Filing Without an Attorney (Pro Se) Informational Pamphlets

The pamphlets on this page provide the reader with basic information about the complicated bankruptcy process under current bankruptcy law. However, these pamphlets are not intended to give you legal advice and are not a substitute for legal advice specific to your situation. Neither the Bankruptcy Court nor the Clerk's office can give you legal advice. Appropriate legal representation or advice should be obtained from a qualified attorney. Qualified attorneys can be found through public sources such as phone directories or public libraries. The State Bar of Arizona also provides a lawyer referral service either by phone by calling: 602-252-4804 or 1-866-48-AZBAR (toll-free outside Maricopa County) or through their website at: www.azbar.org (select the "Find a Lawyer" link).

• Instructions for Completing the Bankruptcy Petition, Schedules and Statements
• Choosing Your Chapter: What can Bankruptcy do for you? What will it do to you?
• Arizona Exemptions (refer to Title 33, Chapter 8)

If I file for bankruptcy, will it stop an eviction?

The Clerk's Office is prohibited by federal statute from providing legal advice. If you have any questions on how a bankruptcy filing affects enforcement of an eviction proceeding, please contact your local county sheriff's department or your legal advisor.

What are the consequences of filing for bankruptcy?

Depending on a debtor's financial situation and reasons for filing, the consequences of filing for bankruptcy protection may outweigh the benefits. Those considering bankruptcy should be aware of the following:

• Filing for bankruptcy protection is not free.
• Not all debts are dischargeable. Example: Secured creditors retain some rights which may permit them to seize property, even after a discharge is granted. Spousal and child support obligations and most tax debts are not dischargeable.
• Within 14 days of the filing of a bankruptcy petition, schedules of the debtor's assets and liabilities must be filed. Failure to timely file the appropriate schedules will result in dismissal of the bankruptcy.
• If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may not be entitled to a discharge. Eligibility depends on the chapter you filed before and the chapter you are filing now; see 11 U.S.C. §§ 727(a) and 1328(f) for the rules that apply to your situation.
• Fraudulent information or acts by the debtor are grounds for denial of a discharge and may be punishable as a criminal offense.

Chapter 7 Primary Requirements    Chapter 13 Primary Requirements