Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC Logo
Call Or Text Us Today: 612-824-4357
VIDEOS Free Book Free Case evaluation
Menu
Call / Text
Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC
Free Book Free Case evaluation VIDEOS
612-824-4357
  • Home+Expand
  • Attorneys+Expand
    • Curtis K. Walker+Expand
    • Andrew C. Walker+Expand
    • Ethan Mustonen+Expand
    • Rick P. Lee+Expand
    • Andrew T. Johnson+Expand
    • Christopher Anderson+Expand
    • Jackson Wiese+Expand
    • Peter Lawin+Expand
  • Chapter 7+Expand
    • 8 Steps to Filing Bankruptcy+Expand
    • Qualifying for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy+Expand
    • Means Test+Expand
    • 341 Meeting+Expand
    • Advantages and Disadvantages+Expand
  • Chapter 13+Expand
    • 9 Steps to Filing Bankruptcy+Expand
    • Qualifying for Chapter 13+Expand
    • Means Test+Expand
    • 341 Meeting+Expand
    • Advantages and Disadvantages+Expand
    • Modification to Bankruptcy Plan+Expand
  • $0 Down Bankruptcy+Expand
  • Bankruptcy Learning Center+Expand
    • 50 FAQ+Expand
    • Bankruptcy Basics+Expand
    • Before Bankruptcy+Expand
    • After Bankruptcy+Expand
    • Benefits of Bankruptcy+Expand
    • Credit Report+Expand
    • Debt Collection+Expand
    • Legal Updates+Expand
    • Student Loans+Expand
    • Definitions+Expand
    • Debt Options Calculator+Expand
    • ARE MY STUDENT LOANS DISCHARGEABLE?+Expand
  • Testimonials+Expand
  • Blog+Expand
  • Make A Payment+Expand
  • Contact Us+Expand
    • Minneapolis Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • St Paul Bankrutptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Blaine Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Brooklyn Park Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Rochester Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Mankato Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Duluth Bankruptcy Attorneys Office+Expand
    • Leave Us A Google Review+Expand

Is It Better to File a Chapter 7 or 13 Bankruptcy in Minnesota?

bankruptcy lawyer choices

Which Is The Better Option For Me?

If you are considering bankruptcy, you may have been doing your reading on both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in order to determine which is the better choice. In truth, neither is better than the other innately. It is more accurate to say that one may be better than the other depending on your situation and what you hope to accomplish from filing bankruptcy.

When is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Better?

When someone brings up the term bankruptcy, typically it is Chapter 7 bankruptcy that most people will think of. It is a relatively quick option for those that have debt that is spiraling out of control, but it is not the perfect choice for everyone. If you have huge debts like medical bills or maxed out credit cards, then Chapter 7 is the perfect choice for you. Not all debts can be discharged, but those standard life-consuming debts can be. There is no repayment plan and your debt will be wiped out.

However, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may not be a good option for your if you own a lot of property. While Chapter 7 doesn’t mean you will lose all your property, some may be sold off, particularly if you are not current with payments or you will not be able to continue payments after bankruptcy is done. As Chapter 7 bankruptcy completely discharges debts, it will pretty much only let you keep your necessities. If you have two cars for yourself and your wife to get to work and one beautiful classic car you bought for fun, unfortunately that classic car is not considered a necessity. It will likely not be protected. However, as you both need your other two cars to get to work, then these would be considered necessities. If you enjoy your luxury items, then Chapter 7 may not be a good choice for you. It protects necessities by sacrificing what is considered to be a luxury.

When is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Better?

Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy that wipes out much of your debt, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is more focused on repaying a portion of the debt. The common thought among those filing bankruptcy is “why would you ever choose Chapter 13?” It seems like it would be better to simply have your debt wiped out by Chapter 7.

However, the major benefit to filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy and setting up a three to five year debt repayment plan is that it can help you retain your property. If you own a home or a car that is behind on payments and you want to keep it, this can help you catch up on the payments you are behind on.  You can keep more property in chapter 13 than in chapter 7.

Another benefit of Chapter 13 bankruptcy is if you have a lot of payments like child support or tax obligations that cannot be discharged by Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You will also want to consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy if much of your debt has a co-debtor. If you were to discharge it from yourself in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the full burden of that debt would just go to the other debtor. For some, it may be better to think of Chapter 13 bankruptcy not as a way to discharge debt, but more as a debt management plan.

Need Help? Contact a Bankruptcy Attorney

If you are still having conflicted feelings on which chapter would be the better choice for you, then you should talk it over in full with a bankruptcy attorney. Contact us today so a professional at Walker & Walker can talk you through all of your questions to help you make the best choice. We can help go over your lifestyle so you can make the right bankruptcy decision to get your family back on track. We have offices in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Blaine and Brooklyn Park.


Related Posts

Minneapolis Bankruptcy Attorney Explains How to Include All Debts When Filing#WinWednesday: Minneapolis Bankruptcy Client Discharges $60,000 in Debt and Keeps Everything#WinWednesday: Judge Affirms 14-Day Stay in Bankruptcy Relief Motions—Thanks to Attorney Cat Davidson#WinWednesday: $150,000 in Debt Gone — Including $100K in Student Loans and $50K in Medical & Personal Debt

Request A Free Consultation

Help Me Get A Fresh Start

  • By signing up via text, you agree to receive recurring automated messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Your privacy is our priority. Your information will not be shared.

  • Should be Empty:

By signing up via text, you agree to receive recurring automated messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Your privacy is our priority. Your information will not be shared.

Client Reviews

Walker Law Logo

Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:30pm

Friday: 8:00am – 4:30pm

Hours vary by location

Evening Appointments Available

Minneapolis

4356 Nicollet Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55409

612-824-4357 Get Directions

Brooklyn Park

7240 Brooklyn Boulevard Suite #210
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

763-444-4357 Get Directions

St. Paul

1112 Rice Street,
St. Paul, MN 55117

651-731-4357 Get Directions

Blaine

607 County Rd. 10 NE Suite #204
Blaine, MN 55434

763-780-4357 Get Directions

Mankato

100 Warren St, Suite 300-119,
Mankato, MN 56001

507-497-9179 Get Directions

Rochester

4229 W Frontage Rd Ste 5B
Rochester, MN 55901

507-738-1100 Get Directions

Duluth

4202 E Superior St, Suite 102,
Duluth, MN 55804

218-979-4220 Get Directions

Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC, designated a debt relief agency by an Act of Congress and the President of the United States, has proudly assisted consumers seeking relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code for over 40 years.

This website is for informational purposes only. The information contained should not be interpreted as legal advice. Only a local attorney with actual knowledge of your personal situation can give you legal advice. Viewing this site website does not create an attorney/client relationship.

Facebook Twitter Google

© 2025 by Walker & Walker Law Offices, PLLC. All rights reserved.

Minneapolis Web Design | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Locations | Back to Top