Filing a petition for bankruptcy starts a process of debt relief that includes protection from creditors known as the automatic stay. This can help you stop garnishments, repossessions, and more, and get control of your financial situation as a whole. But it’s difficult to complete all of the tasks around a bankruptcy filing accurately, especially if filing at the last minute as an emergency effort to stop a collection action. Review this checklist when you want to make sure you have completed all of the steps necessary to file for bankruptcy in Arizona. To go over these items with an experienced Arizona bankruptcy professional, call 602-609-7000 to schedule your free consultation with our firm today.
Have You Gathered All of Your Paystubs to Accurately Calculate Your Income?
One of the most important steps of preparing for bankruptcy is accurately determining your income level. This is done using the last six months’ income from all the wage earners in your household. Include all sources, like side jobs and investments, to make sure you paint a full portrait of your financial situation. Even small errors could result in an inaccurate income calculation, which often ends with a case dismissal. This gives your creditors a temporary or permanent opportunity to proceed with collection while the defenses of the automatic stay are lowered. So make sure you gather all of your pay stubs, profit and loss statements, or whatever you use to track income, so you can ensure your eligibility for your chosen chapter of bankruptcy. Income must be low enough to qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy, and high enough to pay off certain debts to qualify for chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Do You Have Two Forms of Identification Ready?
At our office, we recommend checking that you have your forms of identification ready before filing a petition for either chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy. There are multiple reasons for this. One is that the name you list in your bankruptcy petition should match what’s on your SSN form of ID. This is usually a Social Security card, but you can use an original W-2 in its place if you don’t have yours readily available. The other form of ID must be a government-issued photo form of identification. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you can use a passport or a state identification card. Now is the time to request these items if you have lost either of them. They will be necessary at your 341 Meeting of Creditors. This is a hearing that is mandatory for both chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy debtors, and is held about 30 to 45 days after a petition for bankruptcy is filed. The trustee will need to see your forms of identification to make sure that you are actually the person you claim to be in your bankruptcy petition.
Can You Pay Your Filing Fee?
As of 2026, the filing fee for a chapter 13 bankruptcy is $313, and the filing fee for a chapter 7 bankruptcy is $338. This is not an inconsiderable expense for someone who has hit a breaking point with their debt. The court may sometimes waive a debtor’s filing fee, but this is uncommon, because most debtors faced difficult circumstances leading up to their petition filings. The court is more likely to grant an installment plan for the filing fee, but keep in mind that failure to keep up with payments is a top reason that bankruptcy cases get dismissed. You should start setting aside funds for your filing fee now if you believe this could be an issue for you.
Have You Taken Your First Online Bankruptcy Course?
Whether you file for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy in Arizona, you will be required to complete two online bankruptcy courses if you wish to obtain a debt discharge. These are to ensure that you have learned what you need to know to improve your financial situation after bankruptcy. You must complete the first course before filing your bankruptcy petition so you can include the course completion certificate. That certificate is valid for up to 180 days before filing, so if you plan on filing your case in the next 6 months, you can take this course now to remove an item from your to-do list later down the road.
Have You Reviewed Your Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Card Spending?
Most of us have at least some credit card debt that revolves from month to month. But that credit card balance getting out of control could be a factor that contributed to your decision about bankruptcy. Even if it isn’t, clearing every last cent of it is one of the ways you will derive the most potential benefit out of your bankruptcy filing. The question here is if you exceeded non-essential spending limits on your credit cards before filing your bankruptcy petition. Cash needs to be declared and protected by a bankruptcy exemption, so a spate of cash advances before the petition filing could draw concern from the bankruptcy trustee. Don’t advance more than $1,250 on a single credit card within 70 days of filing for bankruptcy. Additionally, don’t exceed $900 in luxury purchases within 90 days of filing for bankruptcy. You can discuss what qualifies as a luxury purchase with your bankruptcy lawyer, but common examples include dining out, vacations, designer goods, etc.
Do You Understand What You’re Getting Into?
Bankruptcy has massive benefits, but there are also serious credit implications and limitations a debtor will face after having their debts discharged. You need to be prepared for bankruptcy-related tasks in the upcoming weeks, such as corresponding with the bankruptcy trustee and attending your 341 Meeting of Creditors. This is not a good time to be traveling or otherwise away from your phone and computer. Attending all of your bankruptcy hearings needs to be your top priority until your case has officially been discharged. You should also be aware of how declaring bankruptcy might affect your credit in the present, and how you can take control of that in the future. Bankruptcy debtors are disqualified from home mortgages for a certain number of years, based on the chapter filed and the type of loan being sought. A bankruptcy attorney can review your situation to let you know what types of issues could be relevant during and after your case.
Did You Consult with an Experienced Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer About Your Options?
So many bankruptcy debtors file their petitions without consulting with an attorney simply because they believe they cannot afford to. But this can be extremely risky, not just for your bankruptcy case, but for the entirety of your financial situation. We eliminate that risk by offering a free initial consultation by phone, so we can evaluate your bankruptcy options and determine your best course of action. If bankruptcy is a fit for your needs, we will provide you with a competitive quote for legal services, and you may qualify for our Zero Down payment option. Schedule your free consultation by phone with Arizona Zero Down Bankruptcy Lawyers today by calling 602-609-7000.
Arizona Offices
Phoenix Location:
343 W Roosevelt Street, Suite #100
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 602-609-7000
Mesa Location:
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85202
Email: [email protected]
Glendale Location:
20325 N 51st Avenue, Suite #134
Glendale, AZ 85308
Email: [email protected]
Tucson Location:
2 East Congress, Suite #900
Tucson, AZ 85701
Email: [email protected]
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