Bankruptcy in Iowa

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Steve Klesner

Iowa City: (319) 338-9852  Muscatine: (563) 263-8801

email: steve@iclawfirm.com

SERVING IOWANS STATEWIDE

Welcome to Bankruptcy in Iowa, by bankruptcy lawyer Steve Klesner.  Steve is an experienced Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney from the law firm of Johnston, Stannard, Klesner, Burbidge & Fitzgerald, P.L.C., serving clients in Iowa from offices in Iowa City and Muscatine.  From these offices, we are available to clients in several Iowa counties, including Johnson, Muscatine, Linn, Washington, Benton, Keokuk, Louisa, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Des Moines, Fayette, Henry, Jones, Iowa, Jefferson, Lee, Mahaska, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, and Van Buren. 

We also effectively serve clients statewide by our use of phone, e-mail, fax, and mail.  We do this to make Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy available to those who are too busy with job and family demands, who have health issues which make travel difficult, or have other reasons to avoid traveling to see a lawyer.  While we encourage face-to-face meetings, you may be able to file a bankruptcy case with the help of a bankruptcy lawyer without traveling to an appointment.  Just give us a call.

While we serve clients statewide, for those wanting a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney with an office in central Iowa, Jeff Mathias may be able to help you.  His website is found here: www.iowabankruptcyguide.com/.

The purpose of this website is to provide some basic information about bankruptcy law in Iowa so that consumers will be better able to discuss their options with a bankruptcy attorney. You should never rely on a website or any other general information. Rather, you should meet in-person with a lawyer for advice that fits your situation.

Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case will stop foreclosures, repossessions, and garnishments.  You will find information in this site about what bankruptcy case and cannot do for you, and you are encouraged to speak with an attorney about the details of your situation as soon as you are aware of your financial difficulties.

If you want more detailed information than is contained in this site, or you want to begin preparing for a meeting with an attorney, then call (319)338-9852 to request a Common Questions brochure and a Questionnaire (or use the links on this page), or to set up a cost-free, obligation-free consultation.

Keep in mind that the information in this site is intended for persons who are considering filing for bankruptcy relief in Iowa. Residents of other states should seek advice from attorneys licensed in those states.

Steve Klesner

For a FREE EVALUATION of your case, open the documents from the links below.  Or call (319) 338-9852 to talk to Steve.

Click here for a fillable questionnaire which you can quickly complete and email to us for review of your case

Click here for answers to common questions about bankruptcy

Click here for a list of documents needed to prepare your case

An authorization form for us to order a credit report -- print, sign, and mail to us

We are flexible.  Want to meet in person?  That's great.  Give us a call.  Want to minimize travel and time off from work?  We'll work with you.  At minimum, we need certain things from you, and we don't care how you get these things to us (see options under "Sending Your Info" tab).  We need:

  1. The past seven months of paystubs for you and your spouse, even if your spouse isn't filing (but not if you are separated).  If you don't have all of them, your employer should be able to print a report summarizing your income.
  2. The past two years of tax returns, complete with W-2s.  If you can't find them, we can help you get them.
  3. Permission to order a credit report.  The form is available above.
  4. Copies of any bills and collection letters.  We need to know about ALL of your debts, including ones you want to pay.
  5. Let us know if you have had income in the past six months other than wages.  Examples: self-employment/business, child support, unemployment, worker's compensation, Social Security, rental income, inheritance, pension.
  6. Any document showing the value of your pensions or other financial investments, including cash value life insurance policies, college savings accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.

 
I invite you to submit your questions or comments below. Or email me your questions to steve@iclawfirm.com.

 

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The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements, certification, specialization or self-proclaimed expertise. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyers as specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. These disclosures are required by the Supreme Court of Iowa.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Persons accessing this site are encouraged to seek independent counsel for advice regarding their individual legal issues.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.