How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arizona Without a Lawyer

Collect Your Arizona Bankruptcy Documents

To get started, you’ll need to gather some important documents. Having these ready will help you stay organized and make it easier to complete your forms. This applies whether you’re filing on your own, using Upsolve’s free tool, or working with a lawyer.

📄 Here are the documents you’ll need:

• Federal tax returns from the last two years

• Pay stubs or other proof of income from the last 60 days

• A bank statement that covers the day you file your case

You’ll also want to collect a few other documents that can help you fill out your forms. These documents help you list your income, debts, and assets accurately:

• Bank statements from the past 6–12 months

• Bills or statements from your creditors

• Letters from collection agencies or debt collectors

• A current copy of your credit report

You can get a free credit report from all three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you use Upsolve, the tool will pull your credit report automatically to help fill out your forms.

Take the Required Credit Counseling Course

Before you can file your bankruptcy case, you’ll need to take a credit counseling course. This is a required step for everyone who files, and it must be completed within six months (180 days) before submitting your forms to the court.

The course is designed to help you understand your financial situation and explore all your options, not just bankruptcy. You’ll learn about budgeting, managing debt, and alternatives to filing Chapter 7. Even if you’re sure that Chapter 7 is the right path for you, the course is still required.

Here’s what to expect from the course:

• It usually takes about 1 hour.

• Most people take it online or by phone, from home.

• You’ll get a certificate of completion when you finish.

• You’ll include that certificate when you file your case with the bankruptcy court.

⚠️ If you don’t file the certificate, the court may dismiss your case. That means you’d have to start the process all over again.

Other helpful info:

• The cost is usually $10–$50, but fee waivers are often available.

• You must use a provider approved by the court.

• In-person courses are only offered in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

• Many providers offer the course in Spanish.

After you finish the credit counseling course and get your certificate, you’re ready to move on to the next big step: completing your bankruptcy forms.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Filing for Chapter 7 means filling out a set of forms that explain your income, expenses, debts, and property. These are federal forms, so they’re the same in every state. You can download them for free atuscourts.gov.

Some bankruptcy courts, including Arizona, also require a few local forms. You’ll find more details on those in the district section below.

If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll answer a step-by-step questionnaire, and we’ll fill out the forms for you, including Arizona-specific ones.

If you’re working with a lawyer, they’ll complete and submit the forms for you.

Get Your Filing Fee

After you’ve finished your forms, it’s time to take care of the filing fee. 

💰 Chapter 7 has a $338 filing fee. 

Most people pay with a money order or cashier’s check made out to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.” The court doesn’t accept credit cards or personal checks.

If you can’t afford the full fee, you have two options:

• Apply for a fee waiver: You may qualify to have the filing fee waived if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. 

• If you’re using Upsolve’s tool, we’ll help fill out the waiver form for you. You’ll still need to submit it to the court.

• Apply to pay in installments: You can ask to pay in smaller chunks. You’ll need to include a down payment (usually $80) when you file, and pay the rest over time. This is a great way to get the protection of bankruptcy even if you can’t pay the full fee right away.

Once you file, something called the automatic stay goes into effect. This puts most collection actions on hold, including wage garnishments, lawsuits, and car repossessions. 

🗓️ If you choose an installment plan, stay on top of the payments. Falling behind could lead to your case being dismissed.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

If you’re filing your case without a lawyer, you’ll need to print your bankruptcy forms and bring them to the Arizona Bankruptcy Court in person. 

Here are a few tips for printing the forms:

• Use black ink on white, letter-size (8.5" x 11") paper.

• Print single-sided only. The court won’t accept double-sided pages.

• Don’t staple or hole punch the forms.

• Double-check that you’ve printed every section.

• Make sure to sign every page that requires a signature.

It’s a good idea to print two full copies: one to file, and one to keep for your records. If you don’t have a printer at home, check with your local library or a store that offers printing services

✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need. It includes all the required forms and marks each spot where your signature is needed, so nothing gets missed.

🤝 If you hire a lawyer, you won’t need to worry about printing. Your attorney will file everything electronically for you.

With your forms completed and your filing fee plan in place, you’re all set to file your bankruptcy case.

File Your Forms With the Arizona Bankruptcy Court

If you're filing your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case without a lawyer, you can submit your forms:

📍In person at the court office in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma

👤 By mail to the court that serves your county

💻 Online via the court’s Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) tool

💡 One benefit of filing in person is that the clerk can take a quick look to make sure nothing important is missing or unsigned. This can provide some peace of mind knowing everything is in order. 

