How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost in Arizona? Complete 2026 Fee Guide

Filing for bankruptcy in Arizona involves several costs that vary depending on whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. This guide breaks down every expense—from court filing fees to attorney costs—so you can budget accordingly and explore options for reducing or waiving fees.

Quick Answer: Bankruptcy Costs in Arizona

| Cost Category | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |--------------|-----------|------------| | Court Filing Fee | $338 | $313 | | Attorney Fees (typical range) | $1,000 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $5,000 | | Credit Counseling Courses | $20 – $50 | $20 – $50 | | Credit Report Pull | $0 – $40 | $0 – $40 | | Total Estimated Cost | $1,400 – $3,000 | $3,400 – $5,500 |

Note: Chapter 13 attorney fees are often partially paid through the repayment plan.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Costs in Arizona

Court Filing Fee: $338

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona charges a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7 cases. This fee is the same nationwide and includes:

$245 case filing fee
$78 administrative fee
$15 trustee surcharge

Where to file:

Phoenix Division: 230 N 1st Ave, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Tucson Division: 38 S Scott Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Yuma Division: 315 W 19th St, Yuma, AZ 85364

Attorney Fees: $1,000 – $2,500

Most Arizona bankruptcy attorneys charge between $1,000 and $2,500 for a Chapter 7 case. Factors affecting cost include:

Case complexity (business assets, multiple properties, pending litigation)
Location (Phoenix/Tucson attorneys often charge more than rural areas)
Attorney experience (board-certified specialists charge premium rates)
Additional services (reaffirmation agreements, adversary proceedings)

What's typically included:

Initial consultation and case evaluation
Preparation and filing of petition and schedules
Representation at the 341 Meeting of Creditors
Basic creditor communications
Discharge monitoring

What may cost extra:

Reaffirmation agreements ($200 – $500 each)
Motion to avoid judicial liens ($300 – $600)
Adversary proceedings ($1,500+ per matter)
Amended schedules ($200 – $400)

Required Credit Counseling: $20 – $50

Before filing, you must complete a credit counseling course from an approved agency. After filing, you must complete a debtor education course before discharge.

Approved providers in Arizona:

Money Management International: $25-50 per course
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Arizona: $20-40 per course
InCharge Debt Solutions: $25-50 per course

Fee waivers available for income-qualified filers.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Costs in Arizona

Court Filing Fee: $313

Chapter 13 filing fees are slightly lower at $313:

$235 case filing fee
$78 administrative fee

Attorney Fees: $3,000 – $5,000

Chapter 13 attorney fees are higher due to the ongoing work required over 3-5 years. In Arizona, most attorneys charge:

Upfront retainer: $1,000 – $2,000
Remaining balance: Paid through the Chapter 13 repayment plan

Why Chapter 13 costs more:

Plan preparation and confirmation hearings
Annual trustee reporting requirements
Motion practice for plan modifications
Handling of tax refunds and bonus payments
Post-confirmation plan monitoring

Arizona Chapter 13 Attorney Fee Guidelines:

The Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona has established presumptively reasonable fee ranges:

| Case Type | Presumptive Fee | |-----------|-----------------| | Below-median income, no business | $3,500 – $4,500 | | Above-median income, complex | $4,500 – $6,000 | | Small business Chapter 13 | $5,000 – $7,500 |

Chapter 13 Trustee Fees: Up to 10%

The Chapter 13 trustee charges an administrative fee of up to 10% of all payments made through your repayment plan. This fee is built into your monthly payment and covers:

Disbursing payments to creditors
Monitoring case compliance
Handling plan modifications
Annual reporting to the court

Fee Waivers and Payment Options

Chapter 7 Fee Waiver (Form 103B)

You may qualify for a full waiver of the $338 filing fee if:

Your household income is below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
You cannot afford to pay the fee in installments

2026 Arizona Fee Waiver Income Limits (150% FPG):

| Household Size | Annual Income Limit | |----------------|---------------------| | 1 person | $22,590 | | 2 people | $30,660 | | 3 people | $38,730 | | 4 people | $46,800 | | Each additional | +$8,070 |

How to apply: File Form 103B (Application to Have Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) with your bankruptcy petition.

Chapter 7 Fee Installment Plan

If you don't qualify for a full waiver, you can pay the $338 filing fee in up to four installments within 120 days of filing. File Form 103A (Application for Individuals to Pay Filing Fee in Installments).

Pro Bono and Low-Cost Legal Services

Arizona organizations offering free or reduced-cost bankruptcy help:

| Organization | Services | Contact | |--------------|----------|---------| | Community Legal Services (Phoenix) | Pro bono representation | (602) 258-3434 | | Southern Arizona Legal Aid (Tucson) | Pro bono Chapter 7 | (520) 623-9465 | | Arizona Bar Foundation | Reduced-fee attorney referrals | (602) 340-7366 | | Arizona Legal Center | Free consultations | (602) 258-3434 |

"$0 Down" Bankruptcy Options

Some Arizona attorneys offer $0 down Chapter 7 filing programs where:

You pay nothing upfront to file
Attorney fees are financed over 3-12 months
Total cost is typically higher ($2,500 – $3,500 total)
May require steady employment

Caution: Read all financing agreements carefully. Some "$0 down" programs involve high interest rates or wage assignments.

