Lawmakers in St. Paul may spend much of 2018 wrestling with a projected $188 million shortfall. While not a staggering sum, the state will surely look for new revenue sources before it trims services. So, expect the Department of Revenue to be even more aggressive than usual in collecting past-due income taxes. That’s especially true for older delinquent accounts which have not seen much activity lately.

These tactics are actually good news for Minnesota taxpayers looking to discharge their tax debts in bankruptcy. As set out below, the Bankruptcy Code sets out very specific rules in this area. Taxing authorities strictly adhere to these rules and almost never grant exceptions.

Last week I wrote about why being able to file a chapter 13 bankruptcy case quickly is advantageous to debtors. Chapter 13 is often the “emergency” bankruptcy - in many cases that end up being filed as chapter 13s, a mortgage foreclosure is days away, or the repossession agent has been out looking for a client’s car to repossess.  Or in some cases, the repossession has already taken place and the owner has a short period of time in which to redeem the vehicle prior to the vehicle being sold at an auction.  So there are numerous situations in which time matters, and the time is short.  Being able to file quickly is an advantage - and at Kain & Scott we can file a case quickly and professionally.  So the question is, what is there about the Kain & Scott law firm that enables the firm to file a case quickly?

If you live in Bloomington, Minnesota and are considering filing a bankruptcy this is a lesson in buyer beware! At Kain & Scott our Bloomington Bankruptcy Lawyers have seen several bankruptcy services advertised on park benches, back pages of newspapers, and from out of state companies. Take our word for it, here’s the main thing you need to watch out for…

It can happen to any one of us. One catastrophe can happen after another. You might have started a business 10 years ago that failed miserably right? That caused the first bankruptcy. 5 years ago you might have been diagnosed with brain cancer. While you beat it, the illness left you with an insurmountable pile of medical debt. That led to the 2^nd bankruptcy… Now what?

There are some universal truths in the world. These are things that always apply no matter what. When you are contemplating filing a bankruptcy in St Paul, Minnesota, I can tell you there are 2 things you should NEVER do before filing bankruptcy.

Just like consumer bankruptcy can stop home foreclosure, wage garnishment, vehicle repossession, and most other types of adverse creditor action, bankruptcy can also stop lawsuits. Even if the trial is scheduled for tomorrow, bankruptcy can halt it.

For many people, a creditor lawsuit is a remote, theoretical possibility. They know it can happen, but they do not believe it will ever happen to them. Suddenly, there’s an unfamiliar knock on the door at an unusual hour and someone, usually a Minnesota peace officer, delivers a summons.

Yes, bankruptcy records are public information in general. It’s no different than your divorce records or criminal records which are public too. But, when is the last time you went down to Ramsey County and checked out your neighbor’s criminal or divorce records? Likely never right?

Most people have too many concerns and worries in the world themselves- they don’t have time to worry about someone else’s problems, because they have enough problems themselves.

For the past six weeks we’ve taken a pretty “deep dive” into the nuts and bolts of bankruptcy. This week, I’ll try to wrap this up with a look at the function of the bankruptcy discharge - the “finish line” for bankruptcy. Again, the lens through which I will look at this issue is the twin policy goals of bankruptcy - to treat creditors fairly and to allow debtors to live with dignity.

Sports fans have been anxiously waiting and the time is almost here: March Madness. As you gear up for a series of exciting games and limitless chicken wings, there’s one preparation that any dedicated basketball fan takes very seriously: picking a winning bracket.

Hundreds of your neighbors want to know the same thing, because medical bills are the leading cause of consumer bankruptcy in Minneapolis. For various reasons, these expenses have increased much faster than the cost of other goods and services, so the size of these bills catches many people off guard.

There are a lot of talking heads on tv and the radio who will tell you to try and avoid filing bankruptcy. I say nuts! I say you should err on the side of filing bankruptcy and getting your life back. Why? Look, we all want to pay our bills okay, so can we just take that off the table right now? If you could pay your bills, you wouldn’t be reading this blog! Am I right?

I am amazed at the number of Americans that don’t know the government actually has a government sponsored debt consolidation plan for you! It’s called a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and it is amazing! The number of benefits of being in a government sponsored debt consolidation plan cannot be understated.

Once you have made the decision to get your life back, by filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you want to know how long is this going to take to get your life back right? When people make up their minds to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, they are so excited to get their lives back they always want to know when? When do I get my life back, improve my credit profile, and live for the future!

Yes, I know, there are better words in the English dictionary than ‘bankruptcy”. But, not filing bankruptcy is even worse! Don’t believe me, let’s talk. My opinion has always been the same, Minneapolis, Minnesotan’s should err on the side of Minneapolis Bankruptcy. Debt consolidation sucks. Why? Well, there are numerous reasons why debt consolidation sucks, but here are three.

Filing Bankruptcy in St Cloud is about getting your life back sooner than later. Any delay in getting your life back means that your family is drowning in debt when there are life jackets back at the cabin that could have been used to save your life! We know how humbling the “b” word can be. We respect the courage and anxiety it takes for to reach out for help. There are 2 things that every St Cloud Minnesota Bankruptcy client must know.

If you’re one of the thousands of Minnesota residents who is considering filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, follow these simple tips to help you get the most out of your Minnesota bankruptcy.