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The Role of Mechanic’s Liens in the Event of Bankruptcy in Mankato, MN

When you work with a lender to enter into a property loan agreement, you will most likely have a voluntary lien built into that contract. Property liens are effective methods for lenders to secure the loan value they give you in case of bankruptcy or other inability to repay. All liens act to protect the lender, but they can take many different forms in addition to the common car lien or mortgage lien. If you are struggling to meet debt payments on a lien regarding secured debt and you choose to file for bankruptcy in Mankato, MN, Behm Law Group, Ltd. offers the legal advice and professional counsel to help you build a strong case and understand how your lien-secured property and debts will be handled.

 

While the common types of liens often deal with homes, cars, and other properties most individuals and businesses own, there are specialty liens that come into play for specific situations. One the more unusual liens you may encounter is a Mechanic’s Lien.

 

How it Works

Like other liens, a Mechanic’s Lien protects the lender if a borrower can’t repay the loan. These liens are sometimes called construction liens because they come into play for contractors and construction crews as well as mechanics, suppliers, designers, and professional builders. A Mechanic’s Lien is a legal document that gives a mechanic or other specified professional who signs and files the lien the right to collect payment. If you hire a contractor to remodel your kitchen, for example, that contractor is allowed to do several things if you refuse payment for services. First, they are allowed to file a lawsuit against you for the amount owed, and second, they can contribute to forcing you into bankruptcy if you have other creditors you’ve also refused or been unable to pay. Whatever action they take, they will have to file a Mechanic’s Lien to be guaranteed repayment.  They are secured as to the asset that they perform services on.  For instance, if a roofer installs a new roof on your house, the roofer could obtain a mechanic’s lien against your house as security for repayment.

 

How it Works in Bankruptcy

 

If you file for bankruptcy, voluntarily or otherwise, the creditors involved in your case that hold a lien over your property—a Mechanic’s Lien, or any other type of lien—are considered secured creditors. This means they will come first in line (along with priority creditors, such as tax debts and child support or alimony debts) for repayment in the event your assets are liquidated, or you propose a repayment plan. In a Chapter 7 case, secured creditors receive the value gained from liquidating your assets that serve as their collateral before any other creditors, and in a Chapter 13 case, secured creditors are either repaid the value of their collateral securing the amount you owe or you must surrender that collateral.

 

Whether you file for Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 13 reorganization, your secured creditors will receive the highest payment priority in your case, including those who file for a Mechanic’s Lien. To learn more about liens and the role they play when you file for bankruptcy in Mankato, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. today.

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How Predatory Lending Can Force You to File for Bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN

When it comes to navigating loans, it can take a frustrating amount of information and savvy to negotiate the process from start to finish. Whether you need support to buy a car, pay medical bills, finance your business, or for any other purpose, finding the right lender is the most important step. Unfortunately, there are lenders out there who take advantage of their ability to loan money. They ruthlessly drive borrowers out of income, compromise property ownership, and even force debtors to file for bankruptcy.

Predatory lenders are a continuing problem in the U.S., but there are those out there who want to hold these vicious creditors accountable. Behm Law Group, Ltd. is dedicated to providing counsel to those considering filing for bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN, and protection from predatory lenders.

As a graduate of Max Gardner’s Bankruptcy Boot Camp, Stephen Behm is committed to fighting predatory lenders and holding them accountable in defense of his clients. If you’re facing an aggressive creditor practicing the following common predatory practices, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help protect you throughout your bankruptcy case.

 

Predatory Lender Practices

  1. Misrepresentation: Limited disclosure (or even false disclosure) of the terms of a loan including costs, time frames, risks, and any other fine print obligations is an immediate red flag of predatory lending.
  2. Inflation: Increasing the cost of loan documents, closing charges, and preparation fees is also a frequent practice of disreputable lenders. Adding in the cost of additional components like credit insurance can also mark an untrustworthy lender.
  3. Refinancing: Lenders that offer refinance loans based on home equity or offer refinancing on existing loans often push debtors to borrow more than they can pay off and impose higher interest rates and hidden fees. Additionally, refinanced mortgages from predatory lenders commonly impose balloon payments that are lower at first and quickly rise.
  4. Neighborhood targeting: Predatory lenders often target low-income neighborhoods, offering loans with higher interest rates for every debtor without regard to those individual debtors’ credit history, income, or otherwise ability to meet payments.

