Tempe Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Are you looking for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer in Tempe?

At Wright Law Offices, we are Tempe Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter we handle.

If your mortgage is past due, creditors are calling, and bills keep stacking, Chapter 13 bankruptcy gives you a way to reorganize without losing what you have built. It is a court-approved repayment plan that stretches across three to five years and protects your property while you pay down debt on terms you can sustain. Our Tempe, AZ Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer has helped more than 1,000 clients across Arizona with bankruptcy filings. We offer free consultations at our Tempe office to help you decide whether Chapter 13 fits your situation.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer Tempe, AZ

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows individuals with steady income to propose a repayment plan that pays back all or part of their debts over three to five years. Once the court confirms it, creditors are bound by the plan’s terms. Maricopa County saw more than 6,300 bankruptcy filings in 2023, according to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona, and Chapter 13 accounted for a substantial portion.

What separates Chapter 13 from other forms of debt relief is control. You keep your home, your car, and your savings while repaying creditors on a schedule the court approves.

Types of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases We Handle in Tempe

Chapter 13 applies across a range of financial situations, and the repayment plan is built around whatever specific combination of debts and assets you bring to the table. These are the scenarios we handle most often for Tempe clients.

• Foreclosure. This is the most common reason Tempe residents file Chapter 13. If you have fallen behind on your mortgage, the plan lets you fold past-due payments into a structured schedule while you continue making regular monthly payments going forward. The automatic stay halts the foreclosure process the day you file.
• Credit card debt. Credit card balances are unsecured, and under a Chapter 13 plan, they are often repaid at a fraction of the total amount owed. The remaining balance is discharged when the plan concludes. All of your unsecured debts are consolidated into one monthly payment to the trustee.
• Tax debt. Priority tax debts must be repaid in full under Chapter 13, but the plan spreads those payments across three to five years without additional penalties or interest accruing during the plan period. For people who owe the IRS or Arizona a significant amount, that structure makes the balance manageable.
• Vehicle loan cramdown. If your car loan is at least 910 days old, Chapter 13 may allow the court to reduce what you owe to the vehicle’s current market value rather than the full loan balance. This can lower both your monthly payment and the total you repay.
• Wage garnishment relief. When a creditor has obtained a judgment and your wages are being garnished, Chapter 13 stops the garnishment immediately through the automatic stay. The debt that triggered the garnishment gets folded into your repayment plan at a rate based on your disposable income.
• Co-signer protection. Chapter 13 includes a co-debtor stay that prevents creditors from pursuing anyone who co-signed a consumer debt with you. That protection lasts for the duration of the plan and does not exist under Chapter 7.
• Second mortgage lien stripping. When your home is worth less than the balance on your first mortgage, a Chapter 13 plan can reclassify a second mortgage or home equity line as unsecured debt. The junior lien is treated like a credit card balance, paid at a percentage through the plan, and discharged at the end.
• Protecting assets above exemption limits. If you own property or assets that exceed Arizona’s exemption limits, Chapter 7 would expose those assets to liquidation. Chapter 13 lets you keep everything and repay creditors an amount equal to the nonexempt value through the plan instead.

Why Choose Wright Law Offices as My Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Tempe, AZ?

Representing Tempe Residents in Bankruptcy Court

Wright Law Offices maintains an office in Tempe and has served East Valley residents for over a decade. Benjamin Wright earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, is licensed in Arizona and Wisconsin, and is admitted to the U.S. District Court of Arizona. Chapter 13 cases require more than paperwork. The repayment plan has to satisfy the court, withstand the trustee’s review, and remain feasible over three to five years. That takes an attorney who knows how local trustees evaluate plans and what confirmation demands. It is what you should expect from a bankruptcy lawyer in Tempe, AZ.

Free Consultations and a Decade of Chapter 13 Results

We have filed over 1,000 bankruptcy cases across Arizona, and our reputation reflects the consistency of that work. Chapter 13 plans fail when the numbers do not hold up. Ours are built to last the full term. The initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to move forward.

