Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Arizona Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
5 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Do attorney fees need to be paid in full before they file for bankruptcy in order to stop garnishments?

I am currently with a bankruptcy legal team and fees will not be completed till November. I have been summoned to pay garnishments. I spoke with attorney and they stayed fee needs to be paid in full in order to file Chapter 13 until then can not give cease / desist on my garnished paycheck. Just... View More

Stuart Nachbar
PREMIUM
Stuart Nachbar
answered on Sep 2, 2020

Some firms when dealing with a chapter 13 only, will allow fees through Chapter 13 Plan. This does not apply to Chapter 7. Ask them if you can put fees in Chapter 13 plan and if not, why.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Arizona on
Q: My drivers license is suspended in wa state due to an accident i am unable to pay the financial responsability.

I have moved to arizonia and need to get my drivers license however i am suspended in wa state because i am unable to pay the collections agency the 1000.00 a month i am on ssi i had prior arranements with the insurance company to pay 30.00 a month they told me it was 15,000 now they say its over... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Aug 28, 2020

File bankruptcy, get a discharge, and then you can get your license back.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: During covid19 pandemic I've spent my 2019 return instead of relinquish to trustee on my rent. What are possible outcome

filed bankruptcy in January 2020. I recieved a 2019 return in February. Needing to pay bills because of lost income we used our return to pay rent. We lost over 2k monthly because wife was furloughed and unable to obtain a income.

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on May 15, 2020

This is a very serious situation. The trustee has an obligation to collect the estate's percentage of any non-exempt property, which includes tax refunds. If you have an attorney - contact them immediately. If you do not have an attorney - make arrangements to pay the appropriate amount to... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Im in AZ, do I have to turn over my stimulus check to my trustee? My lawyer had his license suspended so I can’t ask him
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 13, 2020

Not likely. Most jurisdictions are not taking them.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: We filed for bankruptcy in 8/19, discharged 01/20. The trustee reopened it and took refund. Can they take stimulus?

We filed for bankruptcy in 08/19, got discharged in 01/20. The trustee reopened bankruptcy and took our 2019 refund. Now that the bankruptcy is reopened are they going to take the stimulus check too?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 8, 2020

Fought full they can take stimulus check as it is not income.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Are memos on checks legally binding in a bankruptcy case?

We are the creditor in the BK for owed assessment dues in an HOA...the debtor objected to our proof of claim so we amended. The debtor continues to object claiming we are not using checks written to the hoa because in the memo line they say something unrelated to dues.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 30, 2020

No. The j my Enid are not binding.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: chapt 7 stimulus checks

hello I am in the middle of a chapt 7 BK will my Trustee get our stimulus checks. My wife is not in my BK

Stuart Nachbar
PREMIUM
Stuart Nachbar
answered on Mar 29, 2020

I do not believe that the stimulus checks will go to the trustee. It is a post petition payment in your case and according to the stimulus bill, it is exempt from income on the means test.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: If I am planning to file a Ch 13 Bankruptcy, but have not yet, can I keep my tax return if I receive it BEFORE filling?

I plan on filing in the next couple weeks, but hoping I can use my return for this virus & not having good enough income, can I if I have not actually filed yet? It was an error in the questioned, it was supposed to say "filing", NOT "filling". Sorry.

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Mar 25, 2020

Don't file a chapter 13 unless you have a very experienced chapter 13 attorney (with more than 10 years of chapter 13 work). The failure rate with a good attorney is 40-50%. The failure rate with a bad attorney (one who does not care about their clients) is 95%. The failure rate for those... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: My refund was captured. How long until I get the money that the estate in not entitled to? Any laws on the timeframes?

Filed bankruptcy April 1 2019. Refund issued Feb 29, 2020 captured by trustee. He's not returning my calls, so I'm curious about how long it may , or usually takes to get the money that the estate isn't entitled to. Is there anything in the statutes that outline this process?