All these practices, including several other victimizing actions a creditor may impose on a debtor, characterize a predatory lender. Debtors that have fallen into the trap of a predatory loan can quickly find themselves in over their heads with financial difficulties. These practices contribute to a large number of bankruptcy cases in the U.S., most of which are filed under Chapter 7. If you’re struggling with the effects of predatory lending and are unable to meet monthly debt payments, filing for bankruptcy might be the right choice for you.

If you choose to work with Behm Law Group, Ltd. to file your bankruptcy case and halt creditor action, you can trust our attorneys to fight predatory lenders. Contact us today at (507) 387-7200 to learn more about filing for bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN.

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Benefiting from Bankruptcy in Windom, MN, and Recovering Your Credit After Filing

Bankruptcy in the U.S. is a system designed to pull individuals and businesses out of severe debt while resolving those debts with creditors as best as possible. In this way bankruptcy is a highly effective process for recovering from severely crippling debt and getting a fresh start financially. However, filing for bankruptcy does have its side effects despite the many advantages it provides. If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy in Windom, MN, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help you prepare a strong case, successfully petition for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and fully understand the results that bankruptcy brings.

 

When you choose to partner with Behm Law Group, Ltd. for your bankruptcy case, you’re choosing highly-skilled, experienced professionals who understand your need for guidance and counsel before, during, and after you file. While bankruptcy offers a viable way to work through financial difficulties, there are some negative consequences as well, and we want our clients to be aware of all the effects a bankruptcy filing can have.

 

The primary problem those who file for bankruptcy face after their case is completed is the effect it has on their credit. There’s often a certain amount of damage to your credit when you file, and although you emerge from bankruptcy relieved from debt, it may take a while to rebuild your credit.

 

Recovering your credit after you file may seem like a daunting task, but the truth is it’s entirely possible for everyone who files for bankruptcy to fix their score over time. With the advice of our attorneys you can regain control over your credit and finances even after we work with you through a bankruptcy. Rebuilding your credit simply takes time and responsible practices including:

  1. Make all your payments on time and keep clear communication with your creditors if you’re unable to meet a payment. Most lenders are understanding of extenuating circumstances and are willing to make exceptions.
  2. Keep your accounts open despite the impulse to close them all at once. Instead, work on slowly closing the accounts you no longer want over an extended period of time.
  3. Check your credit often and keep an eye out for errors you may be able to dispute.
  4. Create and follow a budget with a savings plan integrated into your monthly income and spending patterns. Our attorneys can help you build a post- bankruptcy budget that’s effective, reasonable, and long-term.
  5. Hang on to all of your bankruptcy paperwork and keep it filed in an organized, logical place. You may need this paperwork down the road for loans or mortgage applications.

 

Above all, it’s important to remind yourself that your credit will improve over time. To learn more about filing for bankruptcy in Windom, MN, and what to do after you file, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.

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First Three Critical Steps in Filing for Bankruptcy in Redwood Falls, MN

Life is full of unexpected events. When it comes to debt and financial difficulties, it’s best to deal with those life events head on. You may have accumulated debts over the years or be struggling with sudden expenses, but whatever the reasons leading up to severe debt, you don’t have to face it alone. Getting rid of debt and finding a fresh start is always a possibility through filing for bankruptcy. With the expert support and advice of Behm Law Group, Ltd. attorneys, you can file a successful petition for bankruptcy in Redwood Falls, MN.

