Michigan Western District Bankruptcy Guide and Forms Package for Chapters 7 or 13

Identifying Information. The Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy form acts as the cover sheet for your paperwork. Your Property. Your Exempt Property. Your Collateralized Debt. Your Other Debt. Your Contracts and Leases. Your Codebtors. Your Income.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to relieve you of unsecured debts, such as medical expenses. There is no rule that requires you to use a lawyer to file a petition. You can do the filing yourself, which is called pro se, but we recommend that you do your research first.

There is no threshold amount that you need to reach to file a bankruptcy. Some chapters of bankruptcy have debt limits, but there is no such thing as a debt minimum. That being said, you certainly can and should evaluate if filing a bankruptcy makes sense in your current situation.

What Documents Do You Need to File for Bankruptcy? Tax Returns. Income Documentation. Vehicle Registration, Proof of Value & Insurance. Retirement And Bank Account Statements. Identification. What Information Do You Need to Complete the Bankruptcy Forms? Credit Counseling Requirement.

Collect Your Michigan Bankruptcy Documents. Take Credit Counseling. Complete the Bankruptcy Forms. Get Your Filing Fee. Print Your Bankruptcy Forms. Go to Court to File Your Forms. Mail Documents to Your Trustee. Take Bankruptcy Course 2.

Get Your Filing Fee 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)..

Analyze your debt. Determine your property exemptions. Make sure you are eligible. Redeem or reaffirm secured debts. Fill out the bankruptcy forms. Take a credit counseling course. File the forms. Pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver.

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. Advise you of the tax consequences of filing.

If you earn less than the median household of the same size in Michigan, you pass the Chapter 7 Means Test.If, after going through the full calculation, you find little or no disposable income remaining, you are also qualified to file your Michigan bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.