Bankruptcy Attorneys Representing Waseca, MN
Struggling with debt? Behm Law Group Ltd. is here to help you find relief through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Experienced attorneys Stephen Behm and Isabelle Lewis-Behm have assisted many Waseca residents in navigating bankruptcy, providing a path to financial freedom.
With over 20 years of experience, Stephen has worked extensively at the Waseca County Courthouse, helping clients resolve their debt. He has built strong relationships with local attorneys who often refer clients in need of bankruptcy assistance.
Stephen also enjoys his personal ties to Waseca, from train watching at the Dakota, Minnesota & Canadian Pacific Railroad yard to visiting Barney’s Drive In in the summer.
Contact Behm Law Group today for a free consultation and start your journey to financial relief!
Common Reasons Waseca Residents File Bankruptcy
Medical Debt
Unexpected medical emergencies and ongoing healthcare costs can quickly overwhelm even financially stable families. Medical bills are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy filings in Minnesota and can be discharged in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Job Loss or Income Reduction
Losing employment or experiencing a significant reduction in income can make it impossible to keep up with existing debt obligations. Bankruptcy provides a fresh start when circumstances beyond your control have affected your ability to pay.
Divorce
Divorce often leads to financial strain as households split assets while maintaining similar debt levels. The division of property, legal fees, and transition to single-income living can make bankruptcy necessary for a fresh financial start.
Foreclosure Prevention
If you’re facing foreclosure on your Waseca home, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure process and allow you to catch up on missed mortgage payments over time while keeping your home.
Credit Card Debt
High-interest credit card debt can spiral out of control, especially when minimum payments barely cover interest charges. Bankruptcy can eliminate these unsecured debts and provide relief from overwhelming balances.
Business Debt
Small business owners in Waseca who have personally guaranteed business debts may find themselves personally liable when a business struggles. Bankruptcy can provide relief from both business and personal obligations.
The Bankruptcy Process: What to Expect
1
Initial Consultation
Your free consultation with Behm Law Group will involve reviewing your financial situation, discussing your goals, and determining which bankruptcy chapter suits your needs. We’ll answer your questions and provide clear guidance on your options.
2
Credit Counseling Requirement
Before filing, you must complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider, typically available online in a few hours. We’ll provide you with a list of approved providers to ensure you meet this requirement.
3
Preparing Your Bankruptcy Petition
We’ll help you gather all necessary financial documents, such as income, tax returns, debt details, and expense records. Our team takes care of the paperwork and ensures everything is filed accurately with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
4
Filing Your Case
Once your petition is ready, we file it electronically with the bankruptcy court. This triggers an automatic stay, stopping most collections, lawsuits, foreclosures, repossessions, and wage garnishments immediately.
5
The 341 Meeting of Creditors
About 4-6 weeks after filing, you’ll attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors, where the trustee will ask questions about your finances. We’ll prepare you for this meeting and attend with you to ensure you’re fully supported.
6
Debtor Education Course
After filing but before discharge, you must complete a debtor education course, which can be done online through an approved provider. This course is designed to help you avoid future financial issues.
7
Receiving Your Discharge
In Chapter 7, your discharge typically occurs 60-90 days after the 341 meeting. In Chapter 13, it comes after completing your 3-5 year repayment plan, relieving you of your obligation to pay discharged debts.
8
Life After Bankruptcy
Post-discharge, it’s important to rebuild your financial health. This involves budgeting, monitoring credit reports, and responsibly using credit to reestablish creditworthiness. We can guide you on how to maintain financial stability moving forward.
Why Choose Behm Law Group for Your Waseca Bankruptcy?
Exclusively Focused on Bankruptcy Law
Unlike general practice attorneys, we focus exclusively on bankruptcy law. This specialization means we have deep expertise in all aspects of Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 12 bankruptcy cases.
Local Knowledge and Relationships
As longtime southern Minnesota residents, we have extensive experience working with local bankruptcy trustees, creditors, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. This local knowledge benefits our Waseca clients throughout the bankruptcy process.
Personalized Attention
We treat every client as an individual with unique circumstances. You’ll work directly with experienced attorneys, not paralegals or support staff, throughout your case.
Transparent, Affordable Fees
We offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. We also provide flexible payment plans to make quality bankruptcy representation accessible to those who need it.
Comprehensive Service to Waseca County
While our office is conveniently located in downtown Mankato, we proudly serve clients throughout Waseca and Waseca County. We understand the unique challenges facing residents of this agricultural community and are committed to providing the same high-quality representation to Waseca clients as we do to all of southern Minnesota.
Proven Track Record of Successful Outcomes
Behm Law Group has helped numerous Waseca clients achieve favorable bankruptcy results. Whether it’s discharging overwhelming debts, reorganizing finances under Chapter 13, or protecting family assets, our attorneys leverage over 25 years of experience and deep local knowledge to guide clients confidently through the bankruptcy process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy in Waseca
Will I Lose Everything If I File Bankruptcy?
No. Minnesota has generous bankruptcy exemptions that protect most property. The vast majority of our clients keep their homes, vehicles, household goods, retirement accounts, and other essential property.
Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment?
Yes. Filing bankruptcy immediately stops wage garnishments through the automatic stay. Any wages garnished within 90 days before filing may potentially be recovered.
Will My Employer Find Out About My Bankruptcy?
Your employer will only be notified if they’re a creditor or if wages are being garnished. Otherwise, bankruptcy filings are public record but not typically monitored by employers.
Can I Keep My Car If I File Bankruptcy?
In most cases, yes. If you’re current on your car loan and the vehicle’s equity is protected by exemptions, you can keep your car by continuing to make payments. In Chapter 13, you may even be able to reduce your car loan balance or interest rate.
How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on My Credit Report?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years from the filing date. Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains for 7 years from the filing date.
Can I File Bankruptcy on Some Debts But Not Others?
You must list all debts when filing bankruptcy, but you can choose to voluntarily repay certain debts after receiving your discharge. You can also reaffirm secured debts like car loans or mortgages to keep the property.
What Debts Cannot Be Discharged in Bankruptcy?
Certain debts are non-dischargeable, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, alimony, debts incurred through fraud, criminal restitution, and debts not listed in your bankruptcy petition.
How Often Can I File Bankruptcy?
The timing between bankruptcy filings depends on the chapters involved. Generally, you must wait 8 years between Chapter 7 filings, 4 years between a Chapter 7 and a subsequent Chapter 13, and 2 years between Chapter 13 filings.
Contact Our Bankruptcy Attorneys Serving Waseca, MN Today
Freeing yourself from overwhelming debt isn’t easy, but filing for bankruptcy can give you the financial freedom you need to move forward with your life. Luckily, you don’t have to go through this stressful process alone. We at Behm Law Group, Ltd. are here to help, and with our attention to detail and understanding of your unique financial situation, we’ll get your chapter 7 or chapter 13 or chapter 12 bankruptcy filed quickly and efficiently. Contact us today to learn how we can help you recover from debt.
