The biggest difference between a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13 is that in a 13 you repay a portion of your unsecured debt. In a Chapter 7, your unsecured debt is discharged. The 3 primary reasons why people file Chapter 13 are as follows: 1. Their household income exceeds the median income for their…

Effective March 15, 2011, the Median Income figures for Michigan will change as follows: 1 person:           $42,562 UP FROM         $41,875. 2 persons:         $50,738 DOWN FROM   $52,433 3 persons:         $60,161 DOWN FROM   $61,517 4 persons:         $71,158 DOWN FROM   $74,558 5 persons:         $79,258 DOWN FROM   $82,058 6 persons:         $86,758 DOWN…

If you get sued by a creditor, you have to be aware of some basic civil procedure rules. The first thing to do is to make a note of the date that you are served. If you are served by personal service, you have 21 days to respond to the complaint. If you are served…

Absolutely not. Leave it to the US Congress to just muck up the process with ridiculous course requirements that teach you nothing and a means test that can only be understood by the Einstein’s of the world. Here are the cold hard facts – these are the actual filings in the Eastern District of Michigan:…

If you inherit assets within 180 days of filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, those assets become part of your bankruptcy estate. Make sure that you talk to a competent bankruptcy lawyer before you accept any assets by inheritance.

If you get divorced within 180 days of filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, any property that you acquire through a property settlement agreement becomes property of your bankruptcy estate.  Make sure that you carefully review your exemption allowance analysis to make sure that you don’t inadvertently ad non exempt assets that will be seized by…

Yes. You can demand that a creditor return any money that is garnished within 90 days of your filing for bankruptcy. The creditor’s taking of the money would constitute a voidable preference and you are entitled to receive that money. If the creditor does not voluntarily disgorge your money, you can sue them to recover…