how to file bankruptcy without a lawyer in michigan

How do I file bankruptcy in Michigan?

 · You pass the means test. You need to make under the average yearly income in your state to qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You need to be making less money to file for Chapter 7 than you do for Chapter 13. To file for Chapter 7 in Detroit, your household income has to be equal to or lower than $51,411 per year for a household of one, equal to or …

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in NY?

 · However, corporations must be represented by counsel, except in certain limited instances. (See Local Rule 9010-1). The judges, judges’ staff, clerk and clerk’s staff are not permitted to provide legal advice. However, if you are seeking general information about the bankruptcy process, please contact the Help Desk at (313) 234-0065.

Can I file bankruptcy in Michigan if I live downstate?

 · Who can file for bankruptcy? It is certainly possible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without an attorney. After all, there is no legal obligation for you to have one to file bankruptcy. But you should probably only file without an attorney if your filing a simple Chapter 7 case, as we’ll explain below. In

Can I file Chapter 7 bankruptcy without an attorney?

 ·

How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost in Michigan?

Generally, at the end of that initial consultation the attorney you meet with will discuss their costs for filing your Chapter 7 in Michigan. The cost of a Michigan bankruptcy lawyer for Chapter 7 starts around $1,000 and can go up higher (around $1,500) depending on the complexity of your case. You can find out more specifics about attorney fees in Michigan.

How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy in Michigan?

No other method of payment (such as a credit or debit card) is accepted. The current filing fee cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan is $338, which is applicable to anyone who earns above 150% of the poverty line; estimated as $1,561.25 per month (for a single person), or $3,218.75 per month (for a family of 4).. If you fall under this amount you have the opportunity when filing Chapter 7 in Michigan to petition to have the filing fee waived. The fee waiver application will be reviewed by the court pursuant to Michigan bankruptcy laws. If they grant your fee waiver, you will not need to pay. If they deny it, you will still have the option to apply to make your filing fee payment in installments. Please note, however, that if you are paying in installments, and your case is dismissed for any reason before you have completed your payments, you will not be entitled to a refund.

How much is the homestead exemption in Michigan?

Additionally, if you are over 65 years of age or disabled you can increase the Michigan state homestead exemption to $57,350. If you are filing bankruptcy in Michigan and you have a lot of equity in your home you should absolutely consider using the Michigan state exemptions rather than the federal exemptions.

What happens after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan?

After filing your paperwork officially with the court you will be assigned a Chapter 7 trustee to oversee your Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan. Once you have the necessary contact information,you will need to collect and send your documents to your trustee according to their specifications.

Why is Michigan bankruptcy so robust?

In fact, because Michigan bankruptcy is so robust the District Courts have a lot of resources available for people who decide to file on their own, also known as filing “pro se.”.

How long does it take to get a bankruptcy certificate in Michigan?

Under Michigan bankruptcy laws, the certificate of completion for this course is due within 60 days from your 341 hearing date. We recommend doing this sooner rather than later so it does not get forgotten. This certification will come from the agency and will need to be directly filed with the court.

What is the Michigan personal property exemption?

Michigan Personal Property Exemptions, 600.5451 - Clothing; household goods, furniture, jewelry, appliances, utensils and books, up to a value of $600 per item, and a total value of $3,825; food and fuel to last six months; family pictures; church pew, slip or seat up to $650 for the entire family (cannot double); professionally prescribed health aids; household pets up to $650; crops, feed and animals up to $2,550; computer and accessories up to $650; burial plots and burial rights.

Can you keep your house after filing for bankruptcy?

But don’t worry, you can still keep your house before, during, and after you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as long as you stay current on your mortgage payments. In Michigan, you can protect your home from creditors, so be sure to declare this when you fill out these files for bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy enables you to continue paying your mortgage instead of using that money to pay off other debts, including debt on credit cards

Does bankruptcy wipe out priority debt?

Bankruptcy really helps give you a “fresh-start” by wiping out many kinds of debt. But it does not wipe out priority debt. Priority debt refers to debts that get paid first as soon as money is available to creditors. Priority debts do not get wiped out when you file for bankruptcy.

Can a judge give legal advice?

