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There are many debts that can be discharged through a bankruptcy case. Most commonly for individual consumers, credit card debt, medical bills, mortgages, old utility bills, bounced checks, and car loans, and others can be discharged. However, there are debts that are considered priority debts, and these are generally not subject to debt relief in the bankruptcy process.

Debt Relief

Child support, alimony, most tax debts, personal injury claims caused by intoxication, criminal fines and penalties and several other debts are priority debts that are generally not subject to discharge in a bankruptcy case. While student loans are not priority debts, until very recently, the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) made it very difficult to discharge student loans through bankruptcy. In 2019, a new bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that, if passed, may make it much easier to discharge student loan debts in bankruptcy. This bill, the Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act (SBBRA) would remove the 2005 BAPCPA restrictions. Until then, receiving debt relief in Marshall, MN for student loans will be difficult. If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help you work through all debts that could be discharged in your case.

Undue Hardship

Until the SBBRA passes, bankruptcy filers will only be able to discharge their federal student loan debts in their bankruptcy case if they are able to prove “undue hardship.” This requires you to actually sue the student loan lender by filing an adversary proceeding in which you request the court to discharge the student loans on the basis of undue hardship .  It is your burden to prove or demonstrate factors substantiating undue hardship to the bankruptcy court.

Threshold for  Undue Hardship

In Minnesota, the threshold to prove undue hardship  is more favorable/lenient than in other parts of the country.  The bankruptcy court may review the totality of your financial circumstances to determine if it would be an undue hardship for you to pay the student loans.  To demonstrate undue hardship and possibly have your federal student loan debts discharged in your bankruptcy case, you may need to demonstrate, among other things, the following:

• You have participated in an income contingent repayment program or other repayment options presented to you by the student loan lender but those options have not been successful.
• You have reached the top of your earning potential in the job market in your area and there is little possibility for you to increase your income either in your current job or by changing your employment.
• You’ve made good faith efforts to repay the student loan prior to filing for bankruptcy.
• You are older and close to retirement and there is no realistic chance that you could fully repay the student loan before you reach retirement age.
• Retaining the student loan debt would make it extremely difficult for you to pay your reasonable and necessary monthly living expenses.
• You have some physical or mental impairment that negatively impacts your ability to remain employed or find alternate employment that would provide you with an increased income.

If the court finds evidence that all these conditions are present, it may allow you to include your federal student loans for discharge in your case. If they are included for discharge in an individual consumer case, they could be handled as follows:

• They may be discharged in full. This is most likely when undue hardship is demonstrated in a Chapter 7 liquidation case.
• They may be discharged partially. You would still be required to repay the part of your student loans that are not discharged.
• They may not be discharged at all.  However, they may be restructured under  lower interest rates and other more lenient terms. This outcome is most likely when undue hardship is demonstrated in a Chapter 13 reorganization case.

Adversary Proceedings

In any adversary proceeding you file to prove undue hardship your creditors will have a chance to fight the case. If you plan to attempt to prove undue hardship for federal student loan debt relief, it’s crucial to have the protection of a highly experienced bankruptcy attorney.

To learn more about finding debt relief in Marshall, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. today at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

The U.S. economy fluctuates in response to various political, social, financial, and environmental effects. After World War II, for example, the economy thrived largely due to the Allies’ victory over the Axis powers and because the continental United States was never invaded or occupied. Today, we’re seeing the effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic on the economy. With hundreds of businesses forced to close during the shutdowns of the early pandemic and with many left without work, the U.S. unemployment rate rose 2.8% from January 2020 to January 2021. If you’re among those struggling to meet debts with a low income, you’re not alone. For those facing unmanageable debts, filing for bankruptcy is often the best solution during times of economic downturn. With Behm Law Group Ltd. attorneys, you can build a strong case for bankruptcy in New Ulm, MN, and the local regions.

We often work with individuals filing bankruptcy cases to either liquidate their non-exempt assets in exchange for debt discharge through Chapter 7 or to reorganize their debts into a manageable partial repayment plan through Chapter 13. However, we also have worked with many small sole proprietorship businesses that are able to file for Chapter 13 or want to file for Chapter 7 and close their business operations entirely.

Today, for either individuals or businesses, filing for bankruptcy may be the best way to grow and heal the U.S. economy at the municipal, state, and national levels. Stimulus packages have helped many businesses and households stay afloat during some of the most difficult times in the last year, but those packages and federal loans are not enough to stabilize things and prevent what could be an all-out long-lasting depression.

