Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLPTelpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP2026-07-21T14:38:50Zhttps://www.telpnerlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1303461/2023/08/cropped-tp-site-icon-gold-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson Attorneys Selected to the 2025 Great Plains Super Lawyers List]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=472052025-05-20T18:13:44Z2025-05-20T18:13:44ZChuck Smith and Nicole Hughes for being chosen to be part of the 2025 Great Plains Super Lawyers list. Chuck has been selected for 17 years and Nicole for 6 years!
Our attorneys are proud to be selected by Super Lawyers for exhibiting excellence in practice as only 5% of lawyers in the Great Plains receive this distinction.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Is there financial relief in sight for farmers?]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=470312024-12-18T20:10:12Z2024-12-18T20:10:12ZFarmers in Iowa face significant financial challenges.
While there has been a slight improvement in livestock margins for 2024, the high costs of inputs coupled with prices for row crops remaining below breakeven levels suggest that margins could be the worst they've been in nearly two decades.
Economic downturns and trade issues have hit farmers in Iowa particularly hard. Iowa's farm debt is at its highest since the 1980s farm crisis. The state's farm bankruptcy rate has increased by 71 percent in recent years, putting Iowa in 39th place for farmers’ financial security in the United States.
What financial support is available for struggling farmers?
Thankfully, farmers do not have to bear these challenges alone. The USDA is offering an extra $250 million in financial assistance to struggling farmers. This support can provide immediate support to those who need it most.
The Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017 also improved the ways that farmers can handle debts through bankruptcy. This act made it easier and more helpful for family farmers to use Chapter 12 bankruptcy. It includes changes like making certain government claims forgivable and stopping government units from blocking a reorganization plan. This allows farmers a path toward debt relief that is structured for their specific income and operations.
The agricultural sector in the United States is grappling with many financial challenges. However, there are ways to get help and support. By taking proactive steps and exploring all available options, farmers can work towards more financially stable future.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson is recognized in Best Law Firms rankings!]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=470122024-11-08T20:44:35Z2024-11-08T20:40:59Z
We are pleased to announce that Telpner Peterson is recognized for excellence in the 2025 Edition of the Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” rankings. Telpner Peterson was acknowledged in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation in the Omaha metropolitan area. Best Lawyers’ rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process, including client feedback, peer review, industry leader interviews and detailed analysis of law firm data. Congratulations, [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"].]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson Announces a New Associate Attorney]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=470072026-06-17T19:46:36Z2024-10-15T21:54:09Z
Emily J. Dean received her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in May 2024 after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Political Science from the University of St. Thomas. Emily passed the July 2024 bar examination and is currently practicing in the areas of real estate, wills and probate, and bankruptcy.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[How To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=470052024-09-24T19:57:57Z2024-09-24T19:55:08Zdebt among young adults has escalated, now totaling $1.12 trillion for those between 18 and 29 years old. Bankruptcy filings have surged by 50% since hitting a 24-year low in early 2022.
Rising interest rates have driven up minimum credit card payments, making it even harder for people to keep up with their financial obligations.
Here are some of the most common reasons for excessive credit card debt:
Understanding these reasons can help you see why credit card debt is such a widespread issue.
When Should I Do Something About My Debt?
If you're wondering whether it's time to take action on your credit card balances, here are some signs that it might be unmanageable:
Minimum payments on cards consume most of your income
High credit card balances
Using credit cards for necessities and maxing them out
Constantly near or over credit limits and needing to live paycheck to paycheck
Receiving collection calls or notices
Having a debt-to-income ratio over 43%
Addressing your debt sooner rather than later can prevent you from falling for scams and “quick fixes” that can do more harm than good. It’s also essential to know your rights when it comes to debt collection.
How Debt Affects Credit Scores
A credit score is a number that reflects your creditworthiness, usually on a scale from 300 to 850. Scores above 700 are often considered good, and those over 800 are viewed as excellent. The majority of consumers have credit scores that range from 600 to 750.
Two primary types of credit scores exist: VantageScore and FICO. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with a good score between 670 and 739. VantageScore's newer models also use a 300 to 850 range, with 661 to 780 considered good.
Debt significantly influences your credit score. High balances and missed payments can lower your score, making qualifying for loans and credit cards with favorable terms harder.
To maintain and recover from poor credit, focus on making timely payments, keeping credit card balances low, opening accounts that report to credit bureaus and only applying for credit when needed.
How To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt Using Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal process that can help you eliminate or repay debt under the protection of the bankruptcy court. Individuals typically consider two main types of bankruptcy.
Here are the main features of both methods:
If you need professional help to resolve your financial issues, including complex bankruptcy cases requiring litigation, contact us online or call 712-309-3738 to schedule a free consultation at our Council Bluffs office.
Under the Bankruptcy Code, our debt relief attorneys help people file for bankruptcy relief and advise on the best plan to relieve debt depending on your situation.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson’s Attorneys Again Selected by Best Lawyers]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=470012025-06-13T15:55:59Z2024-08-19T21:44:41Zrecognized in 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®.
Smith and Hughes were again selected by The Best Lawyers in America for their work in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law / and Litigation – Bankruptcy. Smith has been recognized since 1997 and Hughes since 2024.
Flaten was included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for the second time for his professional excellence in the area of Real Estate Law.
Both publications use peer reviews to evaluate attorneys. These awards symbolize legal expertise and the highest caliber of ethics and professionalism. Congratulations to our lawyers!]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Attorney Nicole Hughes 5 Years Super Lawyers]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=469632024-06-06T17:30:00Z2024-06-06T17:30:00ZNicole Hughes who has been selected to Super Lawyers for the past 5 years. It is important to our firm to provide client-focused legal services and are proud to celebrate when these efforts are recognized.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson Promotes Flaten to Partner]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=468902024-01-02T13:57:28Z2024-01-02T13:57:28ZJohn Flaten to the position of partner with the firm. John graduated with his Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business and his Juris Doctorate from University of South Dakota School of Law in 2014. He is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Iowa and Nebraska. John primarily focuses his practice on business law, real estate, wills and probate, and elder law.
Congratulations, John!]]>by Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson Now Offers Mediation Services]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=468872023-12-18T16:38:52Z2023-12-18T16:35:57Zmediation services. Nicole Hughes has completed 40 hours of mediation training and is certified by Iowa Mediation Service, Inc.
Mediation is a dispute resolution process where parties meet with the assistance of a neutral third-party facilitator to discover options and negotiate a solution to their disagreement. It offers several advantages over litigation. Mediation is a less expensive, faster, and more flexible approach to solving legal disputes.
As a trained and certified mediator, Nicole Hughes can help parties resolve disputes in a variety of areas, including child custody, divorce, personal injury, and debtor-creditor. She will help parties work toward a mutually acceptable solution.
If you have a legal dispute you would like to try and resolve before resorting to litigation, please reach out to Nicole Hughes for more information.]]>On Behalf of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP<![CDATA[Telpner Peterson again identified in Best Law Firms rankings!]]>https://www.telpnerlaw.com/?p=468772023-11-09T21:31:23Z2023-11-09T21:31:23ZBankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation in the Omaha metropolitan area.
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based on the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms. Congratulations, Telpner Peterson!]]>