The judges, judges’ staff, clerk and clerk’s staff are not permitted to provide legal advice. However, if you are seeking general information about the bankruptcy process, please contact the Help Desk at (313) 234-0065.

Do you need a credit counseling certificate before filing for bankruptcy?

Before you file bankruptcy you MUST obtain a credit counseling certificate. If you do not, your case will be dismissed

How does bankruptcy work in Michigan?

The bankruptcy process falls under federal law, not Michigan state law, and it works by unwinding the contracts between you and your creditors —that's what gives you a fresh start.

How long does it take for creditors to stop bothering you after filing bankruptcy in Michigan?

After Filing for Bankruptcy in Michigan. Your creditors will stop bothering you soon after you file. It takes a few days because the court mails your creditors notice of the "automatic stay" order that prevents most creditors from continuing to ask you to pay them. Here's what will happen next:

How does bankruptcy start?

Your case starts when you file your paperwork with the local bankruptcy court and either pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver.

How many bankruptcy districts are there in Michigan?

Your case starts when you file your paperwork with the local bankruptcy court and either pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver. Michigan has two bankruptcy districts—Eastern and Western. Each has multiple locations serving various geographical areas.

How long do you have to complete credit counseling before filing?

Trustee website also lists providers under "Credit Counseling & Debtor Education." Scroll down until you get to your district. And don't give up—it's a long list. (Individuals must complete credit counseling during the 180 days before filing for bankruptcy and a debt management course after filing the bankruptcy case.)

How much can you protect in Michigan?

You'll be able to protect up to $40,475 in equity in your residence. If you are over 65 or disabled, the limit increases to $60,725. Spouses filing together cannot double these amounts. (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 600.5451 (1) (m).)

What chapter do you file in the book?

Most people file either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you don't know the differences between the two, you're not alone. The short explanation below and our handy Chapter 7 versus 13 chart will help clear things up.

What type of bankruptcy is filed in Michigan?

Individuals or couples in Michigan, who claim bankruptcy, will elect to file under Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Want to know the difference? Look below for more information

How many people file for bankruptcy?

If you are thinking “ Can I File Bankruptcy? ” you are surprisingly not alone. Just under a million people file bankruptcy each year in the United States. Bankruptcy is a device established by the US Government to help struggling Americans find relief from substantial debt. You may want to consider filing bankruptcy if it’s best for you.

How does bankruptcy work?

It is started by an individual filing a Petition with their nearest bankruptcy court. The Petition can be filed by an individual or by spouses jointly. When the bankruptcy is over, the filer will ‘exit’ with a fresh new start.

What is the purpose of the Bankruptcy Means Test?

The goal of the Bankruptcy Means Test is to determine who is eligible to apply for debt forgiveness through a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. It considers your:

What are the causes of financial hardship?

The most common reasons include heavy debt, sudden unemployment, divorce, foreclosure, or serious illness.

Can you lose all assets in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Again, unless you are filing a complex Chapter 13 case, you will lose all assets associated with a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy protection. You will, however, be able to prevent any and all collections from occurring as long as they were incurred before the date of filing and discharge.

Can a Chapter 7 proceeding be easy?

A simple Chapter 7 proceeding that doesn’t have a lot of debtors or assets may be easy to manage on your own.

How to help a bankruptcy lawyer?

The following is a list of ways your lawyer can help you with your case. Advise you on whether to file a bankruptcy petition. Advise you under which chapter to file. Advise you on whether your debts can be discharged. Advise you on whether or not you will be able to keep your home, car, or other property after you file.

What is a non-attorney petition preparer?

Non-attorney Petition Preparers. If you file bankruptcy pro se, you may be offered services by non-attorney petition preparers. By law, preparers can only enter information into forms. They are prohibited from providing legal advice, explaining answers to legal questions, or assisting you in bankruptcy court.

Is bankruptcy free to the public?

Bankruptcy Forms are available to the public free of charge.

Can you file bankruptcy under Chapter 7?

Filing personal bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 takes careful preparation and understanding of legal issues. Misunderstandings of the law or making mistakes in the process can affect your rights. Court employees and bankruptcy judges are prohibited by law from offering legal advice.