Drowning in debt in Minneapolis? Bankruptcy can give you a fresh start.
Filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 stops collection calls, wage garnishment, and most lawsuits the moment you file. These Minneapolis bankruptcy firms file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota, quote flat fees, and most offer a free first consultation to tell you which chapter fits.
Personal bankruptcy in Minneapolis is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota, and the moment you file an automatic stay stops most collection, garnishment, and foreclosure activity. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying unsecured debts in a few months; Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five-year repayment plan that can save a home from foreclosure. The firms below are experienced consumer-bankruptcy practices, most charging a flat fee, and several are among the highest-reviewed in the state.
How we picked these firms: We reviewed peer rankings and directories (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw), client-review patterns, board certifications, and bar recognition. Only firms confirmed across at least two independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
Established in 1990, Hoglund Law reports having helped roughly 47,000 clients, with each attorney concentrating on a single practice area. One of the higher-volume consumer-bankruptcy practices in the region, offering free consultations and flat-fee Chapter 7 and 13 filings across the Twin Cities.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
Formerly Kain & Scott, LifeBack is among Minnesota's highest Google-reviewed bankruptcy firms, led by attorney Wesley Scott. The firm offers a service guarantee and a client-friendly, education-first approach. A strong pick for filers who want a smooth, well-reviewed experience.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
A long-running Minnesota consumer-bankruptcy firm with more than 40 years of combined experience. Focuses on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for individuals and families across the metro, with flat-fee pricing and free consultations.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, debt relief
A Minnesota debt-relief and bankruptcy firm with over 40 years of service and Super Lawyers recognition. Clients describe the team as fast to answer questions and a calming presence during a stressful filing. Handles Chapter 7 and related debt matters statewide.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy, Chapter 7 & 13
Craig Andresen has practiced consumer bankruptcy since 1988 and was named a "Top Lawyer in Minnesota" by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. A seasoned south-metro practice for filers who want an attorney with decades of focused bankruptcy experience.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
Dave Kelly has practiced bankruptcy law in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area for more than 40 years. A long-established solo practice offering personal attorney attention and flat-fee Chapter 7 and 13 filings for Twin Cities residents.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
Ronald Lundquist has handled a high volume of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for Twin Cities filers. A focused consumer-bankruptcy practice for clients who want a direct, experienced attorney guiding the filing.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, debt relief
Attorney Michael Sheridan is among Minnesota's top-rated bankruptcy lawyers, with more than 16 years of experience. The firm handles consumer bankruptcy and debt-relief matters for metro clients with strong client reviews.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 bankruptcy
A Minnesota bankruptcy practice handling Chapter 7 filings to discharge unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills. A straightforward option for filers with a relatively simple Chapter 7 who want flat-fee pricing.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy, Chapter 7 & 13
Paul Ross has helped clients across the southwest Twin Cities metro for more than two decades, walking individuals through Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 reorganization options. A personal, experienced practice for west-metro filers.
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Consumer bankruptcy is almost always a flat fee. In the Twin Cities, a straightforward Chapter 7 commonly runs about $1,000 to $2,000 in attorney fees plus the court filing fee (currently $338) and required credit-counseling course fees. Chapter 13 fees are higher — often $3,000 to $4,500 — but a large part is typically paid through the repayment plan rather than up front. Most firms on this list offer a free consultation and will tell you the all-in cost before you file.
A Chapter 7 case usually wraps up about three to four months after filing, ending in a discharge of qualifying debts. The automatic stay that stops collection and garnishment takes effect the day you file. Chapter 13 runs longer by design — a three-to-five-year repayment plan — with discharge at the end. Gathering documents and completing the required pre-filing credit-counseling course before filing typically takes a few weeks.
You file in the District of Minnesota. Twin Cities cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota, with hearings often handled by the assigned trustee. Local attorneys know the trustees and the court's expectations.
Minnesota has its own exemptions. Minnesota lets filers choose between generous state exemptions and the federal set. The state homestead exemption is among the most protective in the country, which can let many homeowners keep their house in Chapter 7.
A means test decides Chapter 7 eligibility. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 depends on the means test, which compares your income to the Minnesota median. If your income is too high, Chapter 13 may be the path. A lawyer runs this calculation for you.
Credit counseling is required. Federal law requires an approved credit-counseling course before you file and a debtor-education course before discharge. They are short and inexpensive, and your attorney points you to approved providers.
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Use it — and talk to at least two before you commit. The right fit depends on your facts, your budget, and how the attorney communicates. A few questions cut through the marketing fast.
Most firms here are competent and ethical. A few are not. The patterns worth walking away from:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a dismissal, or an approval, leave.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior attorney at intake, then never speak to them again. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the agreement in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a warning sign. Every legitimate firm gives you a written engagement letter spelling out the fee and what triggers extra charges.
Chapter 7 commonly runs about $1,000 to $2,000 in attorney fees plus the court filing fee and counseling costs. Chapter 13 is often $3,000 to $4,500, with much of it paid through the repayment plan. Most firms offer a free consultation.
Chapter 7 erases qualifying unsecured debts in a few months but you must pass a means test. Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five-year repayment plan and can stop a foreclosure and let you catch up on a mortgage.
Often no. Minnesota's homestead exemption is among the most protective in the country, so many homeowners keep their house in Chapter 7. Chapter 13 can also stop foreclosure and let you cure missed payments.
Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the moment you file and stops most collection calls, wage garnishment, lawsuits, and foreclosure activity while your case proceeds.
Chapter 7 can appear for up to ten years and Chapter 13 for up to seven. Many filers still begin rebuilding credit within a year or two, since the discharged debt is gone and your debt-to-income picture improves.
Usually just once, for a short meeting of creditors (the 341 meeting) with the trustee — often by phone or video. Most consumer cases never require an appearance before a judge.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews, call two or three firms, and ask each one how many cases like yours they have handled in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team