Throughout much of America’s history, failed small businesses were liquidated. While this may appear more logical than having the government and the American taxpayer pour billions of dollars to keep many struggling companies afloat, the fact is that allowing more bankruptcies during times of economic crisis has shown, on multiple occasions, to help the national financial system recover more quickly and avoid even more dire conditions.

The majority of U.S. businesses are not owned as sole proprietorships, which means that Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy is an available option that will prevent the company from having its assets liquidated. By allowing the reorganization of business debts through Chapter 11, companies maintain their operations.  They continue to participate in trading goods and services and they continue to buy from other markets and pay their workers. Allowing more businesses to have access to bankruptcy will support the economy in this way rather than eliminating them as participants in the national economic system.

Additionally, allowing more people access to Chapter 13 bankruptcy means more creditors will be repaid at least part of what they are owed.  It also means that individuals will still be allowed to use their discretionary income to act as consumers and participate more actively in the national economy.

If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy in New Ulm, MN, you may be able to play a role in supporting a faster recovery of the national economy. Contact Behm Law Group Ltd. by calling (507) 387-7200 or emailing stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com to learn more.

 

 

Filing for bankruptcy is a big life decision. It has the power to permanently resolve debts and provide lasting financial stability, but can come with some risks if your circumstances aren’t ideal for the bankruptcy process and you aren’t completely forthcoming with your bankruptcy lawyer. When it comes to large financial choices like filing for bankruptcy, people tend to look at the big picture. Most of the time, this includes questions about what will happen to retirement plans and how contributions can continue. The answers to these questions can vary from case to case, but for the most part, filing for bankruptcy won’t impact retirement funds negatively. With the guidance and support of a Behm Law Group, Ltd. attorney you can file a strong and successful case for bankruptcy in Redwood Falls, MN and the surrounding areas.

 

Bankruptcy can be a complex and nuanced legal process. The various chapters handle debts and incomes differently, and debts themselves are handled based on whether they are priority, secured, or unsecured debts. Retirement funds can be sources of income in the bankruptcy process, depending on what kind of retirement funds you have.

 

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are discharged in exchange for the liquidation of your non-exempt assets. While some of your non-exempt assets may be liquidated, you can protect most of your property with the bankruptcy exemptions provided under either the bankruptcy code or Minnesota state law. Exemptions like the Homestead Exemption and the Vehicle Exemption will allow you to protect the equity or value in your house and your car depending on how much debt you owe against them. Learn more about Chapter 7 exemptions.  Generally speaking, the bankruptcy exemptions are very generous and, in most cases, all someone loses is debt.

 

Although your retirement fund is considered an asset, many may not even be considered as part of your bankruptcy estate. 401(k)s, 403(b)s, Keoghs, and many other retirement plans are fully exempt from bankruptcy liquidation. Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs are also not subject to liquidation, but they have an exemption limitation up to $1,362,800 per person. This amount is adjusted as cost-of-living changes. The most recent adjustment was in 2019 and the next is projected for 2022.

 

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your debts are reorganized into a manageable three- to five-year repayment plan. During that time, all your disposable income – income that is not needed to cover your reasonable and necessary living expenses – must go to repaying your creditors. However, as long as you have had a history of making contributions to your retirement account, you will still be allowed to do so in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.  Learn more about disposable income. In fact, in some cases you will be allowed to make larger contributions to your retirement account if you are close to retirement age.

 

Overall, your retirement plan will not be affected negatively by a bankruptcy, but you may have to adjust your contributions for a three- to five-year period if you file for Chapter 13, depending on your age and how close you are to retiring. To learn more about filing for bankruptcy in Redwood Falls, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. today at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

The year 2020 was a blockbuster one for disaster, with a global pandemic and a contentious U.S. presidential election, respectively, as the opening and closing credits. For many Americans, the biggest impact was the financial changes they had to face due to COVID-19’s effect on the U.S. economy. Despite the small boost the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided in early 2020 and the short span of federally increased unemployment checks, many households are still struggling to make ends meet due to coronavirus-related circumstances. If you’re among the thousands who are finding it impossible to make financial ends meet, bankruptcy is still available to debtors even in times when some courts may be closed for in-person cases. Those considering filing for bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN, and the surrounding areas can find guidance and protection from Behm Law Group Ltd. attorneys.

 

As we move into 2021, we can look back and see how the pandemic and government actions to support citizens impacted bankruptcy statistics. We can also predict how cases may increase or decrease depending on how stimulus bills and other support systems are enacted this year.