 

When the ball gets rolling in a bankruptcy case, things are quickly resolved. If you file for Chapter 7, your debts will be discharged and non-exempt assets liquidated. If you file for Chapter 13, your adjusted repayment plan will begin, and you can start making regular payments to a chapter 13 trustee fairly quickly. However, before you can reach that point in your bankruptcy case, you must perform a few crucial primary steps.

 

Filing for Bankruptcy- Starting Gates

 

  1. Gather your financial information: To put together a bankruptcy petition for either Chapter 13 or Chapter 7, you have to gather a comprehensive inventory of financial documents. This includes filling out the necessary bankruptcy forms, listing all debts, providing income information, listing your assets and properties, and describing your monthly expenses for household needs. Behm attorneys will provide you with direction on how to put together this information to begin the bankruptcy process.
  2. Attend credit counseling: Even if you’ve completed the first step and gathered all the necessary information, you’ll still be required to complete an online credit counseling course in order to file a bankruptcy petition. You must work with a United States Trustee-approved credit counseling agency and complete the credit counseling course within 180 days of the filing of your bankruptcy petition. Behm Law Group, Ltd. can provide direction to quality, affordable online credit counseling in your area.
  3. Attend your 341 hearing: The last step to getting your case completed and obtaining debt relief is to attend your meeting of creditors (341 hearing). This meeting occurs after you have finished your filing for bankruptcy. This is not a court hearing per se where you appear before a bankruptcy judge. Rather, it is an administrative hearing where you appear before a bankruptcy trustee.  The bankruptcy trustee is a court-appointed attorney assigned to monitor, supervise and review your bankruptcy case.  You must personally attend the 341 hearing and your creditors have a right to attend if they like.  It is up to the bankruptcy trustee to review your bankruptcy paperwork and ask you questions at the 341 hearing – questions you must answer under oath and subject to penalty of perjury – to ensure that your paperwork is accurate. Part of the purpose of the 341 hearing is to ensure you’re apprised of the consequences and seriousness of filing for bankruptcy and to discuss debt reaffirmation with your attorney. During this meeting, the trustee will also make sure you’re not abusing the process of bankruptcy.

 

After these steps are completed, the next part of filing for bankruptcy —which varies depending on the chapter you file for— is getting a discharge order from the bankruptcy court which discharges the vast majority of your debts.

 

To learn more about filing for bankruptcy in Redwood Falls, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.

 

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Most Recent Legal Changes that Affect How You File for Bankruptcy in Waseca, MN

Over the past 50 years, bankruptcy law has seen changes that have affected how individual consumer and business cases are handled today. The most recent overhaul in bankruptcy law came in 2005 when the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) was enacted to prevent the possibility of filers taking advantage of the system and to protect creditors involved. The BAPCPA played a significant role in shaping what we know as the current bankruptcy process.

While large changes like the 2005 bankruptcy act don’t happen frequently, there are little changes that come every few years that affect the way the court may approach a case and the way individuals and businesses can file. If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy in Waseca, MN, Behm Law Group, Ltd. offers the guidance and legal support you need to navigate the nuanced court system.

Some of the most recent changes to bankruptcy law were put into effect on the first of December in 2017. These alterations are minor in the overall framework of bankruptcy law, but they may still affect how your case is handled from start to finish.

  1. Chapter 13 Repayment: One change to bankruptcy law was made to the structure of how you file a Chapter 13 repayment plan. This change dictates that filers must use federal forms for a repayment plan, or local forms that comply with the amended federal rules (Rule 3015). This provides greater efficiency for creditors to review the proposed plan and streamlines how the court organizes your case information.
  2. Time Restrictions: Deadlines for plan objections and case confirmation hearings have changed in regard to Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The court now requires a notice within 21 days to object to a Chapter 13 plan confirmation (for creditors). An objection cannot be filed later than seven days before the confirmation hearing unless the court allows for an extension.
  3. Claim Amounts: While the amounts of secured and priority loan claims may not have altered overall, the way the court determines the amounts of those loans has. The court can now decide the claim amount even after it has been filed with motions and/or objections. That determination is binding for a secured claim holder even with a contrasting proof of claim. This alteration forces creditors to examine the proposed Chapter 13 plan of the debtor before agreeing.
  4. Proof of Claim: Under the 2017 amendments, your creditors must prove their claim of debt to be repaid in any type of bankruptcy. This includes filing the necessary documents for proof of claim within 70 days of your bankruptcy filing date. These claims must also include attachments that prove loan ownership including mortgage deeds, car titles, and other paperwork proving your responsibility to pay a secured loan.

