Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Battle Creek, Michigan

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Battle Creek, MI

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Bankruptcy is a legal procedure allowing a person or business to have their debts excused, in part or in whole. It is typically treated as a last resort, because, while it can prevent financial catastrophe, it has some influential long-term consequences. This warrants careful consideration of the costs and benefits. Being a product of federal law, bankruptcy will go through federal courts. Accordingly, the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in Michigan is basically the same as the procedure anywhere else in the United States. However, individual courts in Battle Creek, Michigan will have distinct rules for exemptions, so you should speak with a local attorney before filing.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Battle Creek, Michigan

There are 2 typical types of bankruptcy in Battle Creek, Michigan. They are known as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 involves liquidation of some of a debtor's assets. It requires that a certain percentage of the debtor's property to be sold to pay off as much debt as possible. The majority of property that most people own, however, is exempt. This typically includes homes, vehicles, retirement accounts, and others. These are not available to creditors.

Once all non-exempt assets are sold, and the money from the sales turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is excused. But some types of debt cannot be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. These include child support payments, student loans, and criminal fines, among others. If most of your Battle Creek, Michigan debts are not dischargeable, you might want to consider options other than bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Battle Creek, Michigan

In Battle Creek, Michigan, Chapter 13 is substantially different from Chapter 7. Chapter 13 may or may not be the best choice for you; this depends on the facts of your specific situation. Chapter 13 does not absolve any debt, but it creates a new payment plan that should give the debtor some breathing room. Usually, all of the debts are consolidated into 1 periodic payment. While this might make it take longer to pay off the debt, if the debtor is willing to make a few sacrifices, the plan should be manageable.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Battle Creek, Michigan

Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends heavily on the facts of each distinct case. If you have a steady stream of income (enough to make a payment plan manageable), and a large amount of non-exempt property that you don't want to part with, Chapter 13 may be best for you. If you don't have a steady income or large amounts of non-exempt property, you may be better off filing for Chapter 7.

In any case, it would be a good idea to consult a local bankruptcy Attorney in Battle Creek, Michigan. Your Attorney can make an educated judgment as to what your best option is, and advise you accordingly (of course, the choice to file for bankruptcy is ultimately yours).

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Life in Battle Creek

Battle Creek is located in Calhoun County, Michigan. Per the 2010 census, 52,347 call people call Battle Creek home. The city's nickname is "Cereal City" because the Kellogg Company headquarters and corporate location of Post Cereals is in Battle Creek. Also, Battle Creek is the third largest city in Michigan, after Detroit and Grand Rapids.

The city's largest employers include Kellogg, Harte-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, Denso, Battle Creek Health System, Battle Creek VA Medical Center, the school district, ASMO Manufacturing, and the Michigan Air National Guard. To support these employers, as well as residents, Battle Creek is also home to law firms that train excellent attorneys who focus on providing the best legal services.

Some great sites to check out in Battle Creek is the Bailey Park C.O. Brown Stadium, Binder Park Zoo, Firekeepers Casino, Full Blast Outdoor Water Park, W.K. Kellogg Manor House, Kimball House Museum, Kingman Museum and Planetarium, Leila Arboretum, Linear Park, and Willard Beach and Park.

Overall, Battle Creek is a wonderful place to live and visit!