Kelly Black

About Kelly Black

Kelly Black lives and works in Mesa, Arizona and provides legal services primarily in the areas of Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation, and Arbitration and Mediation. Mr. Black has twenty five years of experience as an Arizona attorney, and over ten years of experience with bankruptcy practice.

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Education

• Law School: Brigham Young

Common questions about Bankruptcy in Arizona

Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?

Pro se filing is permitted but strongly discouraged. The Bankruptcy Code is technical, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona's local rules add procedural detail, and errors (missing schedules, incorrect exemption claims, failure to attend the 341 meeting) can result in case dismissal without discharge. Most consumer Chapter 7 cases run $1,500-3,500 in attorney fees and the value of professional handling is high.

Can student loans be discharged in bankruptcy?

Rarely. Federal student loans and most private student loans are non-dischargeable except by proving 'undue hardship' under 11 USC § 523(a)(8). Following the Department of Justice's 2022 guidance, undue-hardship adversary proceedings have become somewhat more accessible in cases of long-term inability to repay, but the bar remains high. Discharge of student debt typically requires a separate adversary proceeding within the bankruptcy case.

Will bankruptcy affect my credit forever?

No. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy generally appears on credit reports for 10 years from filing; Chapter 13 for 7 years from filing. However, the impact diminishes over time. Many filers begin rebuilding credit within 12-24 months through secured credit cards and on-time payment history. Credit scores often recover faster than the 7- or 10-year reporting period suggests.

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