These minor details may not be the most exciting part of a bankruptcy process, but they are important to understand in order to file your case without error. Contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 to learn more about filing for bankruptcy in Waseca, MN.

 

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Acquiring Business Credit During Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN

If you own a business and are struggling to meet payments on anything ranging from rent to utilities, you may benefit from taking advantage of the government-regulated system of bankruptcy. While it might seem like a big step to take, bankruptcy is designed to help businesses of all sizes into a full financial recovery. In fact, if you file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your debts will be restructured into a manageable repayment plan for your business.

Not only is it possible to protect your business and the property involved when you choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to continue expanding your business during the bankruptcy period. With the help of our attorneys at Behm Law Group, Ltd., you can keep your business afloat while you file for bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN.

 Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy works to restructure your debts as a whole into a new repayment plan spanning a period of three to five years. Within this repayment plan your secured debts and priority debts must be repaid in full, but your unsecured debts will be restructured into the plan with only partial repayment required ranging from 0% to 100%.

 

Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization process available to both consumers and businesses, and while Chapter 11 is a similar reorganization process businesses can utilize, it is designed for very large businesses and is often impractical for individual consumers.  There are often greater benefits and more opportunities for full, long-lasting recovery when you choose Chapter 13 over 11.

 

One reason your business may thrive even through a repayment plan in Chapter 13 bankruptcy is because it’s possible to gain business credit, allowing for overall growth in your company.

 

Business Credit

 

Because even the most efficient businesses still incur debts through normal operations, especially when all disposable income in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan is used to repay unsecured creditors, you’re allowed to gain ordinary credit without needing approval from your trustee or authorization from the court. For example, if you own a bakery and need to buy a large inventory order of sugar and flour, you don’t need court approval to do so if you can pay for that shipment within 30-60 days.

 

However, if you gain credit outside the terms of ordinary business operations, you’ll need to receive court approval before making a purchase that’ll put your business in debt. In the example of the bakery, you’ll need court approval if you have to purchase a large appliance or vehicle necessary for normal business operations. To prove you can repay that item without it affecting your repayment plan, you have to:

  1. File a motion to authorize the purchase
  2. Explain to your trustee, creditors, and the court why that item is needed
  3. Demonstrate you can afford the item and still make payments on your plan

 

Gaining business credit during your repayment plan is an option that Chapter 13 bankruptcy often provides within reason and choosing this form of reorganization bankruptcy can allow your business to grow even through difficult times. To learn more about filing for a business bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.

 

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Successfully Getting Credit During Repayment of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Mankato, MN

 

Bankruptcy is often viewed as a last option for those with extreme debt and low income, but there’s more than one kind of bankruptcy available to individuals and businesses. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the type of bankruptcy that fits the description that’s most often associated with being bankrupt due to the liquidation of the filer’s non-exempt assets. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, on the other hand, is a completely different process that works to reorganize a filer’s debts. If you’re struggling to meet debt payments but don’t want to possibly sacrifice non-exempt assets in a liquidation process, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can provide the legal support you need to file a strong case for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Mankato, MN.

 

If your income to debt ratio is higher than the Minnesota median income for a household of your size, you cannot qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Even if your income is low enough to pass the Means Test, you may still choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and keep your estate intact. In this case, you’ll work with an attorney and trustee to draft a repayment plan that is suited to your situation.

