Bankruptcy Attorneys Representing Mankato, MN

At Behm Law Group, Ltd., we are proud members of the Mankato area, and we aim to better our community by representing local residents in chapter 7, chapter 13, and chapter 12 bankruptcy cases. We’re local attorneys at law who care about the Mankato community, and we’re here to help you.

Living in the Mankato area since 1998 and 2003, respectively, Stephen Behm and Isabelle Lewis-Behm are passionate about protecting the people of our community. Stephen’s experience ranges from practicing as a part-time public defender with the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office to working with a variety of law firms where he focused exclusively on bankruptcy law, including chapter 7, chapter 13, and chapter 12 bankruptcy cases.

Meanwhile, Isabelle had the amazing opportunity to work as Assistant County Attorney with the Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office. She and Stephen met at a Fifth Judicial District bar luncheon; they married in 2005 and are proudly raising their three children in the Mankato area. Stephen and Isabelle are season ticket holders for MSU-Maverick men’s and women’s hockey and football.

Get Expert Advice on Your Bankruptcy Options

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is sometimes referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy” or “straight bankruptcy.” It is the most common form of bankruptcy and the type most people think of when they hear the term. In a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding, a bankruptcy discharge order is issued. A discharge order from the bankruptcy court nullifies your pre-bankruptcy contractual obligations to pay creditors. Your debts are discharged, and you are relieved of the financial burden of paying those debts. Typically, people do not lose property in this type of bankruptcy because there are a number of bankruptcy exemptions to protect their personal property from creditors. Usually, this includes retaining your house mortgage and car loan as long as your payments are current. The mechanism for resolving debt in Chapter 7 is that a bankruptcy trustee collects and sells all non-exempt assets and then distributes the cash to your creditors. 

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is sometimes referred to as “wage-earner bankruptcy,” “debt repayment bankruptcy,” or “debt reorganization bankruptcy.” The bankruptcy court is presented with a plan for the incremental repayment of a portion of your debts. The period for repayment is usually 3 to 5 years. Only a percentage of the debt is paid in Chapter 13, not the entire amount. Monthly payments are made to a bankruptcy trustee. The monthly payment amount is determined by you and reviewed by the chapter 13 trustee. Each month, the bankruptcy trustee will split up your monthly payments among your creditors. During this time, creditors cannot repossess your property or garnish your wages. These arrangements allow more time for creditors to be repaid than might otherwise be available. Your Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan sets forth the amount of each monthly payment. Creditors cannot demand more than what is specified in the plan. No interest is paid during this period, and there are no late fees. Payments are applied directly to the principal owed.

Contact Our Bankruptcy Attorneys in Mankato, MN Today

The offices of Behm Law Group, Ltd. are conveniently located at 424 Park Lane, Suite 1, in Mankato, Minnesota. We are in downtown Mankato three blocks south of the YMCA and two blocks north of Sibley Park.

We at Behm Law Group, Ltd. assist people and businesses seeking to file chapter 7, chapter 13 and chapter 12 bankruptcy from all over southern Minnesota including, but not limited to, Waseca, Mankato, Fairmont, Austin, Albert Lea, Blue Earth, St. Peter, Madison, Marshall, Redwood Falls, Worthington, Luverne, Granite Falls, Ivanhoe, Windom, Jackson, and Pipestone, and along the South Dakota border. If you are considering bankruptcy, allow us to be the attorneys who help you through this difficult time. Filing for bankruptcy isn’t easy, but we’re here to help.