COVID-19 Financial Fall Out - Getting the Facts about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Arizona

TL;DR

Arizona justice courts have issued new orders related to COVID-19, impacting civil cases and debt collection lawsuits.

Transcript

• Hey everybody, this is John Skiba with the Arizona Consumer Law Group and in today's video I wanted to give you a quick update on some of the orders that the Arizona justice courts have issued as it relates to COVID-19 and the Coronavirus and how they're operating. Because, there are some pretty big changes as to the way the ways in which they ar... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍⚖️ Arizona justice courts handle a significant number of debt collection lawsuits.
• 👶 New orders have brought changes to trial continuations, court staffing, and procedures for filing documents.
• 🥳 Parties are encouraged to take action, file answers, and address lawsuits promptly.
• 🎅 Default judgments are not being entered in the San Tan regional center but may still be issued in other courts.
• 🙅 Civil cases in certain courts, such as the downtown justice court region, have been temporarily halted.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Garnishment orders may not be issued during this time, depending on the judge's discretion.
• 🥳 Cases without service or inactivity will be extended for an additional 90 days before possible dismissal.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are debt collection lawsuits impacted by the new orders in Arizona's justice courts?

Debt collection lawsuits in Arizona's justice courts are affected by the new orders, with changes in deadlines, trial continuations, and reduced court staffing.

Q: Are all the procedures the same in every Arizona justice court?

No, each individual justice court in Arizona has issued its own orders, and not all procedures are exactly the same.

Q: How can parties appear in court during this time?

Parties can appear by telephone or video conference in courts where available, according to the new orders.

Q: Are default judgments being entered during this time?

In the San Tan regional center, default judgments will not be entered until the order is lifted, providing temporary relief to defendants. However, this may not apply in other courts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Arizona justice courts handle cases where the amount in dispute is less than $10,000, including many debt collection lawsuits.

• New orders have been issued in various courts, leading to changes in deadlines and procedures for civil cases.

• Trials have been continued, courts are operating on half staff, and parties can now email documents to the court for filing.