Cost of Pacer? Do I need it?

[bakergrl]

Sorry, I have a few questions.....

Does pacer always tell you how much your search cost each time? I went on a page and it says the cost was $.08, so that is the actual charge?

Also after the 341 is there a way to look up if there has been any new objections by creditors?

Where will it say discharged/closed?

Thanks!!

[justbroke]

The reason the "PACER" system has all those disclaimers, is because it is ACTUALLY the Court's Docket Management System known as CM/ECF (Case Management / Electronic Case File). Many people, such as attorneys, have actual docket access and can docket papers and even schedule hearings through PACER (CM/ECF).

I think that's the confusion. Most people don't understand that PACER and CM/ECF are the same system.

[browneyes]

Pacer usage

I know we know about PACER, but it is public record, right? Anyone can look up anyone else's info to snoop or investigate?

When I logged in I found it said it was for "court business only" and that all activity was logged.
At the bottom of the page it reads "Welcome to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of XXXX Electronic Document Filing System. This service is for attorneys and firms participating in the electronic filing system." It kind of scared me. I wanted to try to find other cases to see if I could find someone in a similar situation as me and how everything sugared off with their case. I wouldn't think one district is off limits and yet another is for the public's use.

[maxwell18]

Pacer Info

What is Pacer and how do get into. I tried to open it up and cannot. Can you see other chap 13 in process or finished?
Thanks

[keepinitreal]

If an account does not accrue $10 worth of usage between January 1st and December 31st each year, all balances will be deleted from PACER's records. Since there are only a couple of weeks left in December, you could start using PACER now and end up not being charged for 2009.

[FreshStart01]

Pacer doesn't have to cost you anything if you use it wisely. My Ch7 Discharged and Closed on 11/12/09,throughout the process I checked on pacer a couple of times a week and as of 11/12 my total charges were $8.72 so I won't even be billed since it's under $10.00. The trick is Log In, do a Query if the last posted date hasn't changed you don't need to go any further because there's nothing new so just log out.When there is something new you can read it then save it as a document on your PC,then if you want to go back to it, It won't cost you .08 a page a second time.

[AngelinaCat]

I have not heard of Pacer before. My BK was discharged in Jan 09' but I have a few questions about the filings. Can I find my documents on Pacer even though I am discharged?

Yes, all of your documents are there and as public record will stay there. Here is the link to the 'sticky' explaining what PACER is and how to set up an account.

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=1011

[mickeyme]

I have not heard of Pacer before. My BK was discharged in Jan 09' but I have a few questions about the filings. Can I find my documents on Pacer even though I am discharged?

[leena]

I wouldn't rely on my attorney for prompt reporting to me of events.... I get noticed when the creditors do. I wonder if anyone has the same feelings of cynicism as I do at this point. Everybody wants your money, they'll say and do anything to get it and then they're done with "your best interest". Everybody. From attorneys and doctors to your kids. I look at pacer for the bk issues... I wish I had pacer for a lot of other issues!

But, how is seeing them "sooner" on Pacer really helping? I mean, your attorney will let you know if the trustee has issues, or the trustee will even let you know directly... I say use Pacer if you like, but for me, yes it would just be OCD inducing!

[gowiththeflo]

I wouldn't rely on my attorney for prompt reporting to me of events.... I get noticed when the creditors do. I wonder if anyone has the same feelings of cynicism as I do at this point. Everybody wants your money, they'll say and do anything to get it and then they're done with "your best interest". Everybody. From attorneys and doctors to your kids. I look at pacer for the bk issues... I wish I had pacer for a lot of other issues!

[leena]

I for one am not spending any time or money on Pacer. I want to leave that 341, and if all goes well, except for not making any significant financial changes until discharge I am going to say that for my purposes it is over.

I figure my attorney will tell me about any problems. Why would I want to be home by myself and read a problem on Pacer and not be able to reach my attorney? I have spent forever on this already, and I am not spending one more moment on the BK then I must.

[justcurious]

Ah, that too. I can grok being inquisitive but that's just nuts.

[justbroke]

Or else she had a very complex bankruptcy with a zillion documents.

A PACER addiction doesn't cause you to run up a large bill by looking at your own case. The way to run up a bill that large, it to run "large" queries (where you're billed per page, no max), and "snooping" around looking at different cases.

[justcurious]

That's certainly extreme! One can download a pdf copy of the viewable pages as soon as they're available so there is no reason to log on to view them at the site repeatedly, if that's what she did.

Or else she had a very complex bankruptcy with a zillion documents.

Either way...wow.

[MiSSMaGoo]

Some folks have posted on here they racked up several hundred dollars unknowingly on Pacer so it could in the long run be cheaper to drive occasionally and view it free than pay for it. One person had to add over $700 of Pacer charges to her filing. Your attorney can also for free send you printouts upon your request from the Trustee (as we obtained) as to the status of your case. If you file a Chapter 13 your trustee sends you quarterly print outs anyway as to what is going on with your case, what goes in and what is paid out and balances. Pacer is a non-necessity for most filers and creates all sorts of anxiety amongst some users when certain things are posted/appear that are not in layman's terms.

OMG that's crazy... that had to be someone who was having super anxiety over their bk to view that many pages!