Minneapolis Bankruptcy Filing
Filing bankruptcy in Minneapolis
Once you decide that it is time to file bankruptcy in Minneapolis to eliminate your debt, you will need the experienced bankruptcy lawyers of Sugar Creek Legal Services. We help you understand filing requirements and how the bankruptcy process works. These are the steps for filing:
- Credit counseling briefing. This is your first step, regardless of whether you file for a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This briefing is given by a certified credit counseling agency, and it covers basic financial management, budget analysis, debt management strategies, and bankruptcy alternatives. Your bankruptcy petition can be dismissed if you fail to complete a certified credit counseling briefing.
- Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Minneapolis. After obtaining a certified credit counseling certificate, you must pass the “means test” to qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Then you must provide your bankruptcy lawyer with all information on assets, income, expenses, and debts. Your lawyer uses this information to prepare your Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, which is filed in a local bankruptcy court. Once it is filed, the court appoints a bankruptcy trustee who enters an order for an automatic stay, which stops all collection actions against you during your case. Three weeks after filing, you attend a meeting of creditors and testify as to the accuracy of the information in your bankruptcy petition. It is possible to receive a discharge—or freedom from payment—three months after filing.
- Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Minneapolis. After obtaining a certified credit counseling certificate, you must prepare your information in order to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You need to attend a meeting of creditors after filing bankruptcy in Minneapolis, and must develop a 3 to 5 year repayment plan that will enable you to catch up on past-due debts (pre-filing and mortgage delinquencies) while remaining current on your monthly payments. We can assist you.
- Debtor education course. You must complete this course before you can receive a discharge. This applies to filing a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This course enables you to plan for a healthy financial future.
Minneapolis bankruptcy litigation
When a debt has been discharged, you don't owe it anymore. If a creditor or collection agent violates your bankruptcy discharge order by trying to collect any discharged debt, you can seek damages and sanctions against that company. You can count on Sugar Creek Legal Services to assist you with this. We are experienced bankruptcy litigators who are there to help you.
