Bankruptcy
A bankruptcy practice built on dignity and a fresh start.
Filing for bankruptcy is one of the hardest decisions a family can make. The good news is that the law was written precisely for the people who need it — to give honest individuals and families overwhelmed by debt a real, legally protected path back to stable footing. For four decades, Rick has helped people across North Dakota and Minnesota take that path with their dignity intact.
We handle both Chapter 7 (liquidation) and Chapter 13 (reorganization) consumer bankruptcies. Which chapter is right depends on your income, your assets, the type of debt you carry, and what you want to protect. We walk through all of it with you in plain language, and we don't recommend filing unless it is truly the best option on the table.
A clean slate, when the math no longer works.
Chapter 7 is the form of bankruptcy most people picture: most unsecured debts — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, deficiency balances after a repossession — are discharged, and you emerge debt-free in a matter of months. Eligibility is determined by a means test based on your household income compared to North Dakota or Minnesota medians.
One of the biggest worries we hear is "will I lose my house, my car, my retirement?" In most cases the answer is no. North Dakota and federal exemptions protect a meaningful amount of equity in a homestead, a vehicle, household goods, retirement accounts, and the tools of your trade. We sit down with you, look at exactly what you own, and tell you straight what is and isn't at risk before you ever file.
A structured reorganization that lets you keep what matters.
Chapter 13 is a court-supervised repayment plan that runs three to five years. It is the right tool when you have steady income, want to catch up on a mortgage or vehicle in arrears, or have non-exempt assets you want to protect from a Chapter 7 trustee. At the end of the plan, any remaining qualifying unsecured debt is discharged.
Chapter 13 also stops a foreclosure or repossession the moment it is filed and lets you cure the arrears over the life of the plan. For many of the homeowners who walk into our office worried about losing the house, this is the chapter that keeps them in it. We design the plan around what you can realistically afford, present it to the trustee, and represent you through confirmation and beyond.
What to expect, step by step.
Every bankruptcy begins with a confidential meeting. We look at your income, your debts, your assets, and your goals, and we tell you honestly what your options are — including options that are not bankruptcy. If filing is the right move, we explain which chapter fits and what the timeline looks like.
From there, we gather your financial documentation, complete the required pre-filing credit counseling, and prepare the petition, schedules, and statement of financial affairs. The moment we file, the automatic stay takes effect — collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and foreclosure proceedings stop, by force of federal law.
We attend the meeting of creditors with you, handle any trustee questions, and shepherd the case through to discharge. You are never alone in a courtroom or on a call with the trustee.
What it actually feels like on the other side.
Most clients tell us the same thing within a few weeks of filing: they are sleeping again. The phone has stopped ringing. The mail has stopped arriving in red ink. They can begin to think about the future instead of dreading the next call.
Bankruptcy stays on a credit report for several years, but rebuilding credit usually starts much faster than people expect. We send every client out the door with a clear, honest plan for getting back on stable financial ground — and we remain a phone call away long after the case is closed.
40+ years in the Fargo bankruptcy court.
We know the trustees
Four decades of practice in front of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of North Dakota means we know the trustees, the staff, and the rhythm of the local docket.
We know North Dakota exemptions
The exemptions that protect your home, your vehicle, and your retirement are state-specific. We work with the North Dakota and federal exemption schemes every day.
We know our clients
Many of the people we represent are friends, neighbors, or referrals from past clients. That continuity makes the process calmer for everyone.
Let's talk about a fresh start.
If debt has become unmanageable, you have options. We'd be glad to walk you through them in a confidential, no-pressure conversation.