Understanding Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 and What Qualifies

Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt quickly, but you may have to give up nonexempt property. Chapter 13 keeps your assets intact and pays creditors over time. The right chapter depends on your income, what you own, and what debts you need to address.

Chapter 13 does not use a means test in the same way Chapter 7 does. Instead, you need a regular source of income and enough of it to fund a plan that repays priority creditors in full and treats unsecured creditors fairly. Federal debt limits also apply. If your situation changes during the plan, a modification may be possible.

• Chapter 13 repays debts over three to five years, with remaining qualifying balances discharged at the end
• Chapter 7 eliminates unsecured debts within three to four months but may involve asset liquidation
• Regular income is the core eligibility requirement for Chapter 13
• Debt ceilings set by federal law cap the total secured and unsecured debt a Chapter 13 filer can carry
• The discharge under Chapter 13 covers certain debts that Chapter 7 cannot eliminate

What Are Important Aspects of a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case?

A Chapter 13 case runs for years, and multiple moving parts need to function together from the start. The plan is the foundation, but these elements shape whether it succeeds.

• The automatic stay goes into effect on the filing date, stopping foreclosures, garnishments, repossessions, lawsuits, and creditor contact
• Plan feasibility is the central question at the confirmation hearing. The monthly payment must be realistic based on your income and necessary expenses
• The Chapter 13 trustee collects your payments and distributes them to creditors according to the plan’s terms. The trustee also monitors compliance throughout the case
• Falling behind on payments does not automatically end a case. A plan adjustment can account for changes in income or unexpected expenses, though it requires court approval
• Priority debts like child support, alimony, and certain taxes must be repaid in full through the plan

What Is the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case Timeline?

Chapter 13 takes longer than Chapter 7 because the repayment plan itself spans years. Here is how the timeline typically unfolds for a Tempe, AZ case.

• Pre-filing credit counseling must be completed through an approved agency before the petition can be filed.
• Filing the petition activates the automatic stay and initiates the case. The proposed repayment plan is submitted at the same time or within 14 days.
• Payments to the trustee begin within 30 days of filing, before the plan is formally confirmed.
• The 341 meeting of creditors is held approximately 20 to 50 days after filing, allowing the trustee and creditors to raise questions.
• Confirmation hearing follows the 341 meeting by roughly 45 days, and the court approves or modifies the plan at that stage.
• Three to five years of payments follow, with the trustee distributing funds to creditors monthly.
• Discharge is entered after all payments are completed and a post-filing financial management course is finished.

What Should You Bring to Your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Consultation?

Chapter 13 plans depend on accurate numbers. The more financial detail you bring, the better.

• Pay stubs or income records from the past six months
• Tax returns from the prior two years
• A full list of debts, including mortgage balances, car loans, tax obligations, and unsecured accounts
• Monthly expense breakdown covering housing, transportation, insurance, utilities, and food
• Records of any active lawsuits, judgments, or garnishments

You do not need a complete financial picture to schedule your first call. We can start with what you have and build from there.

District of Arizona Bankruptcy Court and Tempe Resources

Tempe residents file Chapter 13 cases with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona at the Sandra Day O’Connor United States Courthouse in Phoenix. The assigned Chapter 13 trustee oversees the distribution of plan payments for the duration of the case.

The Federal Trade Commission maintains resources on consumer rights under federal debt collection laws. If tax debt is part of your financial picture, the IRS offers payment plans and hardship programs that may complement a Chapter 13 filing. The Arizona Bankruptcy Court FAQ addresses common questions about filing requirements and local procedures.

Reach Out to Wright Law Offices to Schedule a Consultation

If Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Tempe is something you are considering, Wright Law Offices can review your finances and explain what a repayment plan would look like in your case. Our Tempe office makes it convenient to meet in person, and the initial consultation is free. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Tempe, AZ.