If you’ve filed bankruptcy, you may have heard of PACER — and if you’ve logged in, you may have immediately thought:
“What am I even looking at?”
You’re not alone.
PACER can feel intimidating, confusing, and overly technical. The good news? Once you understand what you’re seeing, it becomes much less overwhelming.
Let’s break it down.
What Is PACER?
PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records.
It’s the federal court system’s online database where you can view:
- Documents filed in your case
- Court notices
- Motions
- Orders
- Trustee filings
- Deadlines
Think of it as the court’s official timeline of your case.
Do You Have to Use PACER?
No.
As your attorney, we monitor your case and receive electronic notice of everything filed. You are not expected to constantly check PACER.
Some clients like having access for peace of mind — and that’s perfectly fine. Just don’t feel like you need to log in every day.
How to Log In
- Go to: pacer.uscourts.gov
- Click “Log in to PACER.”
- Enter your username and password.
- Search by case number (this is the easiest method).
- Make sure you’re in the correct U.S. Bankruptcy Court district (for Tennessee, select the appropriate district).
If you don’t know your case number, you can search by your name — but case number is always faster.
What Is the “Docket”?
Once you open your case, you’ll see something called the docket sheet.
The docket is simply a chronological list of everything filed in your case.
It may include entries like:
- Voluntary Petition
- Schedules
- Statement of Financial Affairs
- 341 Meeting Notice
- Trustee Report
- Motion for Relief from Stay
- Order Confirming Plan
- Discharge Order
Each line is numbered. If you click the document number, you can view that specific filing.
Why Does the Language Sound So Scary?
Court language is formal — and sometimes dramatic.
For example:
- “Notice of Deficiency”
- “Motion to Dismiss”
- “Order to Show Cause”
These often sound alarming but are sometimes routine procedural steps.
Before panicking, contact your attorney. Many entries are standard and expected.
Does PACER Cost Money?
Yes — but minimally.
PACER charges a small per-page fee to download documents. The charges are typically very small unless you’re downloading large files frequently.
If you just want updates, it’s often better to contact your attorney rather than repeatedly pulling documents.
What Should You Actually Be Watching For?
If you’re checking PACER, the most important entries to look for are:
- Your 341 Meeting notice
- Trustee filings
- Confirmation of your Chapter 13 plan (if applicable)
- Your Discharge Order
Your discharge order is the big one — that’s the document that officially eliminates qualifying debts.
A Word of Reassurance
PACER is a tool — not a test.
You are not expected to:
- Understand every filing
- Interpret legal language
- Monitor your case like a lawyer
That’s our job.
If you see something confusing, concerning, or unclear, reach out before worrying. Bankruptcy has a process, and many entries are just normal steps along the way.
Final Thought
Access to PACER can give you transparency and peace of mind.
But remember:
Just because something is filed doesn’t mean something is wrong.
If you ever have questions about your case, we’re here to guide you through it — in plain English.
