Are you tired of spending your evenings pouring over bills that you cannot pay? Have you reached the end of your financial rope and you are ready to consider filing bankruptcy? Filing bankruptcy is a serious step; however, filing bankruptcy is a step that will put you on the road to financial recovery.

Completing a bankruptcy case can be a relief after the stress, anxiety, and frustration you experienced trying to pay debts that you could not afford to pay. Regardless of whether you filed a Chapter 7 case or a Chapter 13 case, you now have a fresh start to begin rebuilding your financial well-being for the future. Many of our clients have heard or been told that they would never qualify for a loan after bankruptcy, or that it would be many years and very difficult if they did qualify for a loan after bankruptcy. This is a common misconception about bankruptcy.

The History of Bankruptcy

The history of bankruptcy in the United States dates back to the founding of our country. The framers of the Constitution recognized that bankruptcy would be an essential element of a successful capitalist economy because the alternatives of sending individuals to “debtor’s prison” or allowing individuals to suffer under the weight of overwhelming debt would be unacceptable. Therefore, they authorized Congress to provide a legal process for citizens to resolve debt problems.

When you make the decision to file bankruptcy, your next thought is likely to be how long does bankruptcy take. Your attorney understands that you have been under a great deal of stress as you have tried to handle your debt problem on your own. The frustration, fear, and anxiety of dealing with angry creditors, abusive debt collectors, and the thought of losing your home, car, and other property causes emotional and physical stress; therefore, you want to know how long bankruptcy takes and how quickly can you get on with your life.

Are you considering filing a bankruptcy to solve your debt problems but you have heard from friends, family members, co-workers and others that bankruptcy attorneys can be difficult, harsh, and somewhat coldhearted? If so, we want to introduce you to our way of doing business as a bankruptcy law firm…

Time has a way of flying by before you realize it. That’s what happened to me. I thought I had my entire life ahead of me but before I realized it, it was almost time to retire. I had enjoyed a good life and I was looking forward to enjoying my retirement with my family, until I received the news that no one wants to hear — “you have cancer.” Those first few weeks were spent in doctors’ offices discussing treatment options and attorneys’ offices preparing for the worst-case scenario. I fought cancer and I won! I have been in remission now for five years; however, the fight was very long and very costly.

It is not hard to fall behind on bills. Most people you know have probably done so at some point in their life; it is common and can happen to anyone at any time.

At Kain & Scott, PA, you - the client - are our number one priority. Each client’s situation is different; therefore, we take the time to get to know your individual financial situation so that we can help you determine the best way to resolve your financial problem.

Jackie had a bright future ahead of her. She graduated high school at the top of her class and she was accepted to one of the top colleges in her state. Jackie had received help with tuition from several sources including some grants and scholarships; however, the cost of room, board, and tuition far exceeded the funds. In addition, she needed to support herself on a part-time job because her parents were not able to help her and her course of study did not allow her to work a fulltime job. In spite of the challenges, Jackie excelled in college.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy has many benefits and is not as difficult to file for as you might assume.  It is also a big decision that you should not make until you have all of the facts about filing under Chapter 7.  Below are some highlights from our blogs discussing Chapter 7. If you want to know more, click on the title to read the entire blog.

Bankruptcy has a bad reputation. Most, if not all, of these negative feelings about bankruptcy are due to myths that have been passed on from one misinformed person to the next. We are here to set the record straight and show you that those myths are completely wrong. With bankruptcy experience dating back to 1972, our firm can assure you that you will not have to go through any of the following experiences.

Are you considering filing a bankruptcy case in Minnesota to relieve your debt problem?  If so, you may have already found a great deal of information about what you should do prior to filing bankruptcy; however, the things you should NOT do prior to filing bankruptcy are just as important.  In many cases, what you do prior to filing bankruptcy may not have a direct impact on your bankruptcy case. However, there are a few actions you can take that may negatively affect your case.  Below are five things you should never do if you are contemplating filing a bankruptcy case.

One of the top concerns of many of our clients is how filing bankruptcy will affect their credit rating. This is a valid concern because credit scores are no longer used only for obtaining credit. Insurance companies, telecommunications companies, and employers are now checking credit histories and using credit scores to make decisions about more than simply issuing credit. So, how does filing bankruptcy affect your credit score?

Our story may sound familiar because so many other families are experiencing the same situation due to the recession. My husband and I had great jobs before the recession.  We were in debt with our house, vehicles, and a few credit cards but we were doing great. We paid our bills each month and had money left over to contribute to savings. Then the recession hit and my husband lost his job.  Unemployment compensation helped for a while; however, it eventually ran out. We cut expenses and reduced spending — we even took our children out of pre-school and day-care to save money since my husband was home to take care of them.

Are you considering filing bankruptcy to resolve your debt problems? Do you have questions about the bankruptcy process? The Minnesota bankruptcy attorneys at Kain & Scott want to help you find an affordable solution to your financial problems.  We offer a free bankruptcy consultation so that you can get the information you need to make an informed decision on the best way to get back on your feet financially. If you are having difficulty paying your debts, ask yourself these five questions.