Tempe Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records for Tempe residents are kept at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix. This federal court handles all bankruptcy cases for Maricopa County, which includes Tempe. The Phoenix courthouse sits about 10 miles from downtown Tempe, making it one of the most accessible court locations in the metro area. You can search Tempe bankruptcy filings online through PACER or visit the court in person. The court maintains records for Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases. With a population of 191,314, Tempe sees hundreds of bankruptcy filings each year. Arizona State University students, local business owners, and residents all use this same federal court when they need debt relief or want to look up case records.

Tempe Bankruptcy Court Location

Tempe does not have its own bankruptcy court. All Tempe bankruptcy cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix. The court is at 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. From Tempe, you can reach the courthouse in about 15 to 20 minutes by car. Take the I-10 west and exit at 7th Avenue. Street parking is limited, but paid lots are nearby.

The Phoenix bankruptcy court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can call 602-682-4000 with questions. The toll-free number is 800-556-9230. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find Tempe bankruptcy records or explain how to file a case. Free public terminals let you search without paying PACER fees.

Tempe residents who need to attend hearings will go to the Phoenix courthouse. Most hearings happen in the morning. The 341 meeting of creditors usually takes place in the same building. Plan for security screening when you arrive. Bring a photo ID.

Search Tempe Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the fastest way to find Tempe bankruptcy records. The system works 24 hours a day. You can search from home or work. First, register for a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Then log in and go to the Arizona bankruptcy court database at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov.

Search by the person's name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER shows the case docket, all documents filed, and the current status. You can download PDFs of petitions, schedules, and court orders. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If you use less than $30 per quarter, the court waives all fees.

The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) offers free phone access to basic case info. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The automated system tells you the case number, filing date, debtor name, and case status. It does not give you documents, but it is useful for quick checks.

Tempe and Maricopa County Records

Tempe is in Maricopa County, the largest county in Arizona. All Maricopa County bankruptcy cases are filed at the Phoenix federal courthouse. This means Tempe residents share the same court as people in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, and other nearby cities. The court serves over 4.6 million people.

Because so many people live in Maricopa County, the Phoenix court handles thousands of bankruptcy cases each year. Wait times for hearings can vary. The court has multiple judges to manage the caseload. Chief Judge Eddward P. Ballinger Jr. leads the court. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Arizona website has current schedules and filing information.

Note: Maricopa County Superior Court does not handle bankruptcy cases, as bankruptcy is a federal matter only.

Legal Research in Tempe

Tempe has a unique resource that most Arizona cities lack. The ASU Ross-Blakley Law Library at Arizona State University is open to the public. You can use their computers and legal databases to research bankruptcy law. The library has staff who can point you to the right resources.

The law library sits on the Tempe campus at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Hours vary during the school year and summer. Call ahead to confirm they are open. The library has federal court forms, bankruptcy code books, and online legal research tools. Students and community members use the same resources.

If you are filing bankruptcy on your own, the law library can help you understand the process. They do not give legal advice. But they can show you where to find forms and explain what documents the court requires. This is a free service for Tempe residents.

Tempe Bankruptcy Case Types

Tempe residents file the same types of bankruptcy as everyone else in Arizona. Chapter 7 is the most common. It wipes out most debts in a few months. A trustee may sell some of your property to pay creditors. Arizona has exemptions that let you keep your home, car, and personal items up to certain limits.

Chapter 13 is for people with regular income who want to keep their property. You pay back some or all debts over three to five years. The monthly payment depends on your income and what you owe. Many Tempe homeowners use Chapter 13 to catch up on mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure.

Chapter 11 is less common in Tempe. It is mainly for businesses that want to restructure debts while staying open. Some individuals with very high debts also use Chapter 11. The process is more complex and takes longer than Chapter 7 or 13.

All Tempe bankruptcy records include the original petition, schedules of assets and debts, the statement of financial affairs, proofs of claim from creditors, and court orders. The discharge order at the end of the case shows which debts were eliminated.

Fees for Tempe Bankruptcy Records

Searching Tempe bankruptcy records costs money through PACER. The fee is $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00. If your total stays under $30 per quarter, you pay nothing. Most people doing a few searches will not owe anything.

At the courthouse, paper copies cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy is $12.00 per document. If you mail a request, add $34.00 for the search fee. Pay by cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. You can also pay online through Pay.gov. The clerk's office in Phoenix does not take cash.

Free options exist. The public terminals at the Phoenix courthouse let you search PACER without fees. The VCIS phone line at 1-866-222-8029 is free for basic case info. The ASU law library in Tempe also provides access to legal research databases at no cost.

Tempe Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Legal Resources

Several groups offer free or low-cost bankruptcy help to Tempe residents. Community Legal Services at 602-258-3434 helps people who qualify based on income. They can explain your options and help with paperwork. The Phoenix courthouse Self-Help Center at 602-682-4007 has volunteer attorneys who answer questions.

The court offers an Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) tool for simple Chapter 7 cases. It guides you through the forms step by step. You answer questions and the system fills in the paperwork. This works best for cases with few assets and straightforward debts.

The Maricopa County Law Library at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/ has legal research resources. They have a location in downtown Phoenix. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 connects people with free legal help for bankruptcy matters.

Note: Bankruptcy attorneys in Tempe often offer free consultations to discuss your situation before you decide how to proceed.

Filing Bankruptcy in Tempe

To file bankruptcy in Tempe, you must first complete credit counseling. The course takes about an hour and can be done online. You need a certificate from an approved agency before filing. The U.S. Trustee Program lists approved providers.

Next, fill out the bankruptcy petition and schedules. These forms ask about your income, expenses, debts, and property. You list every creditor and how much you owe them. The forms are detailed and mistakes can cause problems. Many Tempe residents hire a bankruptcy attorney to help with this step.

File your paperwork at the Phoenix bankruptcy court. You can file in person or electronically through CM/ECF. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313 to file. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask to pay in installments or request a waiver.

After filing, an automatic stay stops most collection actions. Creditors cannot call you, sue you, or garnish your wages while the case is open. You will attend a 341 meeting of creditors where the trustee asks questions about your finances. Most cases end with a discharge order that wipes out qualifying debts.

Nearby Cities for Bankruptcy Records

Several cities near Tempe share the same bankruptcy court. Residents of these areas all file at the Phoenix federal courthouse. Each city page has local resources and information about accessing bankruptcy records.