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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy · Mesa, AZ
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
in Arizona, explained.
The fresh-start chapter: what goes away, what you keep, what it costs, and how fast it moves.
What Chapter 7 actually does
Most unsecured debt, gone by court order.
Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt, usually within three to four months of filing. Even two debts people assume are permanent can go: older income taxes sometimes do, and student loans now have a real path of their own.
The collection freeze starts the day the case is filed, and the discharge at the end makes it stick.
United States Bankruptcy Court
District of Arizona
Order — Discharge of Debtor
Effective on entry of discharge. Debts listed are permanently discharged.
Discharged
Will I lose my stuff?
Almost never.
Arizona protects up to $437,600 of home equity and at least $16,500 of vehicle equity. That covers most people with room to spare, and the full list, every category and condition, lives here: What you can keep →
Where people do lose something, it’s usually this: the person who reviews your case is called a trustee, and trustees get paid a percentage of what they collect. That’s not a scandal, it’s how the system works — but it means someone with an incentive is looking at what you own.
The classic catch is the tax refund: refunds aren’t protected here, and local trustees have made a decent living off refunds people didn’t know were exposed. Filing a month earlier or later can be the whole difference, which is why timing is part of my plan, not an afterthought.
If this is the one that’s been keeping you up, you can just ask me: (480) 500-7888
Do I qualify?
There's an income test. Most people who feel like they need Chapter 7 pass it.
It’s called the means test, and it compares your household income to the Arizona median.
Under the line
Chapter 7 is likely open to you.
Over the line
Not a no. The full test subtracts allowed costs, and plenty of people pass on that second step. A free call sorts it in minutes. And if 7 truly isn’t the fit, Chapter 13 usually picks up where it leaves off.
Some people skip the test entirely: if more than half your debt is business debt or taxes, it doesn’t apply at all.
The Line
Arizona median income, by household size
For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026 · I keep this table current.
Some income doesn’t count at all — Social Security, for one.
What the process looks like
Filed to discharged, usually in three to four months.
Your part
We build the paperwork together
One short meeting
The whole arc
Day one
Filed.
I file it, and the collection freeze starts that day.
About a month in
The trustee meeting.
A short sit-down under oath. I’m there with you, no judge is in the room, and it’s usually over in minutes.
Month three or four
Discharged.
The waiting period runs, and the debt is legally gone.
Step one is a free conversation.
What it costs
One flat fee. No hourly meter, no surprise invoices, no games.
In Writing
Your fee quote
Fee
Flat
Each case is different. You’ll have your exact number after the first conversation, before anything gets filed.
Affordable payment plans available.
What it covers
What clients say
Real words from real people.
From public reviews, exactly as written.
“Medical bills and a lost job.”
The decision to file for bankruptcy, for my wife and I, was a very a difficult one to make. Our ever increasing medical bills and job loss, compounded our inability to keep up with our mounting debt. When we contacted Mark Atchley ESQ to get much needed advice and direction, we felt a genuine concern for our predicament.
Joseph D.
“No pressure. Then a fresh start.”
From my initial consultation in June, Mark clearly explained the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process and the steps I would need to take, all without pressuring me to make a decision. He was upfront about fees, answered all my questions, and provided guidance that allowed me to make the best decision for my situation. […] When I received my discharge in November, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, knowing I could finally start fresh and focus on rebuilding my finances.
W. G.
“Discharged with no issues.”
If you are considering bankruptcy this is the lawyer for you. He’s kind, informative, and extremely knowledgeable. My bankruptcy was incredibly easy and was discharged with no issues.
Jenn T.
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Let's get you the clean slate.
First conversation’s free, and you’ll leave knowing exactly where you stand.