Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in Saint Joseph, MO

Saint Joseph, MO Bankruptcy FAQs

• Where do I file for bankruptcy in Saint Joseph, Missouri?

  Saint Joseph residents may file for bankruptcy at the Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse, 400 E. 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. For further assistance, call 816-512-1800.

• Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Saint Joseph, Missouri?

  Saint Joseph residents may download the necessary bankruptcy filing forms at https://www.mow.uscourts.gov/forms.

• Will filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminate all your debts in Saint Joseph?

  No. While filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may offer you some financial relief by eliminating almost every type of unsecured debt that you have, such as credit card debt and medical bills, it still won’t wipe out all of your debts. After filing Chapter 7, you will still have to pay for child or spousal support, certain taxes, and student loans.

• How do you stop creditors from conducting their collection efforts on you in Saint Joseph?

  As soon as you’ve filed your petition in Saint Joseph, something called the “automatic stay” will come into effect. This prevents lawsuits against you from proceeding. It also halts creditors on their tracks with their collection efforts. At this point, the only way creditors can continue or pursue collection activities legally is by obtaining a court order.

• Are there alternatives to filing for bankruptcy in Saint Joseph?

  Yes. If you are not keen on filing for bankruptcy in Saint Joseph just yet, you may explore alternatives. Among the most common alternatives to bankruptcy is debt settlement. For this course of action, you must seek the help of a debt settlement firm that would negotiate on your behalf for a lower amount due on your debt when you are faced with financial hardship.

• When will your bankruptcy case be closed in Saint Joseph?

  There is no fixed answer to this question as no two bankruptcy cases in Saint Joseph are the same. However, many Chapter 7 no-asset cases are closed within 90 days from filing if disputes don’t arise throughout the process. Meanwhile, Chapter 13 cases remain open as long as the plan payments are being made. This usually lasts somewhere from three to five years after the repayment plan has been confirmed.

• Can you request the court to remove a bankruptcy from your credit report in Saint Joseph?

  There is virtually no legal way for the Bankruptcy Court serving Saint Joseph to remove a bankruptcy from your credit report, as credit reporting companies are beyond their jurisdiction. With the Fair Credit Reporting Act in place, though, a bankruptcy can no longer be reported by credit reporting agencies on one’s credit report after ten years from the date the bankruptcy case is filed.