States Arizona District of Arizona

District of Arizona

Federal Judicial District · FY2024 · AOUSC Judicial Caseload Statistics

Statistical information only — not legal advice. Consult a bankruptcy attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

14,823

Total Filings

mid-volume district (FY2024)

8,923

Chapter 7

liquidation cases (FY2024)

5,635

Chapter 13

wage-earner plans (FY2024)

721

Business

corporate cases (FY2024)

Filing History

Year Total Ch. 7 Ch. 11 Ch. 12 Ch. 13
FY2024 14,823 8,923 245 20 5,635
FY2023 13,245 8,305 201 24 4,715
FY2022 11,842 8,100 143 25 3,574
FY2021 12,632 9,082 147 31 3,372
FY2020 16,629 11,823 218 22 4,566
FY2019 23,668 14,698 213 16 8,741
FY2018 23,817 14,838 208 16 8,755
FY2017 23,447 15,241 219 19 7,968
FY2016 24,265 16,427 223 22 7,593
FY2015 25,792 17,513 231 21 8,027

Year-over-Year Trend & Chapter Mix

60%

Chapter 7 share

14,102

Consumer filings

Filings increased 11.9% from FY2023 to FY2024 in the District of Arizona.

What the District of Arizona Data Shows

In FY2024, the District of Arizona processed 14,823 federal bankruptcy petitions. Chapter 7 liquidations made up 60% of the caseload (8,923 cases), while Chapter 13 wage-earner repayment plans represented 38% (5,635 cases). Chapter 11 reorganizations — the path used by most complex corporate debtors — totaled 245, and Chapter 12 cases for family farmers and fishermen totaled 20. Business filings accounted for 4.9% of the district's total activity, with the remaining 14,102 filings classified as consumer cases.

AOUSC data for this district covers 10 fiscal years (FY2015–FY2024). Across that window, total filings fell 42.5%, with a pronounced trough during FY2020–FY2022 when federal pandemic relief programs suppressed filings nationwide. The district's Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 mix is shaped by the presiding state's exemption laws, local attorney fee conventions, standing orders from the bankruptcy judges, and trustee practices — factors that can shift material outcomes like whether a debtor keeps a home or surrenders it.

These counts describe the population of filings in this district; they do not describe the success rate of any given case or predict how an individual filing will resolve. Chapter 13 completion rates, for example, vary widely between districts even within the same state, and Chapter 11 outcomes depend heavily on case-specific financing, creditor negotiations, and court-approved plans. This page is statistical information only and is not legal advice; anyone considering bankruptcy should consult a licensed attorney who practices in the District of Arizona before relying on district-level averages for a personal decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bankruptcy cases were filed in the District of Arizona in FY2024?

The District of Arizona had 14,823 total bankruptcy filings in FY2024. Of those, 8,923 were Chapter 7 (liquidation), 5,635 were Chapter 13 (wage earner plans), 245 were Chapter 11 (business reorganization), and 20 were Chapter 12 (family farmer/fisherman).

What types of bankruptcy can be filed in the District of Arizona?

All four bankruptcy chapters (7, 11, 12, 13) can be filed in the District of Arizona. Chapter 7 liquidation is the most common nationwide. Chapter 13 allows wage earners to repay debts over 3-5 years. Chapter 11 is primarily for businesses. Chapter 12 is reserved for family farmers and fishermen.

How have bankruptcy filings changed over time in this district?

The District of Arizona has filing data from FY2015 through FY2024. Filings dropped sharply during 2020-2022 due to pandemic relief programs, and have been rising since as those programs expired. Nationally, the 2022 trough was the lowest in decades.

What is the difference between business and non-business bankruptcy filings?

In FY2024, the District of Arizona had 721 business filings and 14,102 non-business (consumer) filings. Business filings typically use Chapter 11 for reorganization, while consumer filings are predominantly Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Related

Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBankruptcy Editorial