Arizona is a single-district state -- every bankruptcy case in the state goes through the D. Ariz. Here is everything Phoenix-area filers need to know about mandatory courses, court locations, Arizona's $250,000 homestead exemption, and community property rules.
Federal law (11 U.S.C. sections 109(h) and 111) mandates two educational courses for every individual debtor. Arizona adds no state-level requirements beyond the federal mandate.
Complete within 180 days before filing. A DOJ-approved agency evaluates your finances and explores alternatives. Takes 60--90 minutes. Can be done online, by phone, or in person at agencies throughout Maricopa County.
File the certificate as Official Form 301 with your petition at the Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse.
Complete after filing but before discharge. Covers budgeting, money management, and using credit responsibly. About 2 hours. The provider must be specifically approved for the District of Arizona.
File the certificate as Official Form 423. The D. Ariz. clerk tracks this requirement -- no certificate, no discharge.
Arizona has a single federal judicial district covering the entire state. The D. Ariz. bankruptcy court has three locations.
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse
230 N. First Avenue, Suite 101
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 682-4000
Serves Maricopa, Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, Apache, Gila, and several other counties. The vast majority of Arizona bankruptcy cases are filed here. 341 meetings are held at the U.S. Trustee's office, 230 N. First Avenue, Suite 204, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
James A. Walsh U.S. Courthouse
38 S. Scott Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 202-7500
Serves Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties.
325 W. 19th Street, Suite B
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 783-2288
Serves Yuma and La Paz counties.
Arizona requires debtors to use state exemptions (A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 8). Federal exemptions are not available. Arizona is a community property state, which affects how married couples' debts and assets are treated.
A.R.S. section 33-1101 protects up to $250,000 of equity in your primary residence. This applies automatically -- no homestead declaration is required, though filing one with the county recorder provides notice to creditors. The exemption covers single-family homes, condominiums, mobile homes, and apartments. Arizona's homestead exemption was increased to $250,000 from $150,000 in 2014.
| Property | Arizona Exemption | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead | $250,000 | A.R.S. 33-1101 |
| Motor vehicle | $6,000 | A.R.S. 33-1125(8) |
| Household goods & furniture | $6,000 total | A.R.S. 33-1123 |
| Wearing apparel | $500 | A.R.S. 33-1125(1) |
| Musical instruments | $400 | A.R.S. 33-1125(2) |
| Pets, horses, livestock | $800 | A.R.S. 33-1125(3) |
| Tools of trade | $5,000 | A.R.S. 33-1130 |
| Bank deposit (single account) | $300 | A.R.S. 33-1126(A)(8) |
| Retirement (ERISA-qualified) | Unlimited | A.R.S. 33-1126(B) |
| Social Security | Unlimited | 42 U.S.C. 407 |
| Health aids | Unlimited | A.R.S. 33-1125(6) |
| Life insurance cash value | $25,000 | A.R.S. 33-1126(A)(4) |
| Alimony/Child support | Unlimited | A.R.S. 33-1126(A)(3) |
Arizona is one of nine community property states. Property acquired during marriage is presumed to be community property, owned equally by both spouses. In bankruptcy, community property can be used to pay community debts -- even if only one spouse files. This creates unique planning considerations. If one spouse has significant separate debts, filing individually may protect community property. Consult an attorney before deciding whether one or both spouses should file.
Under 11 U.S.C. section 522(b)(3), you must have been domiciled in Arizona for at least 730 days before filing to use Arizona exemptions. Phoenix newcomers from other states may need to use their prior state's exemptions. This is especially important for recent arrivals from states with lower homestead exemptions.
Chapter 7 eligibility requires passing the means test. Arizona median income figures are set by the U.S. Trustee and vary by household size. If your income exceeds the Arizona median for your household size, you face a presumption of abuse in Chapter 7 and may need to file Chapter 13.
Outside of bankruptcy, Arizona limits wage garnishment to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly earnings exceed 30 times federal minimum wage, whichever is less (A.R.S. section 33-1131). Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. section 362, which stops all garnishment immediately.
(602) 258-3434
Arizona's largest legal aid organization. Provides free bankruptcy assistance to qualifying low-income Maricopa County residents. Offices in Phoenix, Mesa, and other Valley locations. Intake hours: Monday--Friday 8:30 AM -- 4:30 PM. 305 S. 2nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
(520) 623-9465
Serves Tucson and southern Arizona counties. Free legal help for low-income residents including bankruptcy and debt defense.
(928) 871-4151
Serves the Navajo Nation and rural Arizona/Utah/New Mexico. Handles bankruptcy cases for qualifying Native American residents and low-income individuals in underserved areas.
(602) 254-4714
Matches qualifying Phoenix-area residents with pro bono attorneys. Handles consumer bankruptcy and debt defense cases. Application required through the Maricopa County Bar Association.
Arizona State University law students under faculty supervision handle bankruptcy cases for qualifying individuals. Located at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus near the federal courthouse.
James E. Rogers College of Law, 1201 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721. Law students assist qualifying Tucson-area residents with consumer bankruptcy filings under faculty supervision.
Two courses: (1) pre-filing credit counseling within 180 days before filing, and (2) post-filing financial management before discharge. Both from DOJ-approved agencies for the D. Ariz. Courses cost $10--$50 each. Arizona has no additional state requirements beyond the federal mandate.
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse, 230 N. First Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: (602) 682-4000. Arizona is a single-district state with additional divisions in Tucson and Yuma.
Arizona protects up to $250,000 of equity in your primary residence under A.R.S. 33-1101. The exemption applies automatically to houses, condos, and mobile homes. No homestead declaration is required, though filing one provides additional notice to creditors.
Arizona is a community property state. Property acquired during marriage is presumed community property and can be used to pay community debts even if only one spouse files. This creates strategic decisions about individual vs. joint filing. Consult an attorney to evaluate how community property rules affect your specific situation.
Community Legal Services at (602) 258-3434 is the largest provider in Maricopa County. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at (602) 254-4714 matches qualifying residents with pro bono attorneys. ASU's law school also operates a bankruptcy clinic downtown near the federal courthouse.
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