Getting behind on your mortgage payments is not uncommon, but when the amount of the arrears (the amount you owe from the missed payments) is substantial it can be hard to get caught back up with your mortgage payments. There are many reasons people get behind on their payments: temporary job loss, divorce, medical issues. And sometimes working with the mortgage company to make arrangements to repay the missed payments can be daunting and frustrating especially if the mortgage company has already started the foreclosure process.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases typically last three to four months and do not require that the debtor make any payments to their creditors. On the other hand, chapter 13 cases last three to five years and do require that the debtor make monthly payments to their creditors before receiving a discharge of their remaining debt once their case is finished.

As you may know, a chapter 13 bankruptcy is a reorganization bankruptcy where you establish a repayment plan that usually lasts 5 years. Typically, the repayment plan is based on a budget that is created by looking at your net income and then your expenses.  One of the many benefits of a chapter 13 bankruptcy is the availability to lower or “cram down” a debt from the current loan balance to the value of that debt.

During the three to five years of a chapter 13 bankruptcy your life will likely change. Whether it is because of finances, relationships, property, or your health. That is why chapter 13 bankruptcy plans can ebb and flow with you.

Both the Federal Bankruptcy Code and Minnesota State law contains a number of provisions that protect the funds in a debtor’s bank account, along with other property from being taken to pay creditors. Property protected, under law, from creditors is considered “exempt.” In a chapter 13 bankruptcy.

A chapter 13 bankruptcy is similar to a debt consolidation plan. All of your unsecured debt will receive a percentage of what is owed. Normally that percentage is not 100%, or in other words, paying back the debt in full, but instead paying a small portion of it. A common question I hear is, who comes up with what amount is paid back, the creditors, the trustee, a judge?

Chapter 13 payment plans can solve a lot of financial problems: mortgage arrears can be cured, expensive car loans can be restructured, and assets that would have to be surrendered to a chapter 7 trustee can be retained. This is accomplished through a chapter 13 plan where a debtor pays a specified amount of money to the chapter 13 trustee over a defined period of time.

One of the great features of Chapter 13 bankruptcy is that the monthly payment the debtor makes is based on the debtor’s budget. In theory, the Chapter 13 payment is always affordable for debtors. Unfortunately, because your circumstances may change, your Chapter 13 payments may become unaffordable. We can help.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are repayment plans that can be an effective tool to use to resolve financial problems in a variety of scenarios. Chapter 13 gives people a way to restructure their finances while being able to retain their home, their car, and other assets that would otherwise have to be turned over to creditors.

Maybe chapter 13 has been mentioned to you or maybe you googled it. You know that a chapter 13 is different than a chapter 7, but how does it really work?

One of the best reasons to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Minnesota is to help with tax debt. Typically, tax debt that you incurred in the last few years or from a late filed return is not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Most who file for bankruptcy want to file a Chapter 7. By filing Chapter 7, everything is said and done within three to six months and the slate is wiped clean. So when potential filers learn that they are only eligible to file a Chapter 13 or their attorney recommends a Chapter 13 over a Chapter 7, they panic. Three to five years in bankruptcy with monthly payments throughout the duration of that time? Why would someone file a Chapter 13 and drag the process out when Chapter 7 gets you out of debt faster with no payment plan?

Many of our clients find themselves filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy because they are out of options. And while bankruptcy is supposed to give you a fresh start, we understand that it often feels more like a defeat. Many clients worry if they will ever be able to qualify for a loan after their bankruptcy case. While you may have to pay a higher interest rate and meet other requirements, the good news is that getting financing after your Chapter 7 bankruptcy is easier than you might think. An experienced Minnesota bankruptcy attorney can help you develop a plan and identify your options.

Deciding to file for bankruptcy is a big step, especially if you own and operate a business. You need to get out from under your debts, some which were directly related to your business, while other debts were strictly personal. Business owners worry about how the bankruptcy will affect their business, with good reason - the idea of closing down your business and the loss of income can be quite worrisome. The good news is that the point of bankruptcy is to help you make a fresh start, not make your life more difficult.

Your home is probably your most important asset and its value goes beyond just dollars and cents. The first question many of our clients ask us is whether the bankruptcy court will force them to sell or otherwise surrender their home. While this is a very real possibility, we do everything in our power to help you keep your home. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often the best way to get out from under your creditors and keep your home. That said, you will probably need a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney to help you successfully navigate the process.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often a good choice for people who want to keep their home or other significant assets. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you repay your debts through a payment plan that is administered by a bankruptcy trustee and that is overseen by the bankruptcy court. Your Chapter 13 payment plan can take up to five years. On the one hand, five years helps you repay your debts in reasonable and affordable monthly payments. On the other hand, five years is a long time and can be intimidating for a lot of people.

In 1978, Congress enacted the United States Bankruptcy Code, allowing consumers to file for bankruptcy protection. Since that time, millions of Americans have filed for bankruptcy, all across the country and across all walks of life. Despite how common filing a bankruptcy case has become, many people don’t really understand what bankruptcy is, how it works, or what it can achieve. The following is some brief information about bankruptcy laws. To discuss your specific circumstances, call our Minnesota bankruptcy attorneys today.