Tempe Bankruptcy Lawyer

Are you looking for a bankruptcy lawyer in Tempe?

At Wright Law Offices, we offer a bankruptcy practice built on 10 years of client representation.

If minimum payments are no longer making a meaningful dent in your debt, bankruptcy may offer a path forward. It is a federal legal process designed to give individuals and families relief from debts they cannot realistically repay, with legal protections that begin the day you file. At Wright Law Offices, our Tempe, AZ bankruptcy lawyer has guided over 1,000 Arizona residents through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings over the past decade. We maintain an office in Tempe and offer free consultations to review your finances and identify which path makes sense for your circumstances.

Bankruptcy Lawyer Tempe, AZ

Bankruptcy is a legal tool, not a last resort. It stops creditor harassment, prevents wage garnishment, halts foreclosure, and gives individuals and families a structured way to address debts that have become unmanageable. Maricopa County recorded more than 6,300 bankruptcy filings in 2023, according to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona, and Tempe residents accounted for a meaningful share of those filings.

The two most common options for individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts within a few months. Chapter 13 lets you keep your property and repay creditors over a three-to-five-year plan. An attorney can evaluate your income, assets, and debts and tell you which chapter gives you the strongest position. Arizona’s exemption laws protect essential property in both types of filings.

Types of Bankruptcy Cases We Handle in Tempe

Every case starts with a different financial picture, and the right approach depends on the types of debt involved and what you need to protect. These are the bankruptcy-related matters we handle most frequently for Tempe clients.

• Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you have regular income and need to catch up on a mortgage, protect a vehicle, or repay tax debt over time, Chapter 13 structures those payments into a court-supervised plan. You keep your property throughout.
• Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, within three to four months. Most Arizona filers keep everything they own because state exemptions protect essential assets. Qualifying requires passing a federal means test that compares your income to Arizona’s median.
• Credit card debt. When balances grow beyond what monthly payments can manage, bankruptcy offers a way to eliminate them under Chapter 7 or pay a fraction under Chapter 13. Arizona’s statute of limitations on credit card debt runs six years under A.R.S. § 12-548, but bankruptcy typically resolves the debt faster.
• Foreclosure. A bankruptcy filing triggers the automatic stay, which halts foreclosure proceedings the same day. Chapter 13 allows you to cure mortgage arrears through the repayment plan while keeping your home. Chapter 7 can eliminate deficiency balances after a sale.
• Tax debt. Certain federal income tax debts are dischargeable under Chapter 7 if they meet specific age and filing requirements. Chapter 13 allows you to repay priority tax obligations over three to five years without additional penalties accruing. An attorney can determine which debts qualify for which treatment.
• Medical debt. Hospital bills, surgical costs, and ongoing treatment expenses are unsecured debts, and they are fully dischargeable in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. A single medical event can generate tens of thousands in debt that insurance does not cover.
• Wage garnishment. Once a creditor obtains a judgment, wage garnishment starts taking money from your paycheck. Filing for bankruptcy activates the automatic stay, stopping the garnishment immediately. The underlying debt can then be addressed through either chapter.
• Debt settlement. For individuals who do not qualify for bankruptcy or prefer to avoid it, debt settlement negotiates a reduced payoff with creditors. It works best when the debts are manageable enough to settle for a lump sum or short-term payments but too large to pay in full.

Why Choose Wright Law Offices as My Bankruptcy Lawyer in Tempe, AZ?

A Decade of Bankruptcy Practice From Our Tempe Office

Benjamin Wright has practiced bankruptcy law in Arizona for more than 10 years. He earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and is licensed in both Arizona and Wisconsin. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court of Arizona, which is where bankruptcy cases in this jurisdiction are filed and administered. Our Tempe office puts us in the East Valley, and Benjamin handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for Tempe residents and families throughout Maricopa County.

Over 1,000 Cases Filed Across Arizona

Wright Law Offices has helped more than 1,000 clients file for bankruptcy protection. That number represents a wide range of financial situations, from straightforward Chapter 7 discharges to complex Chapter 13 plans involving mortgages, vehicles, tax debts, and multiple creditors. Our reputation reflects years of consistent work in this area, and clients meet directly with an attorney at every stage.

Understanding Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 and What Qualifies

The bankruptcy process starts with determining which chapter fits your situation. Chapter 7 is designed for individuals whose income falls below Arizona’s median for their family size. It eliminates most unsecured debts quickly, though certain assets above the state’s exemption limits may be subject to liquidation. Chapter 13 is built for people with regular income who need time to catch up on secured debts or who own nonexempt property they want to keep.

• Chapter 7 discharges unsecured debts within approximately three to four months
• Chapter 13 spreads repayment over three to five years, with remaining qualifying balances discharged at the end
• The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility by comparing household income against Arizona’s median
• Exemptions protect your homestead, vehicle, personal property, and retirement accounts
• Eligibility gaps apply. Eight years must pass between Chapter 7 discharges, and two years between a Chapter 13 discharge and a new Chapter 7 filing

What Are Important Aspects of a Bankruptcy Case?

Whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, certain elements affect every case. These are the ones worth understanding before you meet with an attorney.

• The automatic stay takes effect on the filing date and stops all creditor collection activity, including calls, lawsuits, garnishments, foreclosure, and repossession
• Exemption planning determines which of your assets Arizona law protects from liquidation under Chapter 7, or how much you must repay unsecured creditors under Chapter 13
• The 341 meeting is a required hearing where the trustee and creditors can ask questions about your finances. It typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes
• Non-dischargeable debts survive bankruptcy in most cases. These include student loans, recent tax obligations, child support, and alimony
• Credit impact is real but temporary. Most clients see meaningful credit recovery within one to two years of their discharge

What Is the Bankruptcy Case Timeline?

The timeline depends on which chapter you file. Chapter 7 cases move quickly. Chapter 13 cases take years by design.

• Pre-filing credit counseling is required through an approved agency before the petition is filed
• Filing the petition initiates the case and activates the automatic stay. In Chapter 13, the proposed repayment plan is submitted at the same time or within 14 days
• The 341 meeting of creditors is held 20 to 50 days after filing
• Chapter 7 discharge is typically entered 60 to 90 days after the 341 meeting
• Chapter 13 confirmation occurs roughly 45 days after the 341 meeting, and three to five years of plan payments follow before discharge
• Post-filing financial course must be completed before any discharge is entered

What Should You Bring to Your Bankruptcy Consultation?

Having documentation ready lets your attorney assess your options more precisely during the initial meeting.

• Pay stubs or income verification from the past six months
• Federal tax returns for the prior two years
• A list of all debts, with creditor names, balances, and account numbers
• Bank and financial account statements covering the last two to three months
• Records of pending lawsuits or judgments

Even if some documents are missing, scheduling the consultation is still the right first step. We can help you gather what you need.

District of Arizona Bankruptcy Court and Tempe Resources

Tempe residents file bankruptcy with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona, located at the Sandra Day O’Connor United States Courthouse in Phoenix.

The Federal Trade Commission publishes guidance on consumer rights under federal debt collection laws. The IRS offers payment plans and hardship programs that may work alongside or instead of filing for bankruptcy. The Arizona Bankruptcy Court also maintains a public FAQ covering means testing, filing requirements, and local court procedures.

Reach Out to Wright Law Offices to Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering bankruptcy, Wright Law Offices can help you decide whether it makes sense. The consultation is free, and you will leave with a clear understanding of your options. We are available at our Tempe office or by phone. Contact us to schedule a time to speak with a bankruptcy attorney in Tempe, AZ.