Rochester Bankruptcy Lawyer

It is easy to get into debt and hard to get out of it. Credit card interest builds up fast when you cannot pay the charges right away. Medical bills, car repairs, or reduced work hours can also contribute to financial difficulties. Debt collectors may start calling you repeatedly. If you are in this situation, you need a Rochester bankruptcy lawyer who can review your financial options and explain how to reclaim your life.

Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC, has been helping our clients get out of debt and rebuild their credit for over 40 years. We understand your concerns about bankruptcy, and we will explain how the process works. We will do our best to protect your home and other assets and to clear your debts.

Your initial case consultation is free. Contact us, and one of our experienced bankruptcy attorneys will contact you for a case review right away.

Can I File Bankruptcy Without an Attorney?

It is possible to file for bankruptcy without a lawyer. Some people think it is cheaper to file their own bankruptcy documents or that they do not have enough debt or assets to need legal help.

When you visit our Rochester offices, our attorneys will give you our best legal opinion about how your bankruptcy case should proceed. If your financial situation does not require bankruptcy, we will let you know. However, in most cases where bankruptcy is necessary, you will need an attorney. Legal help is essential for several reasons.

Assets and Liabilities

Minnesota law lets debtors exempt most of their household goods, furniture, and even home equity from being included in a bankruptcy. It has to be done correctly, though, or creditors can claim assets the debtor would have been able to keep.

Deadlines and Paperwork

Any exemption has a separate document. The bankruptcy form is really a packet of documents. All of the documents must be filed in order, and hearing dates need to be set. Then you must attend the hearings.

Stress

Attorneys and their capable staff do this for a living. We fill out legal forms, file documents, and attend court hearings every day. Our legal team knows what to look for and how to make sure documents reach the right people in time for a successful court date.

Most self-filed, or pro se, bankruptcies fail, usually because of incomplete forms or improperly filed documents. When you retain our experienced legal team, we will ensure that everything is done correctly the first time.

What Happens After Filing Bankruptcy

After filing for bankruptcy, some people are surprised to learn they must attend a class. This financial management course is required by Minnesota bankruptcy courts (and most federal bankruptcy courts). Debtors must complete this course before the hearing with the bankruptcy trustee.

The 341 Hearing

The 341 hearing is where debtors meet with the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. The trustee can ask questions about the debtor’s current financial situation, their assets and debts, and their ability to pay off any existing debts.

Most creditors do not come to 341 hearings, but you should not depend on their absence. Any creditor who does show up can ask questions and make a formal demand for their claim to be exempted from the bankruptcy discharge. One of our Rochester lawyers can keep trustees and attorneys from asking questions you cannot answer about your bankruptcy.

The trustee has the right to sell any of the debtor’s nonexempt assets, review the financial statements for fraud, and require the debtor to pay off some creditors if they believe the debtor has the ability to pay.

Contact Our Rochester Bankruptcy Attorneys

A Rochester bankruptcy lawyer from Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC can guide you through the legal process during this difficult situation. Contact us for a free case consultation. We will get your financial plan back on track right away.