Phoenix Bankruptcy Attorney — Direct Access to Fred Thomas
Making the Law Personal.
Considering bankruptcy can bring a lot of questions. Which chapter applies? What happens to your home or car? Can bankruptcy stop collection activity?
At Thomas Law PLLC, Phoenix bankruptcy attorney Fred Thomas personally handles every Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy case he accepts. Clients work directly with Fred from the first conversation through the bankruptcy process—not through a case manager or rotating staff.
Thomas Law PLLC serves clients throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and the broader Maricopa County area.
The first conversation is free, confidential, and judgment-free, whether or not you decide to move forward.
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Bankruptcy Help in Phoenix & Across Maricopa County
Thomas Law PLLC helps individuals throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Maricopa County understand their bankruptcy options and determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 may provide a path forward.
Bankruptcy is not the right solution for everyone. Fred reviews your financial situation, explains what bankruptcy may and may not accomplish, and helps you understand your options before you make a decision.
Talk Directly With Fred
What Phoenix Metro Clients Say About Working With Fred Thomas
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Debt Resolution Options
Bankruptcy is not one-size-fits-all, and bankruptcy itself is not always the only path. The right option depends on your income, debts, assets, financial goals, and other circumstances.
Exemption Planning
Before or alongside a bankruptcy filing, exemption planning helps ensure that assets Arizona law protects from creditors stay protected. Proper planning can preserve what qualifies while still moving toward a debt resolution plan.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 may allow qualifying individuals to discharge certain unsecured debts, including credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans. Eligibility depends on factors such as income, assets, and the types of debt involved.
Learn More About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy →
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 reorganizes qualifying debt into a court-approved repayment plan, generally lasting three to five years. It may be an option for people who need time to catch up on certain payments or want to protect property while addressing their debt.
Learn More About Chapter 13 Bankruptcy →
Debt Negotiation & Settlement
For some clients, negotiating directly with creditors toward a reduced payoff amount is a realistic alternative to filing — potentially avoiding the longer-term credit impact of bankruptcy while still resolving the debt.
Not sure which option fits your situation?
A consultation does not commit you to filing.
Why Choose Thomas Law PLLC for Bankruptcy?
Financial problems are personal. The legal guidance you receive should be personal, too.
Direct Access to Your Attorney
Fred personally handles the bankruptcy cases he accepts. Clients know who is working on their case and who to contact when questions arise.
Decades of Arizona Legal Experience
Fred brings decades of experience working within Arizona's legal system, including bankruptcy matters, and understands the legal landscape in Maricopa County.
Clear Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Guidance
The goal is not to push someone toward bankruptcy. Fred explains the available options in plain language so clients can make informed decisions about what makes sense for their situation.
Confidential, Judgment-Free Conversations
Debt can happen for many reasons. Clients can discuss their financial circumstances openly and receive straightforward legal guidance without being lectured or judged.
Making the Law Personal.
Meet Phoenix Bankruptcy Attorney Fred Thomas
"Filing for bankruptcy isn't a sign that someone has failed—it's a legal tool. My job is to look at the situation clearly, explain the options, and help you understand what makes sense.
I've spent 22 years practicing law across Phoenix and Scottsdale, and bankruptcy cases work the same way every other matter does in this office: you're not routed to a case manager or a rotating staff member. When you call, you're reaching me — the attorney who reviews your finances personally, explains whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or neither fits your situation, and stays on your case through discharge or plan confirmation." — Fred Thomas
Fred has spent decades working within Arizona's legal system. Bankruptcy clients work directly with him throughout the process rather than being handed off after the initial consultation.
Talk to Fred Thomas Directly and Confidentially
What Debts and Financial Problems Can Bankruptcy Help With?
Bankruptcy can provide a legal path forward when debt has become difficult to manage and other options are no longer working.
