Find Framingham Bankruptcy Records
Framingham bankruptcy records are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts, Eastern Division, located in Boston. Framingham sits in Middlesex County, and all bankruptcy cases from the city go through the Boston court at 5 Post Office Square. This guide covers how to search those records, how to access case documents, what types of cases are filed, and where to get help if you need it in Framingham or the MetroWest area.
Framingham Quick Facts
Framingham Bankruptcy Court Location
Framingham filers go to the Eastern Division court in Boston. The address is 5 Post Office Square, Suite 1150, Boston, MA 02109. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The filing cutoff is 4:30 p.m. Call the court at (617) 748-5300 with questions before you visit.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 5 Post Office Square, Suite 1150 Boston, MA 02109 |
| Phone | (617) 748-5300 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (filing until 4:30 PM) |
| Website | mab.uscourts.gov |
Getting from Framingham to Boston takes about 30 to 45 minutes by commuter rail. The Framingham/Worcester Line runs into South Station. From South Station, the bankruptcy court is a short walk or quick subway ride away. If you drive, parking near 5 Post Office Square is available but can be costly. Plan ahead.
The screenshot below shows the U.S. Bankruptcy Court main website, which is the central resource for all Framingham bankruptcy records and filing information.
The court site has links to local rules, filing guides, fee schedules, and the court's location details.
The court's location page at mab.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations lists both the Eastern and Central Division addresses with directions. Framingham cases go to Boston, not Worcester. That is worth confirming before you make the trip.
How to Search Framingham Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main tool for searching Framingham bankruptcy records online. PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. You can access it at pacer.uscourts.gov. Create a free account, then select the District of Massachusetts to search. Access costs $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly charges stay under $30, the court waives the fee entirely. Many occasional users pay nothing.
Within PACER, you can search by debtor name, case number, tax ID, or Social Security number. Results show the chapter type, filing date, case status, assigned judge, and trustee. Each docket entry links to the filed document. PACER covers all Framingham bankruptcy records going back many years and is available 24 hours a day.
The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) is a free phone option. Call 1-866-222-8029 and press 1 for Massachusetts. You can get basic case info including status, hearing dates, and trustee names without logging into anything online. It runs around the clock and costs nothing. It is useful when you need a quick answer about a Framingham bankruptcy case and do not want to log into PACER.
For in-person access, go to the clerk's office in Boston. Public terminals are available for searching on-site. Staff can assist if you have a name or case number. Certified copies cost $12.00 each. Regular photocopies cost $0.50 per page. If you ask the clerk to conduct the search, expect a $34.00 search fee.
The state also publishes guidance on bankruptcy at mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-bankruptcy. That page covers the interaction between state exemptions and federal bankruptcy law, which directly affects what Framingham filers can keep when they file.
Bankruptcy Chapters Filed by Framingham Residents
Framingham residents file under three primary chapters of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 7 is the most common. It is a liquidation process that wipes out most unsecured debts in exchange for surrendering non-exempt assets. For people dealing with credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans, Chapter 7 usually resolves in three to six months. The filing fee is $338.
Chapter 13 is an option for Framingham homeowners who want to keep their property. Under Chapter 13, you propose a three- to five-year repayment plan to catch up on arrears and reorganize your debts. Given Framingham's rising housing costs, Chapter 13 sees real use among homeowners who are behind on mortgage payments but still want to stay in their homes. The filing fee is $313. The plan must be approved by the court and a trustee monitors payments throughout.
The Massachusetts homestead exemption is a key protection for Framingham filers who own a home. If you have filed a declaration of homestead, up to $500,000 of your home equity is protected under state law. Without a declaration, an automatic exemption of $125,000 applies under 11 U.S.C. § 522. Given property values in Middlesex County, this distinction matters. Filing the declaration before bankruptcy is generally the smarter move.
Chapter 11 is the business reorganization chapter. Small businesses in Framingham can use Chapter 11 to restructure debts and keep operating. The Subchapter V small business track, added in 2019, makes Chapter 11 faster and less costly for smaller entities. The filing fee for Chapter 11 is $1,738. These cases become part of the public Framingham bankruptcy records available through PACER.
Framingham's diverse economy, which includes retail, healthcare, and a large Brazilian-American business community, means a range of filers appear in the bankruptcy records. Consumer cases and small business cases both turn up with some regularity.
Legal Aid in Framingham and MetroWest
MetroWest Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents of the Framingham area, including bankruptcy matters. Their phone number is (508) 620-1830. Call to ask about eligibility and available services. MetroWest Legal Services is the closest dedicated legal aid option for Framingham residents who cannot afford a private attorney.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) also serves Middlesex County residents. GBLS can be reached at (617) 371-1234 or toll-free at 1-800-323-3205. Their website is at gbls.org. GBLS covers a wide range of civil matters and handles bankruptcy cases for qualifying individuals. Framingham residents who do not qualify through MetroWest may find help through GBLS.
The state fallback image below shows the PACER homepage, the primary online tool for accessing Framingham bankruptcy records.
PACER gives you online access to case dockets and documents for all Framingham cases on file in the District of Massachusetts.
If you are looking for a private attorney and need a referral, the Middlesex County Bar Association can help. You can also visit the court's FAQ page at mab.uscourts.gov/faqs-debtors for answers to common questions about bankruptcy in Massachusetts. Many Framingham-area attorneys offer free first consultations for bankruptcy cases.
Filing Without an Attorney in Framingham
Framingham residents can file for bankruptcy on their own. The court calls this filing pro se. The court permits it, though it warns that mistakes in bankruptcy filings can hurt your case or delay your discharge. Start with the debtor information page at mab.uscourts.gov/faqs-debtors.
Pro se filers can submit documents by paper at the Boston clerk's office or by email to prose_filings@mab.uscourts.gov. Attorneys must use CM/ECF. Pro se filers are not required to, but may opt in. Before you file, you must complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider. Before you get a discharge, you must also complete a debtor education course. Both are available online. Keep your certificates. The court requires you to file them.
Massachusetts state law on bankruptcy is summarized at mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-bankruptcy. That page is a good starting point for understanding which state exemptions apply to Framingham filers and how they interact with federal law.
Laws That Apply to Framingham Cases
All Framingham bankruptcy cases are governed by federal law. Three statutes come up most often. The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 halts collection calls, lawsuits, foreclosures, and repossessions the moment you file. It is one of the most immediate benefits of filing and gives Framingham filers time to get organized.
Exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522 determine what property you keep. Massachusetts allows filers to choose between state and federal exemption lists, whichever is more favorable. The state homestead exemption, tools-of-trade exemption, and personal property exemptions are often better than the federal alternatives for Framingham residents. Non-dischargeable debts are defined in 11 U.S.C. § 523. This includes most student loans, recent tax debts, child support, and debts from fraud. Knowing what can and cannot be discharged helps set realistic expectations before you file.
Statewide filings rose 21.6% in 2024, reaching 4,704 total cases. Framingham contributes a share of those filings given its size and the economic pressures facing residents in the MetroWest region.
Nearby Cities and County
Framingham is in Middlesex County. For county-level information on bankruptcy records and the courts serving Middlesex, see the Middlesex County bankruptcy records page.
Other qualifying cities near Framingham with their own bankruptcy records pages include Boston, Newton, Waltham, Cambridge, Lowell, and Somerville. All of these cities are served by the Eastern Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.