Thank you

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Mar 24, 2020

The trustee has an obligation to collect all non-exempt assets, which includes tax refunds for the year you filed a bankruptcy. But, only a potion of the refunds. The trustee is not going to return your call if you have an attorney. If you don't - contact the United States Trustee's... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Is term life insurance considered an asset in filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona?
Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Mar 20, 2020

It is listed on Schedules A/B and exempted (for the proper amount) on Schedule C. You are best working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. We offer a free consultation.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: We filed bankruptcy in 2009. It was discharged in 2009 and closed in 2012. Wells Fargo owed us money for putting forced

Insurance on our car, it got repoed, now trustee is saying she can keep our money to send to creditors, is this true?

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Mar 16, 2020

Depends on when the vehicle was repossessed and the law of the state where you live.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: I filed chapter 7 in April 2018, discharged in July. Irs kept most of refund for back taxes, but I owe trustee 1200.00

Can they keep all of my refund this year or just 1200.00 owed to trustee?

Trustee office said they'd ask trustee for a repayment plan in October 2019, but I've had no response and have sent them many emails asking. I'm expecting a big refund and wondering if they're keeping it all

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Feb 15, 2020

You need to contact your attorney because there are more issues you have not discussed. If you do not have an attorney, there is a Self-Help Center at the Bankruptcy Court. Call them to make an appointment to talk with an experienced bankruptcy attorney - 602-682-4007.

I hope this is helpful.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Ok I’m in az filled bank rupt last feb do I owe my tax return this year to. If I owe 2 months do I divide it by two

Since I filled last feb and send them a check. Also case was reopened in November to distribute last yrs tax return or should I be clear now since I paid the returns last yr

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Feb 6, 2020

If you have an attorney, please contact them because this is what you paid them for. So, I am going to assume you do not - the trustee collects tax refunds for the year you filed and any prior years that you have not collected. If you filed the bankruptcy in 2019, then the trustee can collect... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Rights, Domestic Violence and Small Claims for Arizona on
Q: My ex boyfriend sued me for gifs after I got an order of protection against him.

I was served while walking in to court for one of the orders of protection since he was appealing it. I didn’t respond because I was confused and I was waiting for a court date. Now I’m in default and they want to garnish my wages. I’m a single mom with only my income. I need help what can I do?

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Feb 1, 2020

Thank you very much for contacting my office. I realize this is a challenging time for you and that you have lots of questions. It is okay to be anxious and overwhelmed; the trick is not to fight it. Instead, you are on the right track by educating yourself about options to help deal with your... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for Arizona on
Q: Is a debtor 'allowed' to have both an awarded judgement AND still report the debt on my credit report?

I have a debt/collections I am trying to pay off but just found a judgement in county records against me for the same debt by the same company.

The judgment is not appearing on my credit report, only the collection itself. Is it legal to have both a judgement won and filed in a recorders... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 22, 2020

You should notify all three credit bureaus that they are the same debt. It should only be reported as the judgment.

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: Removing garnishment - Chapter 7

Someone owes me money and I won a default judgement and just filed for garnishment. I received notice that they are filling for Chapter 7. The email from the her lawyer said I had to contact her employer to remove the garnishment. Do I need to do this, or should they do this? Honestly, I... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 13, 2020

Yes. If they filed bankruptcy, you must release the garb immediately or run the risk of violating the automatic stay and being sanctioned for it

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: No I filed in feb 2019 I gave them 2018 tax refund
Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Jan 6, 2020

The bankruptcy estate has a right to a pro-rata share of your 2019 refunds.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: So my case was closed and now reopened I gave them 2018 tax return now its reopened will I have to give the 2019 also
Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Jan 6, 2020

Probably not if you filed your bankruptcy in 2018. But, it is best to talk to your bankruptcy attorney in order to make sure your interests are protected.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Arizona on
Q: My dad is a senior citizen who does not have any real assets and lives on his social security.

He has accumulated significant debt via credit cards and other loans via One Main Loan and Lending Club. He had a stroke this summer and has been off work and fell behind. This is how I became aware. He drowning trying to make payments. I just watched a webinar thru the National Senior Citizens... View More

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Dec 27, 2019

Thank you very much for contacting my office. I realize this is a challenging time for you and that you have lots of questions. It is okay to be anxious and overwhelmed; the trick is not to fight it. Instead, you are on the right track by educating yourself about options to help deal with your... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.