Congratulations!  You have completed your bankruptcy case. You have taken the first step in improving your financial well-being for you and for your family.  Most debtors feel an overwhelming sense of relief when they complete their bankruptcy case.  They are free from the fear of losing their property, the anxiety of dealing with creditors and debt collectors, and the sense of hopelessness of never being able to climb out of debt. While you may be a little nervous about spending money, it is also a wonderful feeling to know that you can now afford the necessities your family needs. You can now focus on your life after bankruptcy rather than worrying about how you will pay your debts.

Taking the step to meet with an attorney for a free bankruptcy consultation is the first thing you should do on your road to getting your finances under control. Many lawyers provide a free bankruptcy consultation to help you decide what is right for you and your situation. The bankruptcy consultation is an opportunity for the attorney to evaluate your financial situation in detail in order to provide affordable solutions to your debt problems based on the attorney’s vast knowledge of bankruptcy law and his experience helping people solve their financial problems.

Are you struggling to pay your bills each month with less and less money?  Are bill collectors harassing you for payment and are creditors threatening lawsuits, foreclosure, or repossession?  If so, you should consider filing a bankruptcy case to resolve your debt problems.  Making the decision to file bankruptcy may not be an easy process; however, with the right Roseville bankruptcy attorney, the process and experience of filing a bankruptcy case can be less stressful than you may think.

Prior to the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), the bankruptcy Means Test did not exist.  The purpose of the Means Test was to help prevent bankruptcy fraud by preventing individuals with higher income levels from filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge their unsecured debts.  Creditors lobbied congress to pass the Means Test as a way to require individuals who DO have disposable income to pay back some of their debts in a Chapter 13 case instead of filing for a Chapter 7. Requiring those with disposable income to pay back  a portion of their debts in a Chapter 13 case provides a safeguard for creditors and reduces bankruptcy fraud.

Almost  every person who comes into our office for a free bankruptcy consultation with one of our attorneys asks the same question, “Will I lose property if I file a bankruptcy?”  After our attorneys address this common bankruptcy question (most debtors keep all of their property), one of the next common follow up questions from the person is, “Is it difficult to buy a car after bankruptcy?”

Eliminating calls from creditors, reducing finance charges, lowering interest rates, and only having one debt payment to worry about each month sounds wonderful to someone who is struggling to pay his or her debts.  That is exactly what debt consolidation companies promise clients.  Debt consolidation companies promise to cut years off your debt payments, help reorganize your debt, alleviate your stress and anxiety, and improve your financial situation. 

One of the most common questions that we are asked is, “If I file bankruptcy, will I lose all of my property.” A common misconception is that if someone files bankruptcy they will lose his or her property. Unfortunately, the fear of losing property keeps many people from seeking the debt relief that bankruptcy provides.

Have you fallen behind on your mortgage payments and the mortgage company is threatening foreclosure?  Have you been served with a foreclosure complaint or is your home scheduled for a foreclosure sale?  If so, you are not alone. You are one of thousands of people in Minnesota who are facing losing their home through a foreclosure process.

Maple Grove, MN was founded in 1858 and is located in Hennepin County with an estimated population of 68,119. It is a vibrant part of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area with many retail, dining, cultural, and entertainment options.  The city is also home to research, development, and manufacturing facilities. With a median household income of $92,188 and a strong commercial presence, the city is attractive for anyone looking for a stable economy and ample job availability.

Many people ask us, “Will filing bankruptcy affect my spouse’s credit?” This is a common question we hear in our law firm when one spouse needs to file a bankruptcy case but the other spouse does not. The concern that one spouse’s debt problems will negatively affect the other spouse is a normal concern; however, there are many cases where one spouse can file bankruptcy and the other spouse is not affected at all.

As medical costs continue to rise, the ability for individuals to pay off their medical bills is becoming increasingly difficult. In fact, fifty-six million people under the age of 65 will have trouble paying their medical bills this year. These unpaid medical bills and expenses result in three out of every five bankruptcies filed in the United States. Even for individuals who are covered by health insurance, 10 million of those individuals have medical bills that they cannot afford to pay after insurance has paid its portion. For these individuals, filing bankruptcy due to medical bills may be their best option. 

If you research bankruptcy online, you will find some useful information but you will also find a great deal of misinformation. Unfortunately, this misinformation can create doubt, confusion, and fear for a person who is already suffering the stress of dealing with debt problems. You may believe that the bankruptcy timeline is long and complicated; however, our staff is here to help you through each step in the bankruptcy timeline so that you can put the stress and anxiety of debt problems behind you in less time than you think.

Getting out of debt is a great feeling. Many of us want to get out of debt but we do not know exactly where to begin. Having a plan to get out of debt is the first step. When you have a plan and specific goals, it helps you  focus on the steps that you must take to achieve your financial goals. Below are several ways you can improve your financial well-being by taking control of your finances to get out of debt.

We understand that not being able to pay your bills every month is frightening. Being harassed by creditors and debt collectors only increases the level of fear and frustration.

As part of the bankruptcy reform in 2005, Congress enacted a provision in the Bankruptcy Code that requires debtors to complete a credit counseling course, also known as a pre-bankruptcy course, prior to filing bankruptcy. Regardless of the reason why a person may need to file for bankruptcy relief, each person must choose a consumer debt counselor to complete the credit counseling course.

“We don’t judge you, we help you get your life back.”

The Minnesota bankruptcy attorneys at Kain & Scott live and breathe that motto. It wasn’t always written down on paper or hanging on the walls, but it has always been our driving force.