Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
In Dearborn Heights, Michigan, bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person or business has some or all of their debts legally excused, when they are unable to pay them. This hopefully allows them to start over with a clean slate and move on, after having learned to better manage their use of credit in the process. However, bankruptcy should not be treated as a way to avoid debt that one simply doesn't feel like paying. It is meant to be a safety net for people or businesses who are truly unable to pay off their debts. Because bankruptcy is not without negative consequences (such as a severely damaged credit rating for many years afterward), it should be viewed as an option of last resort.
Accordingly, it might be a good idea to consult with a Dearborn Heights, Michigan bankruptcy attorney. Your lawyer will be able to counsel you about your options, including alternatives to bankruptcy, if such alternatives exist in your case. Whatever the result, it is often difficult to foresee the long-term consequences of any bankruptcy-related decisions, so the advice of a bankruptcy in Dearborn Heights could prove invaluable.
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Types of Bankruptcy in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
In Dearborn Heights, Michigan, there are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used. They are known as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Being a product of federal law, the procedural rules governing bankruptcy in Dearborn Heights, Michigan will be very similar to those in any other part of the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her assets in order to pay off as much debt as possible. Once the sale of the assets is complete, and the proceeds handed over to the creditors, the debt is viewed as discharged. Liquidation is basically selling assets to the highest bidder. Not all of the debtor's assets will need to be sold, and many types of property are totally or partially exempt, including homes, cars, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. This means that the debtor can keep them. It should be noted that some types of debts are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, criminal fines, taxes, and child support payments. Even when the bankruptcy process is complete, these debts will have to be paid in full.
Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Dearborn Heights, most of the debtor's debt is not discharged. Instead, the bankruptcy court, working with the debtor and participating creditors, work out a payment plan that allows the debtor to pay off most of his or her debts over a longer period of time, thereby theoretically making the debt far more manageable. Once a payment plan is approved by the court, creditors are prohibited from attempting to collect payment under their original agreements that gave rise to the debt in the first place. Although it can be used by individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is used almost exclusively by businesses. Not unlike Chapter 13, Chapter 11 focuses on restructuring of debt, rather than discharging it. Chapter 11 requries that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan designed to reduce debt and cut costs. Before being implemented, this plan must be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.
One advantage of Chapter 11 bankrutpcy is that it allows a business going through it to continue operations, and to trade its stock.
How Can a Dearborn Heights Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?
One should not make the decision to file for bankruptcy in Dearborn Heights lightly. Before making any such decision, it would be highly adviseable to contact an experienced Dearborn Heights bankruptcy attorney.
There are 39 Bankruptcy, Banking and Credit cases posted in Dearborn Heights
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Bankruptcy Attorneys in the Largest MI Cities
Life in Dearborn Heights
Dearborn Heights is in Wayne County, which is in the Detroit metropolitan area. The city has a population of about 57,774 people.Some history behind Dearborn Heights is that it formed from the two sections of the Dearborn Township and a small part of the village of Inkster. It was incorporated on March 4, 1960. Surrounding areas include the Ecorse River and the Rouge River.
The city is home to attorneys who practice law in many areas of practice. These attorneys work in small law offices and law firms. They focus on providing personalized legal services to residents and local businesses.