If you choose this option, visit the clerk’s office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mornings and mid-afternoons are typically less busy. 

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After you file your bankruptcy case, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to review your paperwork and handle your case. You’ll receive your trustee’s name and contact info in an official notice from the court shortly after you file. 

✉️ Within about 7–10 days, you’ll get a letter from your trustee with instructions. This letter often includes a short questionnaire and a list of documents they need from you.

Trustees often ask for the following documents:

• A copy of your two most recent federal tax returns

• A bank statement that includes your filing date

Your trustee might also request other items, like several months of bank statements, car titles, or a divorce decree if you’ve been divorced. If they ask for more, it’s best to respond quickly to keep your case moving along.

⏳ These documents must be sent at least seven days before your 341 meeting (explained below). Be sure to black out any sensitive details, like Social Security numbers or minor children’s names, before sending your tax documents.

Once you’ve sent your trustee the required documents, the next step is to take the second bankruptcy course.

Take the Second Required Course (Debtor Education/Financial Managment)

Before the court can erase your debts, you’ll need to complete another class called the debtor education course (also called the financial management course). 

This course teaches basic money skills, like budgeting, saving, and using credit, and aims to help you build a stronger financial future.

Just like the first class, you’ll need to take this course from an approved provider. If you liked the company you used for your credit counseling course, check if they offer this one too. Some even offer a discount if you take both.

Here’s what to know:

• The course must be completed within 60 days of your 341 meeting.

• The cost is $10–$50, but fee waivers are often available.

• The course must be taken through a court-approved provider.

• You’ll need to file your certificate of completion with the court.

Once you’ve finished the course, the next big step is attending your 341 meeting.

Attend Your 341 Meeting With the Trustee

About a month after you file your bankruptcy forms, you’ll attend a short meeting called the 341 meeting, also known as the meeting of creditors. 

That name can sound intimidating, but it’s usually quick and low-stress. You won’t need to speak to a judge or defend yourself in court. Instead, you’ll talk with the bankruptcy trustee assigned to your case and confirm that the information in your paperwork is accurate. 

In Arizona, all 341 meetings now take place by Zoom video conference. You’ll get a notice from the court with the date, time, and Zoom link after you file. 

During the meeting, you’ll need to show: 

• A government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license or passport

• A document that shows your full Social Security number, such as your Social Security card or a W-2. 

⚠️ If you don’t have these, your meeting may be delayed or rescheduled.

The meeting usually lasts about 10 minutes. The trustee will place you under oath and ask simple questions about your finances. Most of the time, these are yes-or-no questions about things you already listed in your forms. Speak clearly and wait for the trustee to finish each question before answering.

Creditors are allowed to attend and ask questions, but that rarely happens. For most people, the meeting is just with the trustee. Many filers leave their 341 meeting feeling relieved and surprised by how easy it was.

✅ Check out this article and video to get a better idea of what to expect at your 341 meeting.

Deal With Your Car (if applicable)

Many people worry they’ll lose their car when they file bankruptcy. The good news is that many filers in Arizona are able to keep their vehicles. 

Your options for keeping your car will vary depending on:

• Whether you own the car outright or you’re paying on a loan (or lease)

• How much the car is worth based on current market value

• Arizona’s motor vehicle exemption

💡 Exemptions are legal protections that let you keep certain property during bankruptcy. They’re explained more later in this guide. For now, it’s important to know that Arizona allows individuals filers to protect:

• Up to $15,000 of equity in one vehicle

• Up to $25,000 if you or a dependent has a disability

🚗 You can usually keep your car if:

• You own the car outright and its current market value is less than the motor vehicle exemption you’re claiming in Schedule C

  • You can find your car’s fair market value on websites like kbb.com or edmunds.com 

• You have a loan on the car and your equity in the car is less than the motor vehicle exemption you’re claiming in Schedule C.

  • Equity = your car’s current market value minus what you have left to pay on the loan.

Here are a few other important things to know:

✍️ If you have a car loan and want to keep the car, you must stay current on your payments. You’ll also usually need to sign a reaffirmation agreement, which means you agree to keep paying the loan after bankruptcy. 

If you can’t afford the monthly payments or your loan is larger than what the car is worth, it may make more sense to surrender the car and walk away from the debt. 

Another option, though less common, is redeeming the car. This means paying the current value of the car in one lump sum, which can be helpful if you owe much more than it’s worth.

If you lease your car instead of owning it, you also have options. You can learn more in our guide to car leases in bankruptcy.