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.

The following story may sound similar because many American struggling with credit card debt did not incur that debt by purchasing luxury items, taking expensive vacations, or buying unnecessary personal items. In many cases, a person struggling to pay credit card debt incurred that debt because of a financial crisis.

Are you wondering if you should file a bankruptcy to get rid of your debt?  You have likely read information on the Internet and talked to friends, family, or co-workers who filed bankruptcy successfully, but you are still unsure if a bankruptcy is the best way to deal with your debt problems.  If you are considering a bankruptcy filing, you need to consult with a qualified Minnesota bankruptcy attorney before you make any final decisions. 

Are you struggling to pay your debts each month? Do you feel hopeless when you think about your financial situation? Do you wish there was someone who could help you with debt management in Eagan, MN?  If so, you are not alone.  Many people are facing the same debt management problems that you are facing. They do not have the money each month to pay their living expenses, bills, and debts.  The stress and anxiety from dealing with their financial problems leaves them feeling hopeless and defeated.

The amount of student loan debt owed by Americans has surpassed the total credit card debt owed in this country. The cost of receiving a college education continues long after the student receives his or her diploma in the form of student loan payments.

The first month you are unable to pay your bills, you may feel a little stressed but you assume you will simply catch up next month. The second month you are short on money to pay bills you may feel worse, but it is only a couple of months so you will catch up.  Unfortunately, the more time that passes, the harder it is to catch up on past due bills. This scenario may occur for a number of reasons; a loss of income, even a temporary loss of income, can quickly create a financial crisis.  If you or a family member suddenly becomes ill, the medical bills and lost time from work quickly deplete your savings. What can you do to get out of debt?

Are you searching for the best bankruptcy lawyer in Woodbury, MN? The attorneys at Kain & Scott have one goal — to help individuals and businesses who are experiencing financial troubles. You have suffered with debt problems long enough. You deserve to get on with your life without the threat of being sued by a creditor or harassed by a debt collector. 

We often have clients come into our office and ask, "Why do I need to include all of my debts in my bankruptcy?" Some people want to pay back some of their creditors while others want to avoid certain creditors from knowing about the bankruptcy. For example, a client comes into the office for a bankruptcy consultation. When we discuss the types of debts she owns, she tells us that she does not want to include all of her debts in the bankruptcy case because she owes her parents money and she must pay that money back.  She also does not want her parents to know that she is filing bankruptcy. 

Bankruptcy law was created to provide individuals with a way to resolve debt problems. Some people assume that you only need to file bankruptcy if you are "bad with money" or you abuse credit; however, this is not true.  While some people who file bankruptcy do so because they got into trouble with debt, most people need the help of the bankruptcy court because of a financial crisis caused by the loss of a spouse, unemployment, a failed business, divorce, personal injury, accident, or sudden illness. You can experience a financial crisis at any time — bankruptcy can help you recover and rebuild your credit following that crisis. 

As part of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), Congress made consumer credit counseling mandatory as part of the bankruptcy filing process. A debtor must file a certification that states the debtor completed consumer credit counseling within 180 days of the filing of the bankruptcy case unless the debtor is exempt from the requirement to take the course. Exemptions are extremely limited and only apply in a very small percentage of cases.