There are any number of contributing factors to explain why you are on the verge of filing for AZ bankruptcy protection. If you are, you are not alone. In 2021, 5,640 people filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona, and 931 people filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Arizona.  

We understand that you might be hesitant because you don’t know how a bankruptcy might impact your life. Other reasons may be that you don’t know if you need legal help, or who to contact to start the process. To help speed up your search and find answers, our Arizona bankruptcy and debt relief team invites you to review top 10 reasons to hire Lerner and Rowe Law Group for your bankruptcy.   

Why Hire Us to Handle Your Arizona Bankruptcy

With over two decades of experience, we do believe that we have a few reasons to brag about why you should hire, or just contact, Lerner and Rowe Law Group for help with an Arizona bankruptcy. Here are our top 10 reasons: 

1. Voted “Best Bankruptcy Law Firm” for seven years running in AZ Foothills Magazine independent reader polls.

2. Since 2012, Lerner and Rowe Law Group has provided high-quality legal representation to thousands across Arizona that seek financial relief through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection or debt settlement.

3. Lerner and Rowe Law Group offers payment plans for attorney fees, including in certain circumstances paying attorney fees after your case is filed. 

4. If you’re behind on payments or barely paying the interest on your debts, in danger of losing your home or car, or being harassed by collectors, Lerner and Rowe Law Group can help.

5. Our Arizona bankruptcy team knows how to file a bankruptcy petition to stay wage garnishments and collection actions on your behalf. 

6. Lerner and Rowe Law Group’s bankruptcy lawyers in Arizona do not pressure debtors into any agreement. In fact, if you’d prefer to look into other debt relief options, instead of bankruptcy, we will go over those with you as well.

7. Each Lerner and Rowe Law Group bankruptcy attorney dedicates 100% of their time and attention on helping clients resolve their financial challenges that may include life after a divorce, past-due medical bills, and certain tax debt.  

8. Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys are experienced at going after the lowest possible repayment plans so that you can get control of your finances faster and back on your feet sooner.

9. We provide counseling so that once you get control of your debt, you can start rebuilding your credit and get closer to reaching your future financial goals.

10. We have offices conveniently located in Phoenix and Tucson and can also provide remote support if needed.

Are you ready to take the next step towards debt relief? Lerner and Rowe Law Group offers free, no obligation consultations to give you the chance to learn more about how we can help. Just contact us 24/7 to get the process started by phone, LiveChat, or a convenient online form. 

The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.

Are you wondering how to file bankruptcy in Tucson, Arizona? The process can be complicated. After all, you want to make sure that you file correctly and see the maximum amount of debt discharged. Without experienced legal help on your side, you might lose out on important considerations. 

Thankfully, the Tucson debt relief attorneys at Lerner and Rowe Law Group understand the ins and outs of filing for personal bankruptcy in Arizona. They will help you through all of the following steps, with a free debt evaluation.

Here are a few examples of why someone may want to declare bankruptcy:

• You have harassing collector calls coming in
• Your car will be repossessed
• Your water or heat is shut off
• You can’t  afford to make minimum payments on your credit cards
• You’re behind on you mortgage or facing foreclosure on your home

To set up your free case evaluation and consultation, call 602-667-7777. Or, you can connect immediately through our LiveChat feature. Finally, you have the option to fill out this FREE online form.

How Do Tucson Bankruptcy Attorneys Help? 

Our Tucson bankruptcy services include listening to your situation during your consultation and advising you on what to do next. Most notably, we will help determine which kind of bankruptcy–Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 –is right for you.

What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows a discharge of debts for individuals. This Order of Discharge usually comes in a short period of time after all requirements are met. Sometimes, your discharge may come within only three to four months of filing your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. In Chapter 7, your unprotected assets may be liquidated to pay your debts while you will be able to keep your protected assets.

Related Topic: How Declaring Chapter 7 Can Provide Debt Relief

What Is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, individuals retain their assets and property while repaying creditors over a 36-60 month court approved plan. The amount paid to creditors depends on a number of factors that may include:

• The type of creditor being paid (secured, priority unsecured or general unsecured)
• The amount of your disposable monthly income
• The number of months of your plan

Related Topic: Arizona Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer

How to File Bankruptcy in Tucson, Arizona

The first step to filing for bankruptcy in Tucson is to determine what type of bankruptcy is right for you. You can do this by consulting with an attorney who will get a better idea of your current financial circumstances and let you know your options. Are you a candidate for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or will you be better served by a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

In Arizona, you can only declare bankruptcy if you meet certain requirements. For instance, have you lived in Arizona for the majority of 180 days or is your property located in Arizona; do you qualify to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on your income and monthly expenses; even if you qualify to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, will Chapter 7 bankruptcy give you the relief you are looking for? To be sure, call Lerner and Rowe for your free consultation. 