 

Some Basic 2020 Statistics*

*Cited from a GlobeNewswire report published January 21, 2021.

 

1. The total number of 2020 bankruptcies cases across all chapters was 529,068. This is the lowest case rate in the United States since 1986.
2. Chapter 11 business bankruptcy cases reached 7,128—a 29% increase from 2019.
3. Chapter 13 individual consumer cases reached 147,144—a 46% decrease from 2019.
4. Chapter 7 individual consumer cases reached 348,42—a 22% decrease from 2019.
5. The 2020 CARES act released in March totaled $2.2 trillion, sending $1,200 per adult and $500 per child to households making under $75,000 a year.
6. The second 2020 stimulus act released in December totaled $900 billion, sending $600 per person in households making under $75,000 a year.
7. In 2021, the U.S. Congress may approve President Joe Biden’s proposed stimulus act totaling $1.9 trillion, sending an additional $1,400 per person in households making under $75,000 a year.

 

The balance between government-issued stimulus checks and increased unemployment benefits most likely played a role in helping people facing daunting financial circumstances. For many U.S. citizens struggling with debts, the stimulus checks gave temporary stability during difficult times. That stability may continue through some of 2021 if more stimulus support is provided through Biden’s proposed plan. However, if the current situation continues the way it is and the coronavirus dangers aren’t relieved, the economy will have a hard time recovering back to pre-COVID conditions. This may mean an increase in bankruptcy cases this year.

 

The distribution of vaccines to prevent coronavirus and time will be major factors in considering our country’s future economic health. If you’re struggling now, it could be the best time to file for bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN, and the surrounding communities. To learn more about the process, call Behm Law Group Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 or email stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

 

 

This is the third and final part of a blog series covering frequently asked questions regarding utility bills and bankruptcy. Because the coldest months of the year are just beginning, it’s important to keep gas, water, and other utilities running to protect your household or business from frozen pipes and interrupted hot water sources.

When you’re unable to pay monthly utility bills, you risk service shut off when debts accumulate. Filing for bankruptcy relief can stop service shut offs and discharge utility debts permanently. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help you through the process and find effective, permanent debt relief in Owatonna, MN and the surrounding area.

These are a few more of the most commonly asked questions about utility bills in bankruptcy.

Is my cable considered a utility? How can I stop it from possibly being shut off?

While cable television is not technically a utility, it’s still a service that will be shut off when you default on your monthly bill payments. Fortunately, cable bill debts can also be included in your bankruptcy and can be permanently discharged. If you list your cable debt amount, the automatic stay injunctive provisions of 11 U.S.C. §362 will apply to your cable provider and to all of your other utility providers, and your cable television debt will be discharged with all of your other unsecured utility debts.

My provider is asking for a large security deposit to reconnect my service. Can the bankruptcy court help me pay it?

One form of adequate assurance (see part two to learn about adequate assurance) your utility provider might require from you in order to continue service is a security deposit amount that is too much for you to pay. If you filed for bankruptcy protection, the bankruptcy court will be able to help. When you cannot come to an agreement with your utility creditor about the security deposit amount, you can request the bankruptcy court to reduce the security deposit to an amount that you can afford to pay.

I’ve paid my bills on time for a year now. Can I get my security deposit back?

If you filed for bankruptcy relief, provided a security deposit as an assurance, and then paid your bills on time for the twelve-month period after your bankruptcy was concluded, you may be eligible for the return of the security deposit. Reach out to your utility provider for more information about the possible return of your security deposit and how that process might work.

To learn more about the treatment of utility debts, unsecured or secured debts, and the process of obtaining permanent debt relief by filing bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. today at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

As the only law firm practicing exclusively in bankruptcy in southern Minnesota, we’ve worked with many clients over the years at Behm Law Group, Ltd. Each of these clients had different financial circumstances, but they were all after the same goal of permanent debt relief and financial stability for themselves and their families. There are several types of debt that can be readily discharged in bankruptcy. However, the discharge of student loan debt is difficult. While student loan debt is largely excepted from discharge in the process, unless one can sue the student loan lender and show “undue hardship”, a new bill introduced in the United States House of Representatives may be a sign of changes in how student loan debts are treated in bankruptcy. If this new bill were to pass in the United States Senate and be signed into law by the President, filing for bankruptcy relief in Waseca, MN, and the surrounding communities may be a beneficial option to households with student loan debt.

In May 2019, the Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act (SBBRA) was introduced in the United States House of Representatives. The SBBRA is “a bill to provide relief for student borrowers.” Essentially, this bill would remove restrictions from the bankruptcy code that have made it much more difficult to discharge student loans.

