clinton. Property records there may relate to bankruptcy cases in Sampson County.
The NC Judicial Branch court records page explains how to get state-level records. For historical federal cases from Sampson County, check the National Archives.
Court Details for Sampson County Cases
The table below provides key contact information for the courts that serve Sampson County bankruptcy filers.
| Court |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of NC Fayetteville Division Phone: 910-596-6600 (Sampson County Clerk) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | nceb.uscourts.gov |
Bankruptcy Chapters in Sampson County
Most Sampson County residents file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation that wipes out most unsecured debt. It usually takes about four months. The trustee checks for non-exempt assets but most cases have none to sell. Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan lasting three to five years. Filers keep their property while catching up on missed payments.
Chapter 11 filings cover business reorganizations. Chapter 12 serves family farmers and fishermen. Both are less common in Sampson County but create the same type of public records in the Eastern District court system. All case documents are stored electronically and can be searched through PACER.
The North Carolina State Records site offers a guide to finding bankruptcy records across the state, including Sampson County filings.
Note: Credit counseling is required before filing bankruptcy in Sampson County, and a financial management course is needed before discharge.
Nearby Counties
These counties are close to Sampson County. Check the debtor's address to confirm which court division handles the filing.