The steps you will take with Lerner and Rowe include:

1. Determine if bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or 13) is the right choice for you
2. Gather the legal and financial documents required to file bankruptcy
3. Attend a financial interview with your legal team
4. Complete an approved credit counseling course
5. Review and sign your bankruptcy documents with your experienced Arizona licensed consumer bankruptcy attorney 
6. Your bankruptcy team will file your bankruptcy case
7. Complete an approved debtor education course
8. If filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, you will begin to make plan payments
9. Attend a Meeting of Creditors with an experienced attorney
10. If filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, attend a hearing with your attorney if redeeming an asset or reaffirming a debt 
11. Have your dischargeable debts discharged 

What Are the Costs to File Bankruptcy in Tucson?

Whether you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, most bankruptcy debtors must pay a court mandated filing fee. The filing fee is based on the type of bankruptcy filed, and changes periodically. You will also pay a fee to your attorney if represented. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, your attorney fee is paid prior to your case being filed in most circumstances, however, in some cases, your attorney fee may be paid after filing. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, you will pay some of your attorney fee prior to filing your case and the remaining balance will be included in your plan payment. 

In addition, our affordable bankruptcy attorneys in Tucson, Arizona will provide a free debt evaluation at the time of your consultation. So in the end, you have very little to lose and so much to gain by seeking bankruptcy assistance today.

Related Topic: $0 Down Bankruptcy

How to Find the Top Bankruptcy Attorneys In Tucson

Residents of Tucson can call 602-667-7777 to set up their free case consultation and debt evaluation. Or, you can fill out a FREE online form or text through LiveChat. We are available 24/7 to take your call, even on weekends. 

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.

Most people don’t anticipate the need to or want to file for bankruptcy protection, and therefore, don’t plan to file for bankruptcy protection. Most people also don’t understand the many protections offered to them by bankruptcy laws. Whatever circumstances have led to your current financial condition, it may be in your best interest to take time to explore how filing an Arizona bankruptcy may offer you financial protection. 

If you believe that bankruptcy may be an option for you, then it is vitally important to meet with an experienced Arizona bankruptcy attorney. An attorney can help you understand how best to plan for your bankruptcy and protect your property, as well as what to avoid so that you don’t jeopardize those plans.   

5 Actions to Avoid Before Filing an Arizona Bankruptcy

Some important things to understand and avoid doing before filing for bankruptcy protection include, but are not limited to the following:

1. If you own your home, don’t move out. You must, with limited exceptions, live in your home at the time you file for bankruptcy protection to claim a homestead exemption. Even if you intend to surrender your home to your mortgage lender, you may be able to stay in your home even if you are not making mortgage payments for a number of months (or more). 

Also, until the title to your home is no longer in your name, you may be responsible for things that happen on your property.

2. Don’t use your retirement savings as a lifeline. Draining your retirement savings can go wrong in so many ways. First, your retirement savings in a qualified plan is likely protected from your creditors; however, when you pull the money out of the account it may lose its protection from creditors. 

Moreover, you may also have to pay a penalty tax on the funds you withdraw from your retirement account. This penalty may lead to an increased tax liability that may require you to pay significant taxes. 

Finally, consider whether the withdrawal is a short term fix or a permanent fix. If you are not able to pay your regular monthly expenses after you take money out of your retirement account, this is a short term fix and is likely a poor decision.

3. Don’t repay friends or family. While you may feel morally obligated to repay those close to you, these payments may be considered preferences and subject to recovery in bankruptcy from those paid. This means that the Bankruptcy Trustee may contact those individuals and require them to turn over the money you paid them.

4. Don’t transfer property. A transfer can be a sale or a gift. If you transfer property for less than the fair market value of the property, the property can be recovered from the receiver and sold to pay your creditors. 

So you can sell your <insert asset> to <insert name of transferee> if you receive the fair value of the asset; be prepared to testify how you obtained the value of the asset, to show evidence of receipt of payment, and how you marketed the asset. 

If you give your family member or friend an asset as a gift, this is a transfer for less than fair value and the property can be recovered by the Bankruptcy Trustee from your friend or family member to pay your creditors.

5. Don’t incur new debt. If you use a credit card or take out a loan before filing bankruptcy, and if you knew you couldn’t afford to repay the debt, you may not receive a discharge of the debt.

The above list is not exhaustive and there are exceptions to every rule, however, the above list is a good baseline of considerations prior to filing for bankruptcy protection. 

Remember, if you file bankruptcy without an attorney, you will be considered to know the law. Most consumer bankruptcy attorneys in Arizona offer free initial consultations, so meeting with an attorney before filing bankruptcy is always in your best interest.

Related topic: Can I File Bankruptcy Without an Attorney?

How to File for Bankruptcy Protection in Arizona 

If you are considering filing an Arizona bankruptcy, you may wonder exactly how to do it. You can count on our bankruptcy and debt relief team to steer you in the right direction and be there to help navigate you through the entire process. 

Just dial 602-667-7777, fill out a FREE online form, or text with us through our convenient LiveChat feature to schedule a free consultation today. 

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.