Andrea practiced exclusively as a bankruptcy attorney in consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for more than 10 years before joining Upsolve, first as a contributing writer and editor and ultimately joining the team as Managing Editor. While in private practice, Andrea handled all bankruptcy matters from inception to case closure while also acting as managing attorney for her firm, Marco | Wimmer PLLC. Andrea has been a speaker at, among other events, ABI’s Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, Norton’s Bankruptcy Institute and the Arizona State Bar Convention. In 2017, she was selected as one of ABI's 40 under 40 honorees. She is a member of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judge’s NextGen Class of 2016, and she received the 2014 Member of the Year Award and a Special Appreciation Award from a local consumer attorney group, as well as a Distinguished Service Award from ABAIC. She has published in NACBA’s Consumer Bankruptcy Journal and the State Bar of Arizona Bankruptcy Section Journal, and currently serves as treasurer of the Arizona Consumer Bankruptcy Counsel. She has also been a volunteer attorney with the Arizona Bankruptcy Court’s Self-Help Center, which provides assistance to pro se debtors.
Articles written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Are Bankruptcies Public Record?
Written by Lawyer John Coble. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated February 19, 2026
Bankruptcy cases are part of the public record. That means court filings can be viewed by others, usually through the federal PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. Though records are public, certain personal details — like your SSN — are removed or shortened to protect your privacy. Most people don’t go searching through bankruptcy records. But creditors, lenders, landlords, and background check companies can access them if they choose to.
Read More →How Do I Find an Affordable Bankruptcy Attorney?
Written by Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated February 19, 2026
While you’re not required to hire a lawyer to file a bankruptcy case, you may want legal assistance. If so, there are several resources you can use to find an affordable bankruptcy attorney, including your state bar association’s website, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, or a local legal aid organization. Many bankruptcy lawyers also offer a free consultation for prospective clients. You can get free legal advice during the consultation and learn more about the lawyer’s fees and options for paying them.
Read More →Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: What’s the Difference?
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated February 17, 2026
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy are the two most common types of personal bankruptcy filings. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out unsecured debts like credit card debt and medical bills in just 3-4 months. Though the filing can stay on your credit report for 10 years. You must pass a means test and meet certain criteria to qualify for Chapter 7. Chapter 13 takes longer — usually 3-5 years — because filers are on a repayment plan. After the plan is up, any remaining unsecured debt is discharged. Chapter 7 can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years. Some filers choose Chapter 13 because they don’t qualify for Chapter 7 or because they own certain assets they want to protect. Even though there are differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, each one grants the filer a fresh financial start in the form of a bankruptcy discharge — a court order that relieves you of your debt and bans creditors from trying to collect from you on this debt.
Read More →What Is My Bankruptcy Discharge Date?
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated February 17, 2026
A bankruptcy discharge date marks the end of your bankruptcy case. It happens when a judge signs the order erasing your responsibility to repay certain debts, like credit card bills or medical expenses. This date is listed on the discharge order, which the court will mail to you. Chapter 7 cases usually take 3–6 months, while Chapter 13 cases require completing a 3–5-year repayment plan before you can receive your discharge. Completing required steps, like the debtor education course, ensures there are no delays.
Read More →How Does Bankruptcy Affect a Car Lease?
Written by Attorney Paige Hooper. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated February 17, 2026
Filing bankruptcy affects a car lease differently than a car loan. A car lease isn’t considered a debt you owe, but you still need to report it in your bankruptcy paperwork. If you’re filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can usually keep the lease if you’re current on payments, or you can give the car back and wipe out any remaining lease-related debt. In Chapter 13, you can typically keep the car and make payments as usual if you’re current, or you can fold past-due payments into your 3–5-year payment plan. Understanding how bankruptcy affects a car lease can help you decide whether to keep the car or walk away.
Read More →How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Oklahoma
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated February 11, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oklahoma can help you eliminate debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and you may be able to do it without a lawyer or court filing fee. This guide walks you through the full process, including collecting documents, taking required courses, filling out forms, and submitting them to the correct court based on your district. It also explains how to protect your property using Oklahoma’s exemption laws and what to expect after you file. If your case is straightforward, you may qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Oklahoma
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated February 11, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oklahoma can help you eliminate debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and you may be able to do it without a lawyer or court filing fee. This guide walks you through the full process, including collecting documents, taking required courses, filling out forms, and submitting them to the correct court based on your district. It also explains how to protect your property using Oklahoma’s exemption laws and what to expect after you file. If your case is straightforward, you may qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Maryland
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Attorney Paige Hooper. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 27, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Maryland can help you erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans, and many people do it without hiring a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step, including how to gather documents, take required courses, fill out forms, and file with the court. While Upsolve’s free filing tool isn’t available in Maryland, you’ll find detailed instructions and resources to help you file on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in North Carolina
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated January 27, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in North Carolina can give you a fresh financial start by wiping out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. This guide walks you through the process step by step — from gathering documents and taking required courses to filling out forms and going to court. You’ll learn how to file without a lawyer, save on legal fees, and understand what to expect at every stage. While Upsolve’s free filing tool isn’t available in North Carolina right now, this article gives you the tools and resources you need to navigate the process on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in North Carolina
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated January 27, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in North Carolina can give you a fresh financial start by wiping out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. This guide walks you through the process step by step — from gathering documents and taking required courses to filling out forms and going to court. You’ll learn how to file without a lawyer, save on legal fees, and understand what to expect at every stage. While Upsolve’s free filing tool isn’t available in North Carolina right now, this article gives you the tools and resources you need to navigate the process on your own.