The current bankruptcy code requires filers to prove “undue hardship” in order to qualify for the discharge of student loans. Since the passage of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) amendments to the bankruptcy code, the discharge of student loan debt became even more difficult because the exception to discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8) was expanded to include both federally guaranteed student loans and student loans made by private parties. In order to prove undue hardship, one must actually sue a student loan lender in bankruptcy court. Commencing a lawsuit against a student loan lender is an expensive and protracted process. The costs associated with such a process can be $20,000 or more.

If the SBBRA bill is passed into law, the requirement of having to prove undue hardship in order to have student loan debt discharged will be removed. This bill is a result of growing momentum around student loan debt forgiveness in the past five years. Although many don’t expect this bill to be approved by the United States Senate if it is passed in the United States House of Representatives, it’s still a possibility at this point. If the bill passes, thousands of individuals with hundreds of thousands of student loan debts and accrued interest would have bankruptcy as an option to be permanently rid of such debts.

If the bill doesn’t pass, many believe it is still a sign of changes in how student loans are handled in the United States. Other signs, like the recent McDaniel v. Navient case where $200,000 in student loan debt was discharged, point to growing concerns that individuals will not be able to repay student debts. The 2020 election will most likely be the tipping point that determines whether beneficial changes to the bankruptcy code allowing the discharge of student loan debts will become reality.

Even though it is presently very difficult and very expensive to try and discharge student loan debts in bankruptcy, there are still many other debts that can be effectively eliminated in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 petition. To learn more about filing for bankruptcy relief in Waseca, MN, with the assistance of Behm Law Group Ltd. attorneys, contact us at (507) 387-7200 or email us at stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

At Behm Law Group, Ltd., we work with clients to guide them through Chapter 7, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases and the bankruptcy code as a whole. We primarily work with individual consumers but also provide legal representation to small businesses.

If you’re struggling to make debt payments each month, it may be time for you to consider filing for bankruptcy to find permanent debt relief. However, in order to determine if filing bankruptcy would benefit your situation you must consider the types of debt you have. While debts like credit card debt, medical bills, mortgages, and car loans are readily discharged in bankruptcy, some other common debts, such as student loans, are largely excepted from discharge in the bankruptcy process. With the help of Behm attorneys, you can find out how helpful the current bankruptcy code in Mankato, MN and nearby regions will be for discharging your debts.

For those with high student loan debt, it’s currently difficult to have that type of debt discharged in bankruptcy. Under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8), student loans can be discharged in bankruptcy only if a person is able to commence a lawsuit against a student loan lender and establish facts showing that retaining the debt would create an “undue hardship”. After the recent McDaniels v. Navient case, though, there may soon be ways to have student loan debt discharged more easily. In the McDaniels v. Navient case, Laura Paige McDaniel was able to have $200,000 discharged in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Details of the Case

Laura McDaniels originally borrowed $120,000 in student loans to cover her tuition to undergraduate and graduate school. When it became difficult for her to keep making high payments on this debt, her loan provider, Navient, did not offer any options for a repayment plan because only federal loan providers are required to work with borrowers to establish lenient payment plans. Unable to pay student loans and other debts, McDaniels went into bankruptcy. While her bankruptcy was ongoing, Navient continued to add thousands onto her student loans in interest.

After some time of being unable to pay the huge outstanding debt, McDaniels petitioned the bankruptcy court to reopen her case and include her private student loan debt for discharge. Though Navient appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, the lower bankruptcy court ruling that her student loan interest was not “an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit” because they “were not made solely for the ‘cost of attendance’” was affirmed. McDaniels, therefore, received a discharge of $200,000 in student loan debt.

What This Changes

While this will most likely not affect changes to the bankruptcy code immediately, it’s a sign that changes that would help those who have student loan debt are coming. With the additional changes the proposed Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act may make to the bankruptcy code, it’s highly possible that the treatment of student loans in bankruptcy might be very different in the near future.

Let the Professionals Help You Navigate the Bankruptcy Code

To learn more about filing and the bankruptcy code in Mankato, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com today.

Even for those with excellent health insurance, mounting medical bills can put a serious strain on finances. During this time especially, with the threat of COVID-19, many U.S. citizens fear a serious medical bill might cause a loss of financial stability. In fact, a recent survey showed that about half of Americans felt a serious medical cost would force them to file for bankruptcy relief.