Hidden Costs and Considerations

Asset Liquidation Costs (Chapter 7)

If you have non-exempt assets, the trustee may sell them to pay creditors. Costs include:

Appraisal fees: $150 – $500 per asset
Auction costs: 10-25% of sale price
Storage fees: If assets must be held during case

Reaffirmation Agreement Costs

If you want to keep a car or home with secured debt, you may need a reaffirmation agreement:

Attorney review and filing: $200 – $500
Court hearing (if required): $0 (but attorney time)

Tax Consequences

Canceled debt may be taxable income. However, bankruptcy discharge is excluded from income taxation under IRS Code Section 108(a)(1)(A). Consult a tax professional if you received 1099-C forms.

Post-Bankruptcy Credit Building

While not a bankruptcy cost, consider budgeting for:

Secured credit card: $200 – $500 deposit
Credit monitoring: $0 – $30/month
Authorized user tradelines: $0 – $200

Cost Comparison: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13

| Factor | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |--------|-----------|------------| | Upfront Cost | Higher ($1,400 – $3,000) | Lower ($1,300 – $2,300 upfront) | | Total Attorney Fees | $1,000 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $5,000 | | Payment Timeline | Paid before filing | Spread over 3-5 years | | Monthly Payments | None | $200 – $2,000+ for 36-60 months | | Best For | No income/ low income | Regular income, save home/car |

Red Flags: Avoid These Bankruptcy Scams

Warning Signs of Bankruptcy Mill or Scam:

Guaranteed discharge promises — No attorney can guarantee outcomes
Pressure to file immediately — Take time to compare options
No face-to-face meeting — Legitimate attorneys offer consultations
Suspiciously low fees — Quality representation has reasonable costs
Paralegal-only contact — Attorneys should handle strategy, not just sign off
Fee quotes without seeing your situation — Every case is different

Questions to Ask Before Hiring:

"What does your fee include specifically?"
"What would cause additional charges?"
"Do you offer payment plans?"
"Will you attend the 341 meeting with me?"
"How many Arizona bankruptcy cases have you handled?"
"What is your success rate for Chapter 13 plan confirmations?"

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Gather Documents Yourself

Reduce attorney time (and fees) by organizing:

6 months of pay stubs
2 years of tax returns
All creditor statements
Asset valuations (KBB for cars, Zillow for home)

2. Be Responsive

Delays caused by slow client responses often generate additional fees. Reply promptly to attorney requests.

3. Consider Timing

Some attorneys offer discounted rates during slow periods (typically summer months). Ask about current promotions.

4. Negotiate Payment Plans

Most Arizona bankruptcy attorneys offer interest-free payment plans. Don't be afraid to negotiate terms.

5. Get Multiple Quotes

Consult with 2-3 attorneys before deciding. Many offer free initial consultations.

Arizona-Specific Cost Considerations

Maricopa County (Phoenix Metro)

Higher attorney fees: $1,500 – $3,000 typical for Chapter 7
More competition: Shop around for best rates
Multiple filing locations: Phoenix, Mesa, and Surprise courts

Pima County (Tucson)

Moderate fees: $1,200 – $2,500 typical for Chapter 7
One court location: 38 S Scott Ave, Tucson
Strong legal aid presence: Community Legal Services active in area

Rural Arizona Counties

Lower attorney fees: $1,000 – $2,000 typical for Chapter 7
Limited local options: May need to travel to Phoenix/Tucson
Video 341 meetings: Often available to reduce travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file bankruptcy without an attorney to save money?

Yes, but not recommended. Pro se (self-filed) bankruptcy has a much lower success rate. In Arizona, only about 60% of pro se Chapter 7 filers receive discharge vs. 95%+ with attorney representation. Mistakes can cost far more than attorney fees.

Do I have to pay all attorney fees before filing Chapter 7?

Yes. Attorney fees for Chapter 7 must typically be paid before filing because any money owed to your attorney at filing becomes dischargeable debt.

Can Chapter 13 attorney fees be included in the payment plan?

Yes. Most Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the repayment plan, making the upfront cost much lower than Chapter 7.

Are there free bankruptcy filing options in Arizona?

Limited. Very low-income filers may qualify for pro bono representation through Community Legal Services or Southern Arizona Legal Aid. The court filing fee may also be waived.

Do all attorneys charge the same for bankruptcy?

No. Fees vary significantly based on experience, location, case complexity, and included services. Always get detailed quotes.

Can bankruptcy stop wage garnishment immediately?

Yes. The automatic stay goes into effect upon filing and stops most garnishments. The cost of not filing (continued garnishment) often exceeds bankruptcy costs within 2-3 months.

Summary: Budgeting for Arizona Bankruptcy

| Step | Timeline | Estimated Cost | |------|----------|----------------| | Initial Consultation | Week 1 | $0 (most attorneys) | | Credit Counseling | Before filing | $20 – $50 | | Attorney Retainer/Fees | Before filing (Ch 7) / Partial (Ch 13) | $1,000 – $5,000 | | Court Filing Fee | Filing day | $313 – $338 | | Debtor Education | After filing | $20 – $50 | | Total | 3-6 months | $1,400 – $5,500 |

Get a Personalized Cost Estimate

Every bankruptcy case is unique. To get an accurate cost estimate for your specific situation:

Schedule free consultations with 2-3 Arizona bankruptcy attorneys
Bring financial documents to the consultation
Ask detailed questions about what's included
Compare total costs, not just upfront fees
Consider value, not just price—experience matters

Ready to explore your options? Take our free bankruptcy quiz to see if bankruptcy is right for your situation and get connected with qualified Arizona bankruptcy attorneys.

Last updated: February 13, 2026. Court fees and income limits subject to change. Consult with an Arizona bankruptcy attorney for current information specific to your case.