Bankruptcy is a legal process that gives individuals and businesses the opportunity to have their debts forgiven in a couple of different ways. It is a federal court matter and can be a financial fresh start for those facing financial difficulties.

What is a chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is for those who have no ability to pay back their debts. It is often referred to as a “liquidation bankruptcy” or a “straight” bankruptcy because it discharges any amount of debt.

What is a chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for those who are struggling to manage their debt and need help in restructuring their payments. When filing a Chapter 13, our office will use your income and expenses to determine a feasible repayment plan that usually includes better repayment terms such as 0% interest. This means that you will repay some or all your creditors over a period of 36-60 months. All your payments will be combined into one and the only person that you will be responsible to is your bankruptcy trustee. This means that your creditors cannot foreclose on your house, garnish your wages, or contact you to collect debt.

Foreclosure is a legal process where a lender or creditor will attempt to recover an amount due on a loan by taking ownership of the collateral property and selling it to pay off the mortgage loan.

What is consumer protection?

Consumer protection is the act of protecting consumers from unfair and illegal practices in the marketplace. Consumer protection laws are designed to hold sellers of goods and services accountable when they seek to profit from their consumers' lack of information or bargaining power. Our office specifically focuses on Debt Defense and Illegal Debt Collection Lawsuits.

BANKRUPTCY

FORECLOSURE

UNCONTESTED DIVORCE

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Des Moines, Iowa Best Bankruptcy Attorneys

Name: Marks Law Firm.
Address: 4225 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311, US
Telephone: (515) 276-7211

Whether you need a foreclosure attorney, consumer protection lawyer, uncontested divorce lawyer, or bankruptcy expert, Marks Law Firm is here to help.

The team at Marks Law Firm in Des Moines has served Iowa for over eighty years! That’s almost a century of serving the community of Des Moines and its surrounding areas. You can be assured that when it comes to your bankruptcy needs, our attorneys and support staff will work diligently to get the best outcome.

While Marks Law Firm is famously the best place to consult for bankruptcy, we are also experts specializing in foreclosure law and consumer protection law with a history of great success. On top of all that, our team is also equipped to resolve uncontested divorce. If you have a case falling into any of these practice areas or any questions concerning your unique situation, don’t hesitate to get in contact via phone or email, whichever is most convenient for you! Learn More

Meet Our Team

Best Bankruptcy Lawyer In Des Moines, IA

Samuel Marks

(ATTORNEY)

Zach Noonan

(LAW CLERK)

Aubrey Williams

(LAW CLERK)

Natalie Hamacher

(LAW CLERK)

Ava Severs

(LAW CLERK)

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you are considering bankruptcy and you are an individual or a sole proprietor with a regular source of income, you may want to look into chapter 13 bankruptcy. This type of bankruptcy is for those who can afford to repay some of their debts. Usually, clients of a chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer need help to reorganize their debts into an affordable repayment plan. Through the Chapter 13 bankruptcy process, the individual who files the bankruptcy case proposes a repayment plan to address their outstanding debts. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy usually allows for a three or five-year plan. To find out information on the specific details of your potential chapter 13 payment plan, you will need to speak to a qualified chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer. A chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer at Marks Law Firm will calculate your income, assets, debts, and other factors to discover the best possible payment plan you can use to get your finances under control again. - Learn More about Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is often helpful for those who wish to eliminate as much debt as possible without having to pay much of it back. It's meant to give a "fresh start" to both individuals and businesses. Like other bankruptcies, it involves filing out lots of forms and neatly documenting many records. There are also many deadlines for the filings of various requirements, including over 50 pages of bankruptcy forms. With a chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer's help, you won't have to stress about completing these exhaustive forms, remembering the deadlines for filings, and organizing all the paperwork. As it has for many others, our service will make the entire process much more manageable. - Learn More about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Client Testimonials

“Highly recommend!!!! Googled consumer protection lawyer in Des Moines. We called and discussed our situation. Sam advised us with recommended next steps and invited us to call them after following. Followed their advice. Called a second time within 2 hours and offered advice again. Excellent response time with phone, email correspondence. Clean and Simple with excellent professionalism. Hope to never need to call them again; however with similar situations, they will be 1st and only call if needed. Many thanks to their team and especially Mark. We are very appreciative of their advice!!!!”

