If debt is keeping you up at night in Sioux Falls, you have options. Severin Law Firm helps people across the Sioux Falls area file Chapter 7 bankruptcy without taking time off work to sit in a law office. We handle everything by phone, video, and e-signature, so you can get a fresh start without fighting traffic on Louise Avenue. Attorney Tom Severin is licensed in South Dakota and admitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota.
Filing Bankruptcy in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is home to the main clerk’s office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota, at the federal courthouse on South Phillips Avenue downtown. Most bankruptcies are filed electronically, though, so you won’t need to go there. The meeting of creditors, the one required meeting in a Chapter 7 case, is held by Zoom in South Dakota. For most of our Sioux Falls clients, the whole case happens from the kitchen table.
Common Reasons Sioux Falls Residents File
We hear the same stories again and again:
- Medical bills. Even with insurance, a hospital stay or ongoing treatment can create debt that takes years to pay down.
- Credit card debt. Sioux Falls is home to some of the country’s biggest credit card operations, but a creditor’s local presence doesn’t change your rights. Credit card balances are usually fully dischargeable in Chapter 7.
- Job loss or reduced hours. A layoff or cut hours can make it impossible to keep up.
- Divorce. Splitting one household into two often leaves both people with more debt than they can handle.
- Garnishments and lawsuits. Once a creditor gets a judgment, wage garnishment can follow quickly. Filing bankruptcy stops most garnishments right away.
Protecting Your Home and Property
Many Sioux Falls homeowners worry they’ll lose their house. South Dakota’s homestead exemption protects your home’s equity with no dollar cap, as long as the lot is no more than one acre within city limits. Most homes in Sioux Falls, Brandon, Harrisburg, and Tea fit easily within that limit. Retirement accounts, clothing, household essentials, and a set amount of other property are also protected. Learn more about South Dakota bankruptcy exemptions.
Serving the Greater Sioux Falls Area
We work with clients throughout Minnehaha and Lincoln counties and the surrounding area, including Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea, Hartford, Canton, Dell Rapids, Brookings, Madison, Mitchell, Yankton, and Vermillion. Because we’re a virtual firm, it doesn’t matter how far you are from downtown.
Why Work With a Virtual Bankruptcy Firm?
- Save time. No commute, no parking, no waiting rooms.
- Save money. Lower overhead means lower fees.
- Stay private. No one sees you walking into a bankruptcy lawyer’s office.
- Talk to the attorney. You work directly with Tom from start to finish.
Sioux Falls Bankruptcy FAQs
Do I need a lawyer based in Sioux Falls? No. What matters is that your attorney is admitted to practice before the South Dakota bankruptcy court, and Tom Severin is. Cases are filed electronically and creditor meetings are held by Zoom, so your lawyer’s office location doesn’t affect your case.
How soon will the collection calls stop? As soon as your case is filed, the automatic stay takes effect. Most creditors must stop calling, suing, and garnishing your wages.
Can I file if I’m behind on my mortgage? Yes, but Chapter 7 alone usually won’t save a home that’s already in foreclosure. If you’re behind on your mortgage, we’ll talk through whether Chapter 7 or another option makes more sense.
Get a Free Consultation
Call 701-433-1411 or request a free consultation online. We’ll review your situation and let you know whether Chapter 7 is right for you.
Related: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in South Dakota · Rapid City Bankruptcy Attorney · South Dakota Bankruptcy Exemptions
Disclaimer: This page is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