 

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment plan is a highly effective way for those struggling with debt to sort through their finances under the guidelines of a three to five-year bankruptcy period. Despite the many benefits of a repayment plan, however, the period it fills is a long time. During that three to five-year period, you might experience several life changes including anything from a new job to moving into a new home. Your repayment plan could be altered to accommodate those life changes, but there are occasions where you need to operate outside of your bankruptcy plan. One common example of this is when the filer is in need of getting a loan.

 

There are few reasons an individual working through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment plan may need to seek a loan, and because of your overall financial history, your trustee may or may not approve any loans you try to obtain. However, there are times when you need a little boost, whether you’re starting a business that’ll gain more revenue in the long-term or if you have a real emergency.

 

Gaining credit during your repayment plan period depends on several factors:

 

  1. Whether you receive the required court authorization and trustee approval.
  2. The type of credit you’re attempting to obtain (consumer or business).
  3. How a new loan will alter your repayment plan.

 

Generally, you may be granted permission to obtain a loan based on household emergencies. Home repairs, medical emergencies, vehicle repairs, or disaster recovery are some primary examples.

 

If you’re working through a repayment plan or considering filing for bankruptcy in Mankato, MN, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help. To learn more about the legal support and advice our attorneys offer, contact us at (507) 387-7200 today.

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Limits on Handling Medical Debt with Bankruptcy in Worthington, MN

With medical insurance getting more expensive each year and procedures becoming more technically-advanced with new equipment and medicines, individuals can easily accumulate overwhelming medical debt very quickly. While studies may debate whether severe medical debt is directly causing an increase in U.S. bankruptcies, the fact remains that it’s often a correlating problem most filers experience. Because the bankruptcy process is structured to discharge or reorganize medical debts, it’s a viable option for those who can’t pay their medical bills. With the help of Behm Law Group, Ltd., you can recover from medical debt and successfully file for bankruptcy in Worthington, MN.

Medical debt can happen gradually as chronic treatments rack up bills or all at once if an unexpected medical emergency occurs. No matter the circumstances leading up to unmanageable medical debt, those debts are treated the same in bankruptcy cases. All your medical bills are considered to be unsecured nonpriority debts in your case. To put this in perspective, your credit card debts are categorized as unsecured nonpriority debts as well.

How your unsecured nonpriority debts are handled depends on the type of bankruptcy you file for.

Chapter 13 works to reorganize debts that aren’t exempt from the bankruptcy process into a new repayment plan. Secured debts are repaid in full along with select priority debts, but your unsecured debts—like the medical bills you owe—are often only partially repaid if they’re required to be repaid at all.

Chapter 7 works to liquidate your assets to repay your creditors in return for the discharge of most debts. This discharge includes your unsecured debts and allows immediate full relief from medical bills.

Limitations on Discharges

Relief from medical bills is guaranteed if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy by passing the Means Test. All your unsecured debts will be dissolved in return for major liquidation of your assets. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are some limitations on the relief you can receive for your medical bills. Because your medical debt is lumped into one category with all your other unsecured nonpriority debts, they’re all subject to the same limitation. This limit manifests as a cap on the amount you can include in your repayment plan. Currently, you may file for Chapter 13 if you have under $394,725 in unsecured debts. This amount will change in April of 2019 to meet standards of income and overall economic adjustments, but for now, you can resolve all your debts in a new repayment plan if you meet this and other Chapter 13 requirements.

 There may be some limits to the possibility of recovering from severe medical debt by filing for bankruptcy, but the majority of cases are highly effective in providing a solution for those struggling with hospital bills and more. For more information about filing for bankruptcy in Worthington, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.

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When the Automatic Stay Doesn’t Apply and Navigating Through It With a Bankruptcy Attorney in Marshall, MN

When you file a petition for bankruptcy, your case will immediately see the effects of an automatic stay. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy or choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can benefit from the court-ordered halt to creditor action that takes the form of an automatic stay. The power of an automatic stay can provide a wide range of advantages to the filer in addition to its ability to prevent creditor harassment and further missed debt payments. Halting wage garnishments, evictions, foreclosures, and more are possible under the restrictions of an automatic stay. With the help of a Behm Law Group, Ltd. bankruptcy attorney in Marshall, MN, you can successfully navigate the rest of your case.

