Best Bankruptcy Lawyers Surprise, AZ

Surprise, AZ Bankruptcy FAQs

• Where do I file for bankruptcy in Surprise, Arizona?

  The Surprise Police Department can be reached at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-4004 (TTY) for non-emergency concerns.

• Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Surprise, Arizona?

  You can visit the Surprise Police Department Records Unit to make a report copy request in person. The department is located at 14250 W Statler Plaza 103 Surprise, AZ 85374-7474. For inquiries on police report copies, call 623-222-4040 or email publicrecords.spd@surpriseaz.gov. You can also submit a public records request online at https://surpriseaz.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(bwo1s51gv34wvrpusi3tykhs))/supporthome.aspx

• Should you transfer ownership of your assets to your family members before filing for bankruptcy in Surprise, AZ?

  No, don’t make asset transfers before your bankruptcy filing. It can be interpreted as hiding your assets and is a form of bankruptcy fraud. The trustee would require the assets to be returned and liquidated, and use the sale proceeds to pay off your debts. If you're considering filing, consult a Surprise bankruptcy attorney to understand the steps to take and avoid in the process. Bankruptcy fraud may put you in jail and fined $250,000.

• Will other people find out that you filed for bankruptcy in Surprise, AZ?

  No. While bankruptcy is a public record, your bankruptcy information is not publicly published. People who want to know if you filed for bankruptcy will have to go to bankruptcy court and look through the filings. If for some reason your Surprise employer finds out, federal laws make it unlawful to use this information against you.

• Will you lose your house if you file for bankruptcy in Surprise, AZ?

  Most people who undergo bankruptcy are able to keep their homes thanks to the generous homestead exemption of Arizona. The exemption protects your home’s equity up to a certain value from being liquidated or foreclosed. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 33-1101, individuals can get a homestead exemption of up to $250,000. Bankruptcy petitioners in Surprise can also get an automobile exemption of up to $6,000.

• What if your financial circumstances change and you can no longer afford your Chapter 13 bankruptcy payments in Surprise, AZ?

  With the help of your Surprise bankruptcy attorney, you can request the court for a payment reduction. It is important to act immediately, as the court may dismiss your Chapter 13 case if you fail to keep up with your current payment plan. You can also request a conversion to Chapter 7 bankruptcy if the decrease in your income is significant.

• What is the residency requirement to be eligible to file for bankruptcy in Surprise, AZ?

  To be eligible to file for bankruptcy in Surprise, you have to have lived in Arizona for the most part of the preceding 180 days before your filing date. “Most part” means more than 91 days. However, if you want to be able to make use of the asset exemptions provided by Arizona for bankruptcy petitioners, you need to have 730 consecutive days of residency.