A common question we hear from clients we meet with before tax season is if it is better to file bankruptcy before or after they file their tax return. Many times they have heard from someone that if they file bankruptcy the court will take their tax refunds. This is the biggest concern most people have about filing bankruptcy and taxes. The truth is that filing bankruptcy does not directly affect filing tax returns and you should not wait to file bankruptcy based on a fear of losing your tax refunds. The consequences of waiting to seek bankruptcy relief can be very serious. You could be risking your home and other assets by waiting to file bankruptcy.

Are you putting off filing bankruptcy because you believe that the process is too complicated, too time-consuming, or too expensive? If these beliefs are preventing you from receiving the debt relief you need, please let us help. Our experienced bankruptcy attorneys will explain the bankruptcy process and tell you what you need to file bankruptcy. When we finish your bankruptcy consultation, you will have a much better understanding why filing bankruptcy is not as complicated, time-consuming, or costly as you have read or heard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

In Minnesota, owning a cabin is the ultimate dream. You have likely saved up for many years to be able to buy one, but now a recent financial crisis (i.e. job loss, medical bills, divorce, etc.) has made it hard to keep up with all of your bills. You may be worried that if you file for bankruptcy you will need to sell or let go of your cabin that you worked so hard to buy. However, when you file bankruptcy, you do not lose all of you assets as many people believe. In most cases, debtors are able to keep their assets while eliminating their debts.