What Is the Bankruptcy Means Test in Minnesota?
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Written by the Upsolve Team.
Updated December 7, 2020
Minnesota residents are a unique brand of tough. Braving the harshest winters in the lower 48 states makes Minnesotans strong and resourceful. However, even the most resilient, responsible, and capable individuals can fall on hard times. No matter how hard you work, you may find yourself in a position where you can’t pay all of your bills. Thankfully, there are legal resources available for Minnesotans who are experiencing financial hardship. One of the most useful debt management solutions available is Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This process generally allows lower-income households to eliminate their debts while maintaining ownership of most, if not all personal property. To qualify for Chapter 7 relief, households must fall within certain income limits and they must pass the bankruptcy Means Test in Minnesota. This eligibility requirement helps the government ensure that only filers actually unable to pay their bills are allowed to take advantage of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Minnesota Median Income Levels
Minnesota Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $5,459.50 | $65,514.00 |
| 2 | $7,196.50 | $86,358.00 |
| 3 | $8,870.42 | $106,445.00 |
| 4 | $10,479.42 | $125,753.00 |
| 5 | $11,304.42 | $135,653.00 |
| 6 | $12,129.42 | $145,553.00 |
| 7 | $12,954.42 | $155,453.00 |
| 8 | $13,779.42 | $165,353.00 |
| 9 | $14,604.42 | $175,253.00 |
| 10 | $15,429.42 | $185,153.00 |
Discharge in Bankruptcy for Minnesota
A Minnesota bankruptcy discharge is a court order that eliminates your debts as part of your Minnesota bankruptcy case. Take a moment to think about the ways your life would be different if your debts were eliminated. How would your stress level change? How would your daily life be easier to manage? What could you prioritize that you have had to put on hold? Eliminating debt doesn’t solve all financial problems, but it can significantly help to stabilize a family’s financial situation by giving them a fresh start. If you pass the bankruptcy Means Test in Minnesota, you are eligible to seek a discharge by filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
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Minnesota Means Test Calculator
The first step you can take to determine whether you are eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves accessing a Minnesota Means Test calculator. These online tools help you to evaluate whether the size of your household, your income, and your expenses make you a candidate for Chapter 7 Minnesota bankruptcy. The results of this Chapter 7 Means Test evaluation will significantly inform your decision to file for bankruptcy or not, so it’s important that the results of this test are accurate. Not all Minnesota Means Test calculators are regularly updated, so there is no guarantee that their information is reliable. Thankfully, the nonprofit legal aid organization Upsolve maintains current and accurate Means Test calculators for all 50 states. You can use these free resources with confidence. Should you have any questions about the Minnesota Means Test calculator provided, reach out to the experienced team at Upsolve at any time. Upsolve helps individuals file Chapter 7 bankruptcy on their own and our team would be happy to help you.
What Happens if I Fail the Means Test for Minnesota?
It is important to understand that being “Minnesota Nice” does not mean that you should avoid asking for help when you need it. If you have failed the bankruptcy Means Test in Minnesota, you may benefit from asking an experienced attorney to help you with finding alternative debt relief options. For example, you may benefit from filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, commonly referred to as “reorganization bankruptcy.” This process allows filers to restructure their debts so that their monthly payments become more manageable. This debt management option is particularly helpful for homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure and for folks who just need a small break in the form of a lower monthly payment to their creditors. Other Minnesota bankruptcy and debt relief options may be available to you as well. By scheduling a risk-free consultation with an attorney, you can ask whatever questions you may have before committing to any specific plan of action.
