There are various reasons a Chapter 13 bankruptcy could be dismissed or converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be voluntarily converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy at any time. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be voluntarily converted to a Chapter 7 for a number of reasons, including a change in your financial circumstances that may allow a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to be more suitable.

    Preferences are a type of transfer made by a debtor to a creditor before a bankruptcy petition is filed that the trustee may avoid and force the creditor to pay back to the estate. 11 U.S.C. § 547(b). The bankruptcy system was created to promote fairness to creditors while at the same time provide debtors a fresh and new financial start. Therefore, the payment of creditors must be equitable and no one creditor can be favored over another. This equitable principle applies, even before the debtor has filed for bankruptcy.

Welcome back to our series of blog posts on the history and philosophy of the economy, bankruptcy, and debt – today we continue to discuss public benefits, specifically social security and other 20^th century public benefits. 

    LifeBack Law Firm is Minnesota’s nicest, largest, and most helpful bankruptcy law firm. At LifeBack Law Firm, clients are not only treated as clients, but as friends or family members. We recently opened a new office location in the heart of the Cathedral Hill neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota. This new office address is located at: 370 Selby Ave Suite 224, St. Paul, MN 55102. Our modern, quaint, and historical St. Paul office is located just outside of downtown St. Paul in the charming Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota borders Summit Avenue to the south, Marshall Avenue to the north,

    It’s easy to fall behind on car or mortgage payments, especially with the challenging economic times we now find ourselves in.  Falling behind on these payments can lead to one’s car being repossessed or a foreclosure upon one’s home. Creditors are often not easy to deal with, and frequently, many people find themselves in a position where they are unable to negotiate with the creditor to avoid losing their home or car. However, these people are not helpless. There is a tool available to help them and it’s called bankruptcy. A chapter 13 bankruptcy, in particular, is designed to allow people who fall behind on car or home payments to get caught back up with a court-approved repayment plan.

    After a debtor has completed the bankruptcy schedules and a Chapter 7 bankruptcy has been filed with the court, a debtor must attend a 341 hearing, also known as a meeting of creditors. Several days after the bankruptcy case is filed, a debtor will receive a notice of the 341 hearing. The notice will indicate the date, time and method by which the meeting will occur. Currently, in the state of Minnesota, 341 hearings are conducted virtually, either by telephone or by Zoom. A 341 hearing is also called “meeting of creditors,” however, creditors rarely attend. A debtor’s assigned bankruptcy trustee will conduct the 341 hearing.

     Thousands of Minneapolis, MN residents contemplate filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy each year. The inevitable question that arises is how will filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Minneapolis, MN affect my credit score? It is a respectable question and one that I would want to know the answer to myself. So many people think if you file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, your credit score is sort of doomed forever. Not true at all. In fact, in many instances, it is just the opposite. 

If you are looking at filing bankruptcy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you may be wondering what steps you have to take and what you need to file. Every case is different, therefore the below is a general guideline and idea. 

    Cars depreciate in value quickly. Your car may have been your pride and joy when you first drove it off of the dealership lot. However, after many miles of wear and tear, you may feel differently. It is not uncommon for people to find themselves in a position in which their vehicle is worth much less than what they still owe on their car loan. This is not surprising when you consider the amount of interest the car loan lenders make you pay (and don’t get me started on all those extra fees the dealerships like to throw in).  However, there is a solution to that expensive eyesore taking up space in your driveway. You guessed it! You can file a personal bankruptcy case.

Life happens, we do not set out to owe our creditors money we cannot payback. If you are in a situation where you owe your utility providers for a current service you use, you may be wondering, can I include my utility provider as a creditor in my bankruptcy?
The answer, is yes. Although, you can include your utility providers, read on to find out requirements for doing so.

Summer in Saint Paul is a thing of beauty. Everywhere you look, there’s trees, rich foliage, and lots of flowers.  The weather is typically sunny and warm, but not too hot. The city is full of people engaging in outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, jogging, and playing in the park. However, one of the best things about the summertime in St. Paul is the sports.  

Once a creditor obtains a judgment against a debtor in order for the creditor to obtain payment from the debtor the creditor will attempt to enforce the judgment. Enforcement of the judgment can be in the form of a bank levy or garnishment but it can also be a lien against the debtor’s real estate. 

LifeBack Law Firm is Minnesota’s most kind and helpful bankruptcy law firm. We recently opened up a new location right where you live in Minneapolis, MN! We are now located at 310 E 38 Street, Suite 111, Minneapolis, MN 55409. We are just south of downtown Minneapolis and located on a bus line with plenty of free parking. If you live in Minneapolis, and you are suffering from overwhelming debt, and you need to file bankruptcy and get your life back, look no further than LifeBack Law Firm. LifeBack has been protecting Minnesotans from their creditors since 1972, and we can protect you too. 

Not all debts in a bankruptcy are dischargeable. 11 U.S.C. § 523 of the Bankruptcy Code provides exceptions to the dischargeability of some debts. This blog will address the nondischargeability of debts encompassed by Section 523(a)(6). 

     It is the age-old question isn’t it? What effect does filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy have on my credit? It’s not what you think and here is why. Suppose you say to me, I have 50k in credit card debt and I have fallen behind on my payments. The credit card companies have not sued me yet but I am in default on all my payments and I am starting to hear from collection agencies. We all know collection agencies are the last stop before you get sued and your wages garnished and accounts levied by creditors.

Almost every client wants to know where their case will be filed and whether the county they live in is the location for filing. The county you live in does determine where your case is filed, but your case will not be filed in your local county courthouse.