Child Support and Spousal Support During a Chapter 13 Personal Bankruptcy in Minneapolis

Chapter 13 bankruptcy can give you relief from overwhelming debt while allowing you to continue meeting essential obligations. Certain payments, such as child or spousal support, will not disappear in bankruptcy because they are considered priority debts. Back support must be included in your Chapter 13 repayment plan, while ongoing support obligations must continue to be paid separately. Understanding how child support and spousal support are handled during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Minneapolis is important if you want to move forward with confidence.

If you want to protect your financial stability while still meeting your support obligations, talk with our bankruptcy attorneys at Walker & Walker. We will guide you through every step.

What Are Priority Debts in Bankruptcy?

Priority debts are obligations given greater importance in bankruptcy proceedings. These include essential payments such as mortgages, car loans, taxes, child support, and spousal support. Unlike unsecured debts, such as credit cards or medical bills, priority debts will not be eliminated in Chapter 13. Instead, they must be fully addressed in your repayment plan.

Knowing which obligations count as priority debts is crucial because they shape your repayment strategy and determine how your income is allocated. Our team will make sure your repayment plan complies with these requirements while still giving you the financial relief you need.

Can Spousal and Child Support Be Discharged?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to reorganize and eventually eliminate many unsecured debts, such as credit card balances and medical bills. However, support obligations for a child or former spouse are not dischargeable. If you are behind on payments, those must be repaid during the plan, and ongoing obligations must continue without interruption.

While bankruptcy provides relief from most debts, child and spousal support will remain in place. At Walker & Walker, we will help you create a repayment plan that addresses overdue support while also managing your other debts. This way, you can take control of your finances while keeping up with your support commitments.

How Do Child and Spousal Support Affect Bankruptcy Proceedings?

When you file for Chapter 13 in Minneapolis, the trustee reviews your income and obligations to determine a manageable repayment plan. Support obligations are factored in before money is distributed to other creditors, ensuring that these payments remain a top priority.

Because of this, your plan must be realistic and take into account all required support. If your circumstances change, you may need to request a modification to your plan. Our attorneys will work with you to make sure your plan reflects both your financial situation and your family obligations.

Can a Bankruptcy Trustee Change Your Support Obligations?

A bankruptcy trustee oversees your case and ensures your repayment plan follows the law, but the trustee does not have authority to change your child or spousal support. These obligations are set and modified only through family court.

What Chapter 13 will do is help restructure your other debts, freeing up income so that you can keep up with your support payments. If adjustments are needed, only a family court judge in Minneapolis can modify those orders.

How a Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help

A bankruptcy attorney at Walker & Walker will help you create a Chapter 13 repayment plan that prioritizes child or spousal support while still addressing your other debts. We will help ensure your bankruptcy case stays compliant, address creditor communications, and keep your case moving forward.

Discuss Your Alimony and Child Support With a Minneapolis Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney

If you are overwhelmed by debt but still need to maintain obligations, such as child maintenance or mortgage payments, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may offer the relief you need. At Walker & Walker, our attorneys will help you create a repayment plan that protects your assets and manages your child support and spousal support during a Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy in Minneapolis.