Depending on the bankruptcy chapter and your individual circumstances, filing may help address:
- Credit card debt
- Medical bills
- Personal loans and other qualifying unsecured debts
- Wage garnishments and collection activity
- Creditor lawsuits
- Foreclosure or repossession concerns
- Past-due payments that may be reorganized through Chapter 13
Not every debt can be discharged, and bankruptcy does not affect every debt or asset the same way.
Fred reviews your income, debts, property, and immediate concerns to explain what bankruptcy may actually accomplish in your situation—and what it will not.
Learn More About Debts That May Be Discharged in Bankruptcy →
When Should You Consider Bankruptcy in Arizona?
Bankruptcy may be worth considering when debt has become difficult to manage or legal action is approaching. Common signs include:
- Wage garnishment or threats of garnishment
- An approaching foreclosure or repossession
- Minimum payments that aren't reducing your debt
- Persistent collection calls or creditor lawsuits
- Using credit cards to cover basic living expenses
Timing can matter. Filing bankruptcy generally triggers an automatic stay that can stop many collection activities while the case proceeds. If garnishment, foreclosure, repossession, or a creditor lawsuit is already underway, understanding your options sooner can help protect the choices available to you.
Bankruptcy options depend on your individual debts, income, assets, and circumstances.
There's No Cost to Find Out Where Things Stand
When Should You Consider Bankruptcy in Arizona?
Bankruptcy may be worth considering when debt has become difficult to manage or legal action is approaching. Common signs include:
Wage garnishment or threats of garnishment
An approaching foreclosure or repossession
Minimum payments that aren't reducing your debt
Persistent collection calls or creditor lawsuits
Using credit cards to cover basic living expenses
Timing can matter. Filing bankruptcy generally triggers an automatic stay that can stop many collection activities while the case proceeds. If garnishment, foreclosure, repossession, or a creditor lawsuit is already underway, understanding your options sooner can help protect the choices available to you.
Bankruptcy options depend on your individual debts, income, assets, and circumstances.
There's No Cost to Find Out Where Things Stand
What Happens When You Call Thomas Law PLLC About Bankruptcy?
Calling a bankruptcy attorney does not mean you have decided to file. The first step is a confidential conversation about your situation and the options that may be available.
01
Tell Fred What's Going On
You'll discuss the debts, income, assets, deadlines, and financial pressures that prompted you to call.
02
Understand Your Bankruptcy Options
Fred explains whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or another course of action may make sense based on the information available.
03
Decide Whether You Want to Move Forward
There is no obligation to file simply because you had a consultation. You can understand the options first and then decide what makes sense.
04
Work directly with Fred.
If you decide to move forward and Fred accepts the case, he remains your direct point of contact throughout the bankruptcy process.
"People often wait to call because they expect to be judged. That's not what happens here. My job is to explain the options clearly and let you decide."
— Fred Thomas
A Confidential Conversation Costs Nothing
Phoenix Bankruptcy Attorney FAQs
What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Arizona?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge qualifying unsecured debt, such as credit card balances and medical bills, typically within a few months, but eligibility depends on a means test based on income and assets. Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganizes qualifying debt into a court-approved repayment plan lasting three to five years, which can help someone catch up on a mortgage or car payment while keeping the property. Which chapter fits depends on income, assets, and what you're trying to protect.
Will filing bankruptcy stop wage garnishment or collection calls in Arizona?
Yes, in most cases. Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay under federal law (11 U.S.C. § 362) that generally stops wage garnishments, collection calls, and most creditor lawsuits immediately, while the bankruptcy case proceeds. Certain obligations, such as some child support and tax matters, are exceptions to the stay, so the effect on your specific debts should be evaluated individually.
Will I lose my house or car if I file bankruptcy in Arizona?
Not necessarily. Arizona's homestead exemption (A.R.S. § 33-1101) and vehicle exemption (A.R.S. § 33-1123) can protect qualifying equity in a home and a vehicle, and Chapter 13 offers additional options for catching up on payments while keeping the property. What actually happens depends on how much equity you have, which exemptions apply, and which bankruptcy chapter you file.
