Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Arizona
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Arizona means test and exemptions, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Arizona: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Arizona's ER 1.5 (Arizona Supreme Court Rule 42), the scope of representation and the basis or rate of the fee must be communicated to the client in writing, and contingency fee agreements must be signed by the client and meet ER 1.5(c). Contingency fees are not permitted in most family law matters or in any criminal defense case. If a fee is called nonrefundable or earned on receipt, the client must be told in writing that they may discharge the lawyer at any time and may be entitled to a refund. The bar's guidance also notes a contingency agreement cannot let the lawyer also take court-awarded fees or collect more than a statute allows. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Arizona's Fee Arbitration Program is free and voluntary for clients who dispute a lawyer's fee; the amount in dispute must be $1,000 or more and no litigation over the fee can be pending. Clients do not need a lawyer to take part. If both sides agree to arbitrate, the award is binding. Phone: 602-340-7379. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | Arizona's Client Protection Fund, created by the Arizona Supreme Court in 1961, can reimburse losses caused by an Arizona lawyer's dishonest conduct (theft, embezzlement, conversion, failure to refund unearned fees when no work was done, or intentional dishonesty) toward a client or in a qualifying fiduciary role. The lawyer generally must have been suspended for more than six months, disbarred, placed on interim suspension or disability inactive status, have died, or been convicted of a related felony. Negligence, malpractice and fee disputes where some work was done are not covered. The Trustees may pay up to $100,000 on one claim and up to $250,000 total in claims against one lawyer; payment is discretionary. Claims must be filed within five years of when the claimant knew or should have known of the dishonest conduct. |
Arizona rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | District of Arizona (the state's only bankruptcy district): under Local Rule 2084-3(b)(2), the maximum fees that may be approved as a chapter 13 flat fee are $4,500 for a non-business case and $5,500 for a case where the debtor indicates in the statement of financial affairs that they are self-employed or engaged in business and required to file monthly operating reports under Local Rule 2084-2(b). An attorney electing a flat fee must provide listed minimum services through confirmation of the plan and then assist the debtor in obtaining a discharge (including reviewing financial information, preparing the petition, schedules and plan and amendments, attending the section 341 meeting, resolving creditor objections, objecting to proofs of claim, and responding to motions to dismiss and for stay relief). The plan must state the flat fee election and amount; the flat fee is available only if no party objects and the court confirms the plan or approves the fees. The election is generally irrevocable. Alternatively, counsel may elect hourly compensation subject to a fee application. Rule text also posted at https://www.azb.uscourts.gov/rule-2084-3 (the 2022 note says the flat fee amount was then added to the rule). |
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| Means test median income | 1 person: $73,935; 2 people: $89,027; 3 people: $104,965; 4 people: $121,174; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026). The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required. |
| Homestead exemption | Up to $400,000 in equity in the filer's home (house and land in one compact body, a condominium or cooperative, or a mobile home or other shelter plus its land). One exemption per married couple or single person. The amount is adjusted every January 1 for inflation starting in 2024. In bankruptcy, the exemption is measured as of the filing date. No acreage limit is stated. The current inflation-adjusted figure is not stated in the statute. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1101(A), (B), (D), (F) |
| State or federal exemptions | Arizona filers must use Arizona's exemptions: "residents of this state are not entitled to the federal exemptions provided in 11 U.S.C. 522 (d)." Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1133(B) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Arizona offers an online Find an Attorney member directory but does not describe a statewide lawyer referral service. The Arizona courts' Self-Service Center lists the county bar referral services instead: the Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, (602) 257-4434, which charges a small consultation fee, and the Pima County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, (520) 623-4625, which offers a 30-minute consultation for a fee. State Bar public page: https://www.azbar.org/for-the-public/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Arizona's Member Directory lets you search lawyers by name or by legal need, with filters such as certified specialization, city, county, language and firm. Results show membership status, a State Bar admission-related date, practice area, professional liability insurance status, board-certified specializations and section memberships. Legal paraprofessionals and alternative business structures can also be looked up. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints ("bar charges") about Arizona lawyers, legal paraprofessionals and alternative business structures go to the State Bar of Arizona's Intake Department. The bar encourages calling the Intake Hotline (602-340-7280 or 800-319-0514 ext. 7280) before submitting a written charge, which can be filed with the online charge form. An Intake Bar Counsel reviews it, usually contacts the lawyer, and the matter may be dismissed, referred to diversion, or sent for screening investigation. The bar's "Check Legal Professional Discipline" link goes to its Member Directory. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Arizona has three LSC-funded legal aid organizations that give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Community Legal Services, (800) 852-9075 (Maricopa, Mohave, La Paz, Yavapai and Yuma counties and some nearby towns); DNA-People's Legal Services, (800) 789-5781 (Coconino County and the Navajo and Hopi Nations); and Southern Arizona Legal Aid, (800) 248-6789 (Pima and other southern and central counties and 11 Native American communities). Step Up to Justice offers free civil legal help to low-income residents of Pima County. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Arizona · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.