If you’re grappling with your finances and trying to stay afloat, it’s quite possible you have fallen behind on your utility bills. Well, if you have, you’re certainly not alone. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it’s tough deciding which bills you pay and which ones you don’t. Often times you take turns paying your debts. If you’ve fallen behind on utilities, don’t worry. When you file for bankruptcy we can make sure you’re protected from the past due amounts that are owed. After the bankruptcy, there may be a few things you have to do to keep your services, but we’ll talk about that too. The main thing I want you to know is, it’s all going to be ok. No matter what you’re faced with, we can help you manage the obstacles in front of you. Take a look at the scenario below and then read about how the MN Bankruptcy Attorneys at Kain & Scott helped Tony with his situation.
Scenario
Tony met with a MN Bankruptcy Attorney because he was concerned about a number of things. One of the things he was concerned about was his past due utility bills. Out of the previous eight months, Tony missed paying his electric bill five times. Accordingly, he received numerous warnings from the electric company they were going to turn off his service. Tony was mainly concerned about this because he has two kids and a wife, so he needed to know what his options were.
How Bankruptcy Helps When You Have Past Due Utilities
There is a provision within the Bankruptcy Code called the Automatic Stay. The Automatic Stay provides individuals protection from their creditors as soon as they file for bankruptcy. This protection prevents creditors from, among other things, discriminating against individuals who file for bankruptcy. Not only are utilities prevented from discriminating against people who file bankruptcy, but they also cannot alter, refuse, or discontinue service. In order to receive this protection, however, you must provide your utility company adequate assurance future debts owed to them will be paid. It is not common for utilities to require adequate assurance, but if they do, they generally ask for a security deposit or prepayment of service. If for some reason your utility company requests assurance that is not reasonable, be sure to consult with your MN Bankruptcy Attorney. Now take a look at how these protections helped Tony.
How MN Bankruptcy Attorneys Helped Tony
After visiting with Tony about his financial concerns, we decided filing for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy would prove to be beneficial not only for him but for his family. Tony contacted our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys for his initial consultation. We sat down with him for an informal conversation which lasted about one hour. During that time we gathered all the information necessary to properly assess his situation. Tony came to the meeting very nervous and concerned. This sentiment is shared amongst most of our clients as they courageously walk into our office. Once the meeting was over, and before he even left our office, Tony told us he could already feel the relief.
Our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys are available to meet with you in person, over the phone, and even via Skype or FaceTime.
The next step for Tony was to come in for a second appointment to review the documents we file with the court. That meeting typically lasts about two hours, and Tony’s meeting was no exception to this. Again, we sat down informally and discussed all of the documents we prepared for the court. Although the meeting took close to two hours, we were able to accomplish a lot. We discussed not only his current situation, but we also discussed options for him after the bankruptcy is finalized. We put together a plan to make sure his family never had to go through bankruptcy again.
About six weeks after we filed Tony’s case we had a meeting with a bankruptcy Trustee. At the meeting, Tony was asked questions about his income and expenses. The Trustee simply wanted to verify the information that we filed with the court. Our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys were with Tony while this meeting was conducted. Some clients get anxious before the meeting with the Trustee, but as Tony will tell you, there’s nothing to be concerned about. The meeting only took about ten minutes. Tony was very surprised by how easy the meeting really was. Once the meeting was over, Tony went about his life and waited to receive word from the court his bankruptcy had been finalized. Typically, it takes one to two months for the case to be finalized.
It was right about four weeks later Tony received a letter informing him his bankruptcy was approved and he received his discharge. This is the day Tony had been waiting for. Now, Tony was finally able to start rebuilding his life. There aren’t many times in life where you’re debt free, and Tony finally made it! Our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys gave Tony very sound advice on how to start rebuilding his credit. Some clients say they never want another credit card the rest of their life, and understandably so. This I can completely understand and relate to. However, if you’re considering what life after bankruptcy entails, it is important to think of what the necessary steps are to getting your life back. We have trained professionals that will help guide you through life after bankruptcy. As promised, our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys are by your side before, during, and after your case is filed.
If you’re thinking about filing bankruptcy, feel free to reach out to one of our MN Bankruptcy Attorneys. We will provide you with the information you need to know, the respect you deserve, and a plan to get your life back!
