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
How To File Bankruptcy for Free: A 10-Step Guide
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 13, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a powerful debt relief tool. It helped almost 500,000 people get a fresh start last year (2024), and it's a lifeline for those who are drowning in debt and can't see a way out. Though bankruptcy requires a lot of paperwork and documentation, many people with simple cases file successfully on their own without a lawyer. We outline the 10 steps to file your case successfully.
Read More →California Debt Collection Laws
Written by the Upsolve Team. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 12, 2026
California has two important laws — the Rosenthal Act and the Debt Collection Licensing Act — that protect California residents against original creditor and third-party debt collector harassment and abuse. Californians also benefit from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which offers many protections and gives you certain rights. The statute of limitations for most consumer debt is four years in California.
Read More →How To Win a Debt a Lawsuit Against a Debt Collector
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 12, 2026
Most debt collection suits in the U.S. end in default judgments. That’s a judgment entered against the alleged debtor because they either didn’t file an answer to the complaint or didn’t show up in court. This is bad news, partly because many of those cases could have been won. If you’re sued by a creditor, debt collector, or debt buyer, the worst thing you can usually do is ignore the lawsuit. This article will provide guidance on how to deal with a debt collection lawsuit.
Read More →How To Write a Debt Settlement Letter (Step-by-Step Guide + Template)
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 12, 2026
It's usually most effective to negotiate a debt settlement over the phone with the debt collector. Once you negotiate a settlement, it's important to get the agreement in writing.
Read More →When Will a Debt Collector Sue for Unpaid Debt?
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 12, 2026
Though there's no standard timeline, you may be most at risk of a debt collection lawsuit after six months of not paying your debt. If you stop making timely payments on a debt, your creditor will first attempt to collect it by sending you notices of nonpayment. This may go on for several weeks before collection attempts intensify. Eventually, the creditor may charge off the debt to a third-party collection agency. If the debt collector can’t successfully collect the debt, you may be at risk of a lawsuit.
Read More →How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Colorado
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Kelly Pickering. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 13, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Colorado can help you wipe out debt and get a fresh start — and you may be able to do it for free without hiring a lawyer. This guide walks you through every step, from taking the required credit counseling course to filing your forms and attending your court hearing. You’ll learn how to gather documents, apply for a fee waiver, and protect your property using Colorado’s bankruptcy exemptions. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free tool to file on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Missouri
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Attorney Amelia Niemi. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 11, 2026
This guide explains how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free in Missouri without hiring a lawyer. It covers every step of the process, from gathering your financial documents and completing the required credit counseling course to preparing, filing, and submitting your forms with the court. You’ll also learn about Missouri-specific requirements, exemptions that protect your property, and options for handling the $338 filing fee. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to make the process easier.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Missouri
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Attorney Amelia Niemi. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 11, 2026
This guide explains how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free in Missouri without hiring a lawyer. It covers every step of the process, from gathering your financial documents and completing the required credit counseling course to preparing, filing, and submitting your forms with the court. You’ll also learn about Missouri-specific requirements, exemptions that protect your property, and options for handling the $338 filing fee. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to make the process easier.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arkansas
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 11, 2026
If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Arkansans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Arkansas.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arkansas
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 11, 2026
If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Arkansans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Arkansas.