What debts can be discharged through bankruptcy?
Many unsecured debts can be discharged, including qualifying credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, and certain older tax debts. Whether a specific debt qualifies depends on its type, age, and the bankruptcy chapter filed.
What debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy?
Certain debts generally survive bankruptcy regardless of chapter, including most student loans, domestic support obligations like child support and alimony, many recent tax debts, and secured debts like a mortgage unless the property is surrendered. Some of these can only be discharged under limited, specific circumstances rather than as a matter of course.
How much does it cost to hire a bankruptcy attorney in Arizona?
The cost depends on the type and complexity of the bankruptcy case — a straightforward Chapter 7 typically costs less than a multi-year Chapter 13 repayment plan. Thomas Law PLLC offers a free initial consultation so you can discuss your specific situation with Fred Thomas and understand the applicable attorney fees and court costs before deciding whether to move forward.
Is there a debt limit for filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Yes. Chapter 13 eligibility is subject to combined secured and unsecured debt limits set under federal bankruptcy law, and those thresholds are periodically adjusted. Because the exact current limits can change, eligibility should be evaluated using the figures in effect at the time you're considering filing, not an older figure found online.
Is there a bankruptcy attorney near me in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
Yes. Thomas Law PLLC serves bankruptcy clients throughout Phoenix and Maricopa County, including Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe, from its Scottsdale-based office. Clients work directly with attorney Fred Thomas, with phone and video consultations available when in-person meetings aren't practical.
Do I need a bankruptcy attorney to file bankruptcy?
You can generally file bankruptcy without an attorney, a process known as filing "pro se," but bankruptcy involves federal court procedures, strict deadlines, exemption calculations, and financial disclosures where mistakes can be difficult or impossible to fix after filing. Speaking with an attorney first can help you understand the consequences and confirm bankruptcy is the right move before you file.
Will bankruptcy eliminate all of my debt?
No. Bankruptcy doesn't necessarily eliminate every type of debt — what can be discharged or reorganized depends on the type of debt, the bankruptcy chapter filed, and your individual circumstances. Fred reviews your specific obligations and explains realistically what bankruptcy can and can't accomplish for your situation.
How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy generally stays on a credit report for 10 years from the filing date, and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy generally stays for 7 years from the filing date. This 10-year and 7-year rule applies uniformly across all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Will bankruptcy ruin my credit forever?
No. While a bankruptcy filing does appear on a credit report for several years, most people begin rebuilding credit well before that reporting period ends by using credit responsibly afterward — making on-time payments, keeping balances low, and, in many cases, qualifying for a mortgage again within a few years of discharge. The negative effect on a credit score also tends to lessen the longer the bankruptcy has been on file.
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Arizona?
Beyond attorney fees, there's a one-time federal court filing fee that differs by chapter and is adjusted periodically by the U.S. Courts, so the exact current amount should always be confirmed directly rather than relied on from an older source. Thomas Law PLLC's initial consultation, where all of these costs are discussed together, is free.
Why hire a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney instead of filing on my own?
Because bankruptcy involves federal court procedures, exemption laws specific to Arizona, strict deadlines, and financial disclosures that are easy to get wrong without guidance — and mistakes are often harder to fix after filing than before. A Phoenix-based attorney familiar with the local bankruptcy court and Arizona's specific exemptions can help you avoid errors that could cost you property or delay your discharge.
A Confidential Conversation Costs Nothing
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale & Maricopa County
Thomas Law PLLC serves bankruptcy clients throughout Phoenix and surrounding Metro communities, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and other areas of Maricopa County.
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A Direct, Confidential Conversation About Your Options
Considering bankruptcy does not mean you have to file, and speaking with an attorney does not commit you to anything.
If debt, collection calls, wage garnishment, foreclosure, repossession, or other financial pressures have brought you here, contact Thomas Law PLLC. Fred Thomas will review your situation directly, explain the options that may be available, and help you understand what comes next.