HOW TO FILE CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY IN ARIZONA

Before filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must first determine if you are eligible and have met the following requirements:

  • You must pass the Arizona Means Test
  • Also you may not file if you have received a Chapter 7 discharge in the last 8 years.

When you are ready to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy with your bankruptcy attorney, you will need to prepare all the required information about your current debt, property owned, and finances. We know that each case is unique and has different information to bring to the table, so we are prepared to help you gather all the information necessary to fully complete your Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing process.

You are never alone in this process! Our experienced debt relief attorneys at our Chandler Bankruptcy Law Firm will help you gather and prepare all the bankruptcy documents and meet the filing deadlines. We walk with you every step of the way to ensure the Chapter 7 bankruptcy is filed correctly and thoroughly in Chandler, Arizona.

Customer service matters to us.  You can expect our Chandler bankruptcy attorneys and staff to give clear communication from start to finish so that you always know what to expect next and what is expected of you. We want you to feel confident and comfortable with the experience, so our large staff of lawyers are easily reached by phone, email, or at our Chandler bankruptcy law office.

Chandler Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys FAQs

ANSWER:

From when your case is filed to when it is discharged should take approximately 4-6 months. About 30-45 days after filing your bankruptcy petition, you are required to attend a 341 Meeting of Creditors. If any of your creditors do not attend the meeting, they will have 60 days to submit an objection to your debt being discharged. Your case will be eligible for discharge once those 60 days are up, and the court should process your discharge shortly thereafter.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

The first step to filing bankruptcy is consulting with an attorney to make sure you qualify. Using the Means Test or through analyzing your income, the attorney will be able to determine if you are eligible to file a Chapter 7.

After determining that you qualify to file, you will need to prepare and submit all the necessary documentation to your attorney, including 2 years of tax returns, 6 months of paystubs, your driver’s license, social security card, bank statements, any recent divorce or child support documents, vehicle registrations, and any judgements currently against you. My AZ Lawyers are prepared to help you gather anything that is pertinent to your case, and can walk you through the client intake form and list of the value of your belongings. You are also required to complete an online credit counseling course.

Once you have submitted your documents, your attorney will draft your petition. You will have a meeting with your attorney to review and sign the petition, and then begin preparing for your 341 Meeting of Creditors. The attorney will then file the petition for you, and shortly afterward you will receive a letter from your trustee informing you of the court date. They will also request additional documentation from you at that time, which should be sent to your trustee as quickly as possible.

You will be accompanied by your attorney for the 341 Meeting of Creditors. They will help you answer questions from the trustee and any creditors that attend. After the Meeting, you will be required to complete a second online credit counseling course within 60 days. After all these steps are completed, your case is eligible for discharge.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

An Automatic Stay is a protection provided by bankruptcy. It freezes your assets so that creditors can’t garnish your wages or bank account, foreclose your home, or repossess your vehicle. The Automatic Stay lasts until your case is discharged or dismissed. If your case ends in a dismissal, all collection will resume. If your case is discharged, collection can only resume on non-dischargeable debts such as child support and student loans.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

You will need to pay for two credit counseling courses, which start at $15 each. Court filing fees are typically $335, but your legal representation fees will vary depending on the attorney. Attorneys cost more in some geographic areas. Those with more experience typically charge higher fees, and the complexity of your case will also have an impact on the cost.

When you are looking for a bankruptcy attorney, be sure that the initial consultation is FREE. If an attorney offers a $0 down payment plan, confirm that it is a true $0 down- some attorneys that advertise this actually require you to pay the $335 filing fee up front. Be sure that your post-filing payment plan is credit reported, as this will give you a jumpstart on rebuilding your credit after the bankruptcy case is discharged.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

You can expect a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to remain on your credit for 10 years; however, you will be eligible to apply for a home loan just 2 years after the case is filed. As soon as your case is discharged, you will receive offers for new lines of credit, and will be able to finance a vehicle the day after your Chapter 7 case is filed.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

Many states allow you to redeem your foreclosed home if you pay the full balance back to whomever purchased your home, along with any other necessary costs. Check with your attorney to learn what is required by your state.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

You will be eligible for an FHA loan two years after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

Bankruptcy is kept on public record, so if anyone searches through the filings they will see your name. However, nobody is actually notified when you file bankruptcy in Arizona, unless they are a cosigner on one of your debts.
Additionally, all your creditors are notified through a mailing matrix that is activated when your petition is filed. Your Chandler Bankruptcy Lawyeris in charge of preparing and sending the matrix. You can choose to keep your landlord off the matrix if you do not intend to break the lease through declaring bankruptcy. Additionally, your employer will only receive notice of your filling if you need to put a stop to a wage garnishment.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

ANSWER:

Only an experienced bankruptcy attorneyshould manage emergency bankruptcy filings. You will only be required to submit a few documents for the skeleton petition, including copies of your driver’s license and social security card. You can also use a passport in place of a driver’s license, and an original W-2 in place of a social security card. Your attorney will ask for the last 6 months of pay stubs for you and your spouse, and will have an information packet that needs to be completed before the emergency petition can be filed.
Consult with our Chandler Bankruptcy Law Firm to ensure you receive reliable guidance and thorough bankruptcy assistance in Gilbert and Chandler, Arizona.

free consultation with Chandler bankruptcy attorneyCONTACT A CHANDLER BANKRUPTCY LAWYER

(480) 833-8000

  $0 DOWN CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PAYMENT PLANS

When facing a financial situation that requires emergency bankruptcy filing, chances are high that you do not have the funds to retain an attorney. If you need to file emergently to end garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure, our Chandler Bankruptcy Lawyers can help, even if you do not have any money up-front to pay for filing a Chapter 7. How? If you qualify for our $0 down Chandler bankruptcy payment program, you pay no money down.  Any remaining fees are accounted for through an established monthly payment schedule. Take advantage of your FREE consult with our Chandler and Gilbert bankruptcy lawyers!Call our Arizona Ch 7 Attorneys today (480) 833-8000.

How to Know If Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is Right For You

  • Chapter 7 erases most, if not all, debt.
  • You can start fresh with a clean financial slate.
  • When you are facing wage garnishment.
  • If you are facing harassment over the phone from creditors.
  • When you are dealing with harassment from people attempting to collect debt.
  • A Chapter 7 may help save your home from foreclosure.
  • You may be able to keep exempt property by filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
  • Filing a Chapter 7 typically puts a stop to vehicle repossession.
  • bankruptcy stops utility service shut-off
  • You can use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to get rid of credit card debt.
  • A Chapter 7 filing erases medical debt. 
  • Regain control over your finances and find debt relief.
  • End the stress and sleepless nights brought on by debt.
  • Get yourself a “Fresh Start”.  File chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 bankruptcy infographic