 

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this belief has increased by around 5% since 2019. While the threat of poor health and financial downturn is a scary possibility to keep at the forefront of your day-to-day, it’s important to remember that if you do have to file a bankruptcy case, those medical debts and many others will be quickly resolved. With the guidance and support of a Behm Law Group, Ltd. attorney, you can file a successful case for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN and receive long-term, effective debt relief.

 

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a liquidation bankruptcy process. Essentially, this means your non-exempt assets will be sold (liquidated) and that non-exempt value will be paid to your creditors. The liquidation/sale of non-exempt assets is the exception rather than the rule of how things usually transpire in a chapter 7 bankruptcy case, however. Typically, all that people lose in a chapter 7 bankruptcy case are their unwanted debts.  Because the bankruptcy system is in place to help debtors who cannot repay their debts reorganize and rehabilitate their financial affairs, you will have the opportunity to assert bankruptcy exemptions that protect your property from the liquidation process. This typically includes protecting your house with the homestead exemption and protecting your car with a vehicle exemption. This means filers aren’t left completely destitute while fairness to creditors is still taken into account.

 

There are three main types of debt broken down in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case:

 

1. Priority debt, including child support, alimony, some tax debts, and others, all of which will be generally excepted from discharge in any bankruptcy process.
2. Secured debt, such as a mortgage or car loan, you’ll pay in full if you want to retain the property securing (serving as collateral for) the debt. If you don’t want to retain the property, you’ll have that debt fully discharged.
3. Unsecured debt, including medical bills and credit card debt, is discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. If you’re struggling from severe medical debt from a COVID-19 case or any other treatment cost, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy might be the most effective debt relief option for you.

 

If the majority of your debts are unsecured and you know you can protect your home or other important property with exemptions, Chapter 7 will likely be a very effective way of obtaining long-term financial reorganization and rehabilitation.

 

To learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Owatonna, MN or the surrounding area, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. today at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.

 

As the future of potential stimulus bills is still undecided, households across the United States are keeping a close eye on their finances. For some, a stimulus check may mean the difference between making a rent payment or being evicted. Not only do proposed stimulus bills offer a second check, they also extend several aspects that protect debtors from backlash if they are unable to meet monthly payments. If you are one of those debtors who faces unstable finances for any reason, this may be the ideal time to take action for long-term debt relief. Filing for bankruptcy may be the best option for your circumstances. With the help of Behm Law Group Ltd., you can determine if filing for bankruptcy in Luverne, MN, and the surrounding area is right for you.

 

When the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act was established in March 2020, $2.2 trillion was used for various support systems for individuals and businesses across the United States. Anyone who filed for bankruptcy after the CARES Act passed knows that the stimulus checks and other aspects of the bill were protected assets in their bankruptcy cases. They could not be seized by the trustees administering their bankruptcy cases.  If you are worried about losing that vital stimulus support after the next bill passes, fear not. Any income from COVID-19 stimulus will be exempt from liquidation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy or a repayment plan in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Additionally, the boost in income from the stimulus won’t prevent you from qualifying for bankruptcy.

 

While we wait for the next stimulus bill to pass, we can compare the CARES Act to what might be coming. Nearly all of us experienced the benefits of the CARES Act, so if we look at the differences between the proposed HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency

Solutions) and HEALS (Help End Abusive Living Situations) Acts, we can predict how each might affect us.

 

Total cost of each packages

• CARES: $2.2 trillion
• HEROES: $3 trillion
• HEALS: $1 trillion

 

Stimulus check amounts

• CARES: $1,200 for each individual earning under $75,000, $2,400 for joint earners making under $125,000 with a reduction of $5 from every $100 for earners making more than income maximums
• HEROES: same as CARES
• HEALS: same as CARES

 

Stimulus check additions for dependents

• CARES: $500 per dependent 16 and younger, which eliminated college students from receiving either a stimulus check or dependent additions
• HEROES: maximum of three additions of $1,200 per dependent
• HEALS: $500 per dependent with no age limit

 

Unemployment benefit additions

• CARES: additional $600 per unemployment check, plus the usual state benefits
• HEROES: same as CARES
• HEALS: starting additional $200 per unemployment check, which will increase to an additional $500 per unemployment check to match 70% of lost wages subtracted against the state unemployment check

 

Many parts of the CARES Act expired at the end of July, but eviction moratoriums and other protections are still in place for those unable to meet rent and debt payments. Because of these protections, it is still viable to file for bankruptcy during this time. To get started on your bankruptcy in Luverne, MN, today, contact Behm Law Group Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.