Can I Clear My Medical Debt by Filing for Bankruptcy in Arizona?

There is no shortage of information about how health care expenses have spiraled out of control. Life-saving drugs cost thousands of dollars a month in some cases, and a single surgery can cost more than the price of a house. Insurance may cover some of that, but most insurance will not cover all of it. You may still owe tens of thousands of dollars for medical care, even if you have health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance, you could lose everything trying to pay off your medical bills.

Fortunately, you do have options other than struggling in debt for years or selling off everything you own to pay for your medical expenses. Filing for bankruptcy in Glendale may be able to help you get rid of your medical expenses or to make them more manageable to pay. You should talk with a Glendale bankruptcy attorney to find out exactly how bankruptcy can help your particular circumstances.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Phoenix can get rid of your medical expenses entirely. Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges, or erases, all unsecured debt – which is debt that is not backed by some property as a promise in case of default. Doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers do not have the right to seize your home or personal property if you do not pay them. They are unsecured creditors, which means they have only your word that you are going to pay.

Before you can file for Phoenix Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have to qualify. You must pass a means test, which looks at your income in comparison to the average, as well as other factors. If you do not pass the means test, you cannot file for Chapter 7, and you cannot completely liquidate your medical debts.

If you do qualify for Chapter 7, there is no limit on how much medical debt you can discharge. You could have hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt, and it can all be cleared when the bankruptcy is closed, which typically takes only a few months.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

If you cannot file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can still get some relief from medical debt by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Mesa. Under Chapter 13, a debt repayment plan is created for you based on your ability to pay. You can put all your medical debt into a three- to five-year repayment plan. You will pay a lower monthly payment, avoid late fees and other penalties, and then likely have your debt dismissed when the repayment plan is over.

Filing for Mesa Chapter 13 bankruptcy will put an end to the calls and letters you receive from your debtors, and it will give you an end point for paying off your debt. You also have the option to pay less of your debt than you would if you were just paying the bills as they came in.

Filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Phoenix can provide you with great relief from overwhelming medical debt. You might get immediate relief from all debt with Chapter 7, or you might reduce the burden by putting your debt into a manageable repayment plan under Chapter 13. You should talk to a bankruptcy attorney serving Phoenix to determine which chapter of bankruptcy would be best for your financial circumstances and your goals. Your Arizona bankruptcy attorney can help you understand the best course of action to take to reach your goals as quickly as possible.

The bankruptcy attorneys at My AZ Lawyers are ready to help you get the maximum debt relief possible through bankruptcy, whether you are struggling with medical debt or some other kind of debt. We may be able to help you get total liquidation through Chapter 7, or we may help you get on an affordable debt repayment plan through Chapter 13. If you own a business, we can also help you explore the business bankruptcy options. We serve both individual and business clients through the Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, and Phoenix areas. Call our bankruptcy law office today to schedule a consultation with a reputable and committed bankruptcy attorney to learn about your options for debt relief.

Arizona Offices:

Mesa Location:
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite #100
Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: (480) 448-9800
Email: info@myazlawyers.com
Website: https://myazlawyers.com/

Glendale Location:
20325 N 51st Avenue Suite #134, Building 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
Office: (602) 509-0955

Tucson Location:
2 East Congress St., Suite #900-6A
Tucson, AZ 85701
Office: (520) 441-1450

Avondale Location:
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Ste E, #101
Avondale, AZ 85392
Office: (623) 469-6603