– Mandy R.

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What Are Some Bankruptcy Options Available In Iowa?

Those who are struggling with debt may be able to find relief through Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This process involves creating a repayment plan approved by the court and can be a good option for those who have a steady income. For individuals who do not have a stable income or who wish to completely eliminate unsecured loans, credit card debts, or medical bills, a chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer from Marks Law Firm may be the most useful option.

Continue reading to get a better idea of all the bankruptcy options you have with Marks Law Firm in Des Moines, lA. We also help with foreclosure and consumer protection!

Will I Lose Everything If I Go Bankrupt?

There are many myths and misconceptions about bankruptcy. One common belief is that you will lose all of your possessions if you declare bankruptcy. However, this is not the case. Federal and state laws protect certain assets, such as your home, from creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. The exemption amount and types of exempt assets vary from state to state. In Iowa, for example, your home is often exempt regardless of its value.

As long as your property is less than half an acre within city limits or 40 acres outside of city limits, you can protect it with bankruptcy. In addition, up to $7,000 in equity in a motor vehicle may also be exempt. There are other exemptions available to those filing for bankruptcy in Iowa. To know all the exemptions you may qualify for, it’s necessary to speak with a skilled bankruptcy lawyer before you attempt to file for bankruptcy alone.

Bankruptcy In Iowa: Will You Need A Lawyer?

Technically, it’s possible to file bankruptcy without professional representation. However, it’s strongly recommended that you work with an experienced Des Moines lawyer to resolve your financial troubles. Not only will it save you stress in the short-term, but it can avoid serious long-term implications if you make a mistake. Filing “pro se” means that you file a bankruptcy case without the assistance of a bankruptcy attorney.

Bankruptcy is a serious process that should not be taken lightly. If you choose to file for bankruptcy without the help of an experienced attorney, you will be held to the same high standards as those with extensive experience and a license to practice Iowa bankruptcy law. This means that ignorance of the law will not excuse any mistakes made in your bankruptcy case, and you could be charged with perjury if you are found to have lied (or made a mistake) in your filings.

How To Find Us?

Address: 4225 University Avenue, Des Moines, lA 50311

Phone: (515) 276-7211 (I Offer Free Phone Consultations)

Office Hours:
Office Hours:

MON - THU (8am - 4pm)
FRI (8am - 3pm)
SAT - SUN (Closed)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Will I have to go to court for my divorce?

Each divorce is unique but generally in an uncontested divorce you will never have to step foot in the courthouse. We actually enjoy going to court, it’s the parking that we hate!

Q:What happens if we reconcile and no longer want to get divorced?

If you come to this decision before the judgement granting your divorce has been entered, we can submit the proper forms to dismiss the divorce. If you come to this decision after the judgment granting your divorce has been entered, then you are already legally divorced and will have to get remarried.

Q:What are the benefits of an uncontested divorce?

There are many benefits to an uncontested divorce. For starters, consider the cost, time, control, and emotional toll. An uncontested divorce can help you save on expenses having to pay less fees due to less work needing to be done. You will save on time because you will not have to go through the necessary steps of a trial through the courts. You will have more control over your divorce because you will be mutually agreeing to the division of your assets and custody or visitation of your children. Most importantly, an uncontested divorce can save you and your family from the headaches and heartaches that often occur during a divorce trial.

Q:Can I get divorced more quickly with an uncontested divorce?

Generally, yes. Uncontested divorces go much quicker than contested divorces. An uncontested divorce will take anywhere from 90-120 days. A contested divorce can take anywhere from 9-12 months due to the need for additional paperwork and discovery, trial preparation and the court’s availability.

Q:Will you be representing both me and my spouse?

No. The ethical rules that govern lawyers say that we cannot represent both of you. This is to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Our office will only represent one party. We will happily work with both parties to determine the right options for your specific case and to decide who we will be representing. Oftentimes, one party will go unrepresented in an uncontested divorce, though sometimes it may be best for both parties to be represented depending on the case.

I Offer Free Phone Consultations