Dave's Minnesota Bankruptcy Blog
My name is Dave Kelly. Since I launched my first crude web site in 1996, I have been tryingto explain Minnesota Bankruptcy topics in plain Minnesotan talk. It's not easy, but I am often told that my stuff is easier to follow than a lot else of what's out there. I have a lot to say - maybe too much - about Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Assets and the Filing Process. You can use the search utility above to browse for your topic, or you can contact me with your question. If or when you contact me, you can expect a personal response within 24 hours.
Recent Posts
Marital Status and Bankruptcy – Best to Plan Ahead
Marital status can make a big difference in a bankruptcy case. There’s a certain amount of rejoicing in these parts over the events at the Minnesota legislature yesterday which appear to make legalization of gay marriage a certainty in this state probably by next week. I assume that we will have a lot of people [...]
Failure to complete Credit Counseling can Wreck Your Case
In bankruptcy, either Chapter 7 or 13, there is a counseling requirement – one course that must be taken before the case is filed and another that must be taken before the case can be discharged. One of the things that keeps me awake at night is the possibility that one of my clients might [...]
Update on Billboard in Blaine
It turns out that this sign belongs to an outfit called “Affordable Law Center” which is operated by a gentleman named Edward Jonak. I am sitting here now reviewing a court order from Judge Kishel issued March 29th concerning Mr. Jonak. Looks as if the order completely shuts down the “Affordable Law Center” and charges [...]
Payday Loans – NO NO NO NO NO
I see on my Google Plus page that an outfit called “Get Payday Loans” has added me to their circles – or something. Usually I would add them back, but I just can’t do it. From where I sit payday loans are about the most evil thing on the planet. They are very addictive. Once [...]
What to Bring to the First Meeting at My Offce
For me the starting point for most bankruptcy cases is a call from the prospective client. If you are reading this that could be you. Before anything else I like to do a screening over the phone. This can be done in about fifteen minutes, sometimes maybe a bit longer. No need to be afraid [...]
Tax Season is Upon Us
Well, tax season is upon us. I am hearing from quite a few folks who have returns ready to file but don’t have the money that they are required to pay in. What I usually say is that in most circumstances it is better to file the return without paying than it is to delay [...]
Keeping Your House in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Of all the questions I get asked, “can I keep my house” could be the most frequent. I have a long article about it on my site, probably too long. For one thing, the web page covers both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. For another thing, the article covers the topic of letting the house [...]
It’s Always Something
I hate this. I have a lease for my office that covers the next two years, but the landlord just announced to me and the rest of the tenants that the place will be torn down in the next few months to make way for some sort of new development. I love this place. Maybe [...]
My Number is on a Billboard in Blaine??!!
I just received a call from someone who says that my office phone number (952-544-6356) is on a billboard on Central Avenue in Blaine, MN near the intersection with 89th St. Furthermore this caller indicated that it says the fee for filing bankruptcy is $860, which would be way below my usual fee even for [...]
Sales Tax on Legal Services?
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton just announced that he wants to levy a sales tax on legal services. I think I heard the proposed rate is 5.5%. Funny, I always thought that the filing fees that we already have to pay were a sort of tax. Not long ago , under the previous governor, all the [...]
My law office is in Minnetonka near St. Louis Park, Plymouth, Hopkins and Golden Valley. It's an easy drive along Highway 12 and I-394 from the more western suburbs like Maple Plain, Delano and Montrose; and quite a few drive to see me from as far away as Ramsey County, Dakota County, McLeod County and even Isanti County, although it might not be so easy. I have been helping clients in the Twin Cities - St. Paul - Minneapolis area for over thirty-seven years. Most of my clients are good Minnesota people who would rather do anything but come and see somebody like me. They tend to keep trying to figure out how to manage their debt on their own, when they are way past due for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you have between fifteen minutes and half an hour, call me and at no cost to you I can do a screening over the phone which should give us a fairly good idea of whether you should be filing a bankruptcy and whether it should be a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13. Contact me any way you want - by email or by using the message utility on this page. My favorite, however, is still the telephone.
