This is a great question to ask. Normally, debts that are forgiven are taxable income to you. For example, if you had 100k in debt and your creditors all said- forget about it and wiped it out that is fantastic, except, you now will have to pay taxes on the 100k. Why? Anytime an entity writes off a loss on their taxes it is income to someone else. Make sense?  Now, let’s be clear, paying taxes on 100k is better than paying 100k. If your tax bill is 35k you just saved 65k.

Over a third of Minnesotans have more than $1,000 which they keep for financial emergencies. Credit card payments and medical bills usually do not qualify as such. So, many Minnesota bankruptcy filers have at least a few hundred extra dollars in the bank. Sometimes, this money is not even an emergency fund. They simply need it to pay bills.

The bad news is that, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the trustee liquidates as many nonexempt assets as possible to pay the debtors’ medical bills, credit cards, and other unsecured debts. The good news is that cash is often an exempt asset in Minnesota. Even if that’s not the case, at Kain & Scott, we know how to use legal loopholes in your favor.

Most banks have very little patience when it comes to missed mortgage payments. In fact, many lenders begin pre-foreclosure proceedings after just two missed payments. So, distressed Minnesota homeowners have very little safety cushion.

So you decided to file bankruptcy, and get your life back. You have resolved yourself to the fact that of all the options available to you, filing for bankruptcy, getting a fresh start, makes the most sense. I am really proud of you and honor your courage and anxiety! There is a lot of fear about filing bankruptcy. You wonder what people will think of you, what will they ask you and if you have to go to court?

For many people, the thought of buying a house after bankruptcy is one of the reasons why they want to avoid filing for relief from their debts. They assume that once they file bankruptcy they will not be able to obtain any type of credit, including a mortgage, because of the bankruptcy.  Unfortunately, this fear keeps some people from filing a bankruptcy case or delays the decision to file bankruptcy until matters are much worse.  The bankruptcy myth that a debtor will never qualify to buy a house after bankruptcy is simply that — a myth.  

I am a proponent of erring on the side of filing bankruptcy. Why? Because hitting the reset button is good for you mentally and physically. Who among us wants to live with overwhelming debt that results in stress and worry that sometimes doesn’t end for years? Not me. I have high anxiety. I don’t necessarily mind problems, but I cannot have no solutions. I also don’t want solutions that delay getting relief. For, me delayed relief from a problem, is no relief.

If you live and work around Woodbury, Minnesota, and you are contemplating filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, there are some things you should know. Sometimes things are not how they appear at first sight. Have you ever had the experience of thinking in your mind something was going to be really scary and then you did it, and found out it wasn’t as scary as you thought. Heck- you might have even enjoyed yourself a little!?

If you have filed bankruptcy, you have taken the first step toward recovering and rebuilding your finances. Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start, and one of the best ways to regain strong financial health is to set short term financial goals.

I am starting to see a disturbing trend occur in the legal field. Some law firms seem to think they can hire non lawyers to do lawyer’s jobs. Thing is- we lawyers are licensed to give legal advice to clients, non-lawyers are not.

The idea of bankruptcy for most is a scary proposition. But once you find out how it works, it softens the blow. For me, bankruptcy is a business tool, as Trump would say, to solve a business problem. That is, bankruptcy is a tool, to solve an overwhelming debt problem. Okay, well how does it solve the overwhelming debt problem?

It is sad for me to watch as some law firms protect their bottom line over the interest of the clients. If you think this doesn’t happen in Minnesota, think again. There is one firm, that rhymes with locker, that has five lawyers and five paralegals. Now, this firm advertises for Minnesota guests to come in to see them for a free “bankruptcy analysis”.

I have a cynical personality. I don’t trust easily and I want proof of statements made. Sound like you too? I think many of us are a bit cynical. Now, you shouldn’t be like my grandpa who was so cynical that he didn’t trust anyone. But a healthy dose of cynicism in the market place is ok! When you are looking for an awesome bankruptcy lawyer is Minnesota, look no further than Kain & Scott. Why? Here is the proof!

What is a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? How does it work? How does it look on my credit? These are all wonderful questions with straight forward answers. Here are some Chapter 13 facts you will find useful.