Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in St. Cloud, Minnesota

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in St. Cloud, MN

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In St. Cloud, Minnesota, bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person or business has some or all of their debts legally cleared, when they are unable to pay them. This hopefully allows them to begin over with a clean slate and move on, after having learned to better manage their use of credit in the process. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a fitting way to get out of debt that you just don't feel like paying. Bankruptcy can have severe consequences, including but not limited to damage to your credit rating. A bad credit score can impact your ability to acquire loans in the future, to rent an apartment, and possibly even your ability to get hired at some jobs (as some employers now run credit checks on prospective employees).

For that reason, it would be advisable to speak with a good St. Cloud, Minnesota bankruptcy attorney. This attorney will be able to advise you as to whether or not filing for bankruptcy is a good idea, given your specific situation. This determination is highly dependent on the details of each individual case, so a St. Cloud attorney's advice is really indispensable.

Types of Bankruptcy in St. Cloud, Minnesota

There are 3 bankruptcy tactics that are typically used in St. Cloud: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is governed by federal law, so the procedures in St. Cloud, Minnesota are very similar to what they will be anywhere else in the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her property, and use the funds to pay creditors. While this doesn't sound like much of a relief at first glance, the upshot is that once the appropriate property is sold, and the proceeds directed to the creditors, all of the debtor's eligible debts are deemed paid in full, regardless of how much the creditors actually ended up getting. Not all of the debtor's property has to be sold off - the debtor will typically be allowed to keep things like a house, at least one car, some types of personal property, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. It should be noted that some debts are not dischargeable, and will have to be paid in full even if the debtor files for bankruptcy. This includes student loans, taxes, and criminal fines.

The other form of bankruptcy most frequently used in St. Cloud is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over an extended period of time, often consolidating it into one periodic payment. In this system, the amount of money the debtor owes is not actually reduced, but the payment of the debt is made far more manageable. This gives the debtor some breathing room, allowing him to continue to earn a living while slowly paying down his debts, and gives some security to creditors that they will eventually collect all or most of what they're owed. Though applicable to individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is typically used by businesses. Like Chapter 13, Chapter 11 requires the restructuring of debts. Under this system, the debtor must come up with a plan to reduce debt, cut costs, and improve operations. Once this plan is finalized, it is submitted to the participating creditors, who must approve it by a majority vote before it can be implemented.

While going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a business can continue operating, and its stock can continue to be traded.

How Can a St. Cloud Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The need to examine all the options and consider the costs and benefits of applying for bankruptcy in St. Cloud cannot be overstated. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, it would be a good idea to speak with a St. Cloud bankruptcy attorney beforehand.

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Life in St. Cloud

With close to 70,000 residents, Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the largest city in Minnesota's central region. Saint Cloud is named after St. Cloud, France and has some charming French restaurants and culture paying homage to its namesake. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the picturesque city has a lot to offer residents and visitors. St. Cloud is just over an hour drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, and an easy city to access from all around. St. Cloud islocated in three counties: Stearns County, Benton County, and Sherburne County and is also considered one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Minnesota. Comprising a total area of 30.9 miles, St. Cloud has over ninety parks within its city limits. St. Cloud also has thirty undeveloped small islands, which make for popular canoe and kayak adventures. As a city on the rise, it is no wonder that there is such a wonderful lawyer community in St. Cloud. St. Cloud lawyers are highly skilled in a range of practice areas, and available to help their neighbor with any issue he or she may be dealing with. The legal community in St. Cloud is growing as fast as the city itself, and it is a great time to use this resource!