While the benefits that an automatic stay provides are numerous, there are some circumstances where it doesn’t apply. Primarily, you cannot receive the full benefits of an automatic stay if you’ve filed for bankruptcy more than once within a year.

  1. Limited Automatic Stay Period: If you’ve filed for bankruptcy once before in the same year, you will have an automatic stay period limited to 30 days the second time you file. This is because the court will assume your second case is filed in bad faith and may be dismissed. With the help of Behm attorneys, you may be able to prove your good faith to the court and receive the full automatic stay period for the creditors you need to prevent from collecting.
  2. No Automatic Stay Applied: You will not be granted any automatic stay period if you have already filed twice or more in a year and then file again. With three or more bankruptcies, the court still presumes that you’re filing in bad faith and will not provide a stay to halt any of your creditors. Again, you can work with our attorneys to prove your case is not in bad faith with accurate and plausible evidence.

If you have the evidence to prove your bankruptcy case is filed in good faith, our attorneys will work to draft your motion for requesting that your automatic stay be granted in full. You may not be granted the stay if your previous case was dismissed because you failed to file certain documents or if your financial situation has not changed since the last time you filed. Additionally, if you’ve filed for bankruptcy within the year and now choose to file jointly with a spouse, the restrictions on an automatic stay apply only to you.

If you aren’t granted an automatic stay in your bankruptcy case, your best means to successfully file for bankruptcy is with the help of a professional attorney. Without the stay, creditors can continue to collect debt payments and may even attempt to take action against your property. To get the help and support you need when you file for bankruptcy, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 and get started today with an expert bankruptcy attorney in Marshall, MN.

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Understanding a Hardship Discharge with Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Luverne, MN

When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your debts will be restructured into a three to five-year repayment plan that fits your income and financial situation. For those with incomes too high to pass the Means Test or who wish to hold on to most of their nonexempt properties, Chapter 13 is a highly effective way to resolve debts and get a fresh financial start. Organizing your documents, files, forms, and information into a structured repayment plan proposal that the court will accept is a difficult task to manage without the help of a trained bankruptcy professional. Behm Law Group, Ltd. offers the legal support and assistance you need to file a strong case for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Luverne, MN.

After you propose a Chapter 13 repayment plan that’s accepted by the court, the bankruptcy trustee administering your case will collect monthly payments that may vary based on the disposable income information you provide. The amount you’ll be required to repay in your plan depends on your creditors and your disposable income. For example, you must fully repay your priority unsecured creditors, such as certain tax debts, child support debts, alimony and court fines, while your unsecured creditors only need to be paid much less as determined by several factors. Changes may be made to your plan depending on other claims, income, and financial gains or losses. To prevent your case from being dismissed within your three to five-year repayment period, continued communication with your attorney and the bankruptcy trustee is key.

You may also find yourself facing unforeseen circumstances that make it impossible for you to complete your Chapter 13 repayment plan.

If you find yourself in these circumstances, you may be eligible for the Hardship Discharge. This discharge works similarly to a discharge granted in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.  You will no longer have to make a plan payment.  Like in a Chapter 7 case, certain debts, including unsecured debts like medical bills, credit card debts, and more, are discharged. However, priority debts like tax debts, child support debts and alimony are not subject to the Hardship Discharge.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Hardship Discharge, you have to prove your conditions render you unable to continue with your repayment plan. If you’ve failed to meet repayment requirements for more than a month due to burdens that are out of your control (“for which you should not justly be held accountable”), you have the chance to make your case for a hardship discharge. You improve your chances of the court granting you a Hardship Discharge if you can prove your circumstances are permanent (physical disability, for example) and if you’ve already repaid to your unsecured creditors what they would have received if you’d filed for Chapter 7.

For more information about the Hardship Discharge and filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Luverne, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at