Although people may have heard of the United States bankruptcy courts, there are many who are not aware of what it actually is. The United States bankruptcy courts are components of district courts that have the authority to hear cases specifically about bankruptcy cases. To learn more about it, read on for seven fast facts about your local Miami-Dade Bankruptcy Court.
1) It is located in downtown Miami.
The Miami-Dade Bankruptcy Court is situated right next to Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. The court’s exact address is 301 North Miami Ave Room 150, Miami, FL 33128.
2) There are entrance requirements.
When you go to the Miami-Dade Bankruptcy court, it is mandatory that you provide a current, valid, government-issued form of identification, such as a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or immigration card, as well as pass through courthouse security. You are also not allowed to bring cell phones, recording devices, cameras, or various kinds of electronic devices. However, the court has the power to grant someone permission to bring in an electronic device with a written order by a judge that is verified by the United States Marshal Service.
3) The court is closed on major national holidays.
If you run into an issue on any of the following holidays and need to visit the Miami-Dade bankruptcy court, you will have to wait until it reopens after: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
4) There are courtroom behavior rules.
The court has 20 specific guidelines that anyone who visits it must follow. They are strict and will be enforced at any given time, regardless of whether or not the judge is present in the courtroom. Among these 20 rules are: being dressed in business attire, standing when you are being addressed by the court, never speaking over another person, referring to every person in the courtroom by their surname and refraining from smoking and eating, as both food and drinks are prohibited in the courtroom at all times.
5) There are two other bankruptcy courts in South Florida.
Alongside Miami Dade, both Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are part of the Florida Southern District Bankruptcy Court. The Fort Lauderdale court is located at East Broward Boulevard Room 112, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The West Palm Beach court’s address is 1515 North Flagler Drive, Room 801, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
6) Credit counseling before filing a petition is imperative.
It is mandatory that one completes a credit counseling course before you file a petition with the court. The court offers a warning notice about the course that people must take. There is also a list of approved providers that offer the course on the U.S. Trustee website.
7) Cash payments cannot be sent via mail.
The court accepts payments by exact cash amounts, money order or through official/cashier’s checks – personal checks are not accepted. For the current filing fee, view the Clerk’s Summary of Fees.
If you have to file bankruptcy and realize that you are in need of legal assistance, don’t wait until the last minute to seek it. The Law Offices of Patrick L. Cordero want to give you the professional help you need. Give them a call today at (305) 445-4855 for a free, no-obligation consultation.