Experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys in Stillwater, Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin
Serving Clients in the St. Croix Valley Over 60 Years
For more than 60 years, Eckberg, Lammers, Briggs, Wolff & Vierling P.L.L.P. has worked with many people facing overwhelming debt. We are committed to helping you get financial relief as well, through either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Our trial attorneys will work closely with you to determine if you qualify to have some of your debts eliminated or restructured. Contact us today and let us help you get a fresh financial start. We serve clients in the greater Twin Cities area, the St. Croix Valley and Western Wisconsin, including in Washington County and communities such as Woodbury, White Bear Lake and Forest Lake.
At Eckberg Lammers, we understand this is an emotionally draining time for you. Our consumer bankruptcy attorneys can help most clients achieve financial relief in a few steps:
- Talk with one of our lawyers about how Chapter 7 or 13 may be right for you. Our fees are affordable and flexible.
- Take a simple approved online or in-person credit counseling course and bring us the needed financial records. We can supply you with inexpensive online courses. Then, if you decide to file the case, we prepare the official court papers for filing.
- Once we prepare the bankruptcy papers, you review them, sign them, and we file them with the court. That same day, the court issues an order to your creditors saying they must stop trying to collect from you. About a week later, you receive a copy of this official court order, which also contains a date and time for the required bankruptcy trustee meeting. You will need to attend this hearing but it is short and, typically, pretty simple.
- This trustee meeting occurs at the federal courthouse about four or five weeks after the case is filed. You and your lawyer must attend. Bring your driver's license, social security card, bank statements covering the filing date, recent paycheck stub, certificate of completion of financial management course.
- In a typical Chapter 7 case, nothing else is required and about 45-60 days later the court discharges your debts, meaning they are not collectible.
- In a typical Chapter 13, several weeks later the court normally confirms your Chapter 13 repayment plan. Then you begin to make payments to the trustee overtime.
- Even before your case is final, you may get credit card offers. Choose carefully before accepting these.
The Bankruptcy Means Test
Typically, you are automatically eligible for Chapter 7 if your annual household income is at or below the median income for your state. In Minnesota, the median income figures for bankruptcy cases filed on or after October 1, 2008, are:
| Household Size* | Median Income |
| One Person | $45,832 |
| Two Persons | $59,778 |
| Three Persons | $72,808 |
| Four Persons | $84,394 |
*Even if your income exceeds the above figures, you can still file a Chapter 7 if you pass the "means test."
Contact Our Experienced Lawyers Today
When you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney in Washington County, contact us by e-mail or call us at (651) 967-7344 to discuss your financial concerns.
