Individuals can technically file bankruptcy without a lawyer, or pro se. However, filing bankruptcy without a lawyer is rarely a good idea. 

Bankruptcy has strict requirements. A single mistake can lead to dismissal, lost assets, and long-term financial consequences.

Stone Rose Law helps Arizona debtors understand their bankruptcy options before they file. 

If you are considering Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, call Stone Rose Law or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney.

What Does Pro Se Bankruptcy Mean?

Pro se bankruptcy means a debtor files a bankruptcy petition without a lawyer. Individuals…
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If you are wondering whether utility bills can be included in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the short answer in Arizona is yes. Past-due balances on your electric, gas, water, phone, and internet bills are generally treated as unsecured debts, which means they are dischargeable when your case closes. 

There are a few important conditions, though, including a 20-day deposit rule and a narrow fraud exception that can pull a utility debt back out of your discharge.

When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona, this kind of liquidation bankruptcy will stop bill collectors and creditor lawsuits through its automatic stay,…
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Ideally, if you have just received your discharge after bankruptcy, whether through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you are enjoying the benefits of having a fresh start without having to make debt payments. But the world is not a perfect place, and you may find that at some point shortly after your bankruptcy, you may need to obtain a loan.

You may have experienced an illness or injury that has resulted in a large hospital bill. Maybe your old furniture has finally broken down, and you need to replace it. You may need money to pay for major home repairs,…
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In an Arizona bankruptcy, you can include certain income tax debts for discharge, but only if you meet applicable rules. Arizona follows the federal bankruptcy code, which means your key considerations are the type of tax debt and its age. 

Can you file bankruptcy on back taxes? The short answer is that tax debts older than three years may qualify for discharge under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Stone Rose Law bankruptcy attorneys are experienced in navigating the intersection between federal tax laws and how they affect your tax debts and other tax liabilities.

To speak with one of our…
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Sometimes you can find yourself “underwater” on a secured loan, owing more on your balance than the property is worth. For some kinds of property, under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to address this problem by reducing the balance owed to the value of the property. This mechanism is called a “cramdown.”

In combination with the debt-repayment plan that is integral to a Chapter 13 case, a cramdown can help you keep property, such as your car or home, while reducing your total debt.

Stone Rose Law represents Arizona residents who need debt relief, including bankruptcy.
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How long after bankruptcy can I get a car loan? You can apply for a car loan immediately after filing. Some dealerships offer exclusive financing to bankruptcy filers and will have a vehicle ready to close the next day after you file. 

However, favorable financing terms usually require additional time after filing to rebuild your credit.  In Chapter 13 cases, you can apply during your 3- to 5-year plan, but only with the bankruptcy court’s advance approval.

Whether you use Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can make a difference in some important ways, including your ability to get auto…
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Financial troubles are often at the root of both bankruptcy and divorce. If you are contemplating bankruptcy relief as your marital relationship is coming to an end, you may be wondering whether to wait until after the divorce is finalized before filing your petition for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

As we will see, there is no simple answer to this question. What the best choice is for you when considering divorce in light of the bankruptcy process depends on multiple considerations that intersect with each other in different ways based on your unique situation, which can be influenced…
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Can bankruptcy stop the repossession of a vehicle? In most cases, yes — at least temporarily. If you have fallen into default on your car loan and are facing repossession, the bankruptcy automatic stay can protect you from a repossession before it begins. 

How filing for bankruptcy works with repossessions in Arizona depends in part on what kind of bankruptcy petition you use (Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy) and whether the lender has already taken possession of the vehicle.

In this article, our bankruptcy attorneys at Stone Rose Law discuss the effect of bankruptcy filing on car and…
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When you are looking for a way out from under overwhelming debt, you may find yourself weighing debt settlement vs bankruptcy as your two main options. Bankruptcy is a powerful tool, but it is not necessarily the only choice you have. 

Several debt relief mechanisms exist that do not require federal bankruptcy protection, and debt settlement is one of the most commonly considered alternatives, each with its own advantages and drawbacks compared to bankruptcy.

In this article, we compare debt settlement vs bankruptcy directly. We explain what debt settlement is and its potential pros and cons as a debt relief…
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Under Arizona product liability law, a failure to warn is a distinct cause of action alongside other causes of action, such as negligence and strict liability. It is also called a “marketing defect” or an “informational defect.”

Unlike a design or manufacturing defect claim, in a failure-to-warn claim, the product may not be defective in its design or manufacture; it may be working exactly as the manufacturer intended. The liability is based on the product being unreasonably hazardous to consumers because its manufacturer failed to provide adequate safety warnings or instructions.

In this blog post, we focus on failure to…
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Creditors use a variety of informal and formal means to recover debts. One of the last measures a creditor will resort to is wage garnishment, which is a legal process to have some of your wages withheld to pay a debt.

Federal and Washington state laws provide for wage garnishment. In this blog post, we focus on how Washington garnishment laws work and what you can do if a creditor tries to have your wages garnished.

Stone Rose Law represents clients seeking bankruptcy. To learn more about your choices if you are the subject of a garnishment effort in Washington,…
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If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may have grounds to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. 

Proving negligence in a personal injury case requires you to establish four elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages. Understanding how to prove negligence is the first step toward recovering what you are owed.

Stone Rose Law represents plaintiffs in Arizona personal injury claims. In this post, we explain the elements of negligence, the evidence you need, and the burden of proof in negligence cases under Arizona law.

If you have been injured and…
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Under Arizona state law, a defective product is one that, when it leaves the control of the manufacturer or the product seller, is defective, unreasonably dangerous, and causes injury, death, or property damage. 

There is no one single statute that provides this definition. Instead, it comes from how Arizona courts define Arizona’s product liability statutes and common law.

You can prove a product liability claim in more than one way. Perhaps the most common way is through strict liability, but other ways include negligence and breach of warranty claims.

Stone Rose Law represents Arizona residents who have product liability claims.
Continue Reading How Do You Prove Product Liability in Arizona?