South Florida Bankruptcy Court Surviving Government Shutdown

Empty wallet. Photo: Champion studio/Shutterstock.com.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida is so far surviving the partial government shutdown that's plagued the nation since Congress failed to pass a spending bill Dec. 21.

The court's three locations in Miami, Broward and West Palm Beach will remain open as usual — at least until Jan. 31, when the court will send an update, Clerk of Court Joe Falzone said.

Unlike the Miami Office of the U.S. Trustee, which is temporarily closed, the judiciary can afford to plow on as it doesn't get all its funding from Congress. A handful of staff from the MIami trustee's office are still available for a limited number of tasks, including scheduling creditor meetings, overseeing the appointment of trustees and tackling emergencies.

If the judiciary does shut down, Falzone said the court's electronic filing system, PACER, would remain online.

 

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