How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arizona
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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 Arizonans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Arizona.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated September 8, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Arizona
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Arizona involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee — and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify. Start here →
If your income is below Arizona’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov. We'll cover the local forms you'll need in the Local Forms/Requirements for Arizona section below.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
How filing works with Upsolve →
📍The Arizona Bankruptcy Court has two main filing offices:
Phoenix office U.S. Bankruptcy Court 230 N. 1st Ave., Ste. 101 Phoenix, AZ 85003
Tucson office U.S. Bankruptcy Court 38 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701
👉 Each case is handled by the court office for your county, but you can file your forms and pay fees at either office.
You can submit your Chapter 7 forms by mail, in person, or online using the court’s free Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
💰 You can pay your filing fee in person or via mail using a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. You can also pay online using a debit card, PayPal, or bank account.
❌ The court doesn’t accept cash, credit cards, or personal checks.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Local Forms/Requirements for Arizona
No matter where you live in Arizona, you'll need to follow certain court requirements when you file.
One of the most important is preparing and submitting your master mailing list, which is a list of everyone you owe money to, along with their mailing addresses. The court uses this list to send official notices and track claims in your case, and there are specific formatting requirements your list needs to follow.
Arizona also requires a couple of local forms that aren't part of the federal packet. You'll need to sign a Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Debtors Without an Attorney form and a Declaration of Evidence of Payments form, which covers proof of your recent income.
The court offers a complete Chapter 7 packet with instructions that bundles the forms you'll need.
After you file, you can apply for access to the court's Electronic Drop Box (EDB) to submit additional documents online instead of mailing them.
Free Legal Aid in Arizona
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Arizona.
The Arizona Bankruptcy Court also has a Self-Help Center with resources and guides, but legal aid organizations can offer more personalized help.
Community Legal Services, Inc. (602) 258-3434 305 South 2nd Avenue P.O. Box 21538 Phoenix, AZ 85036-1538
DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc. (928) 871-4151 Route 12, Highway 264 P.O. Box 306 Window Rock, AZ 86515-0306
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. (520) 623-9465 2343 East Broadway, Suite 200 Tucson, AZ 85719
