Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Livonia, Michigan

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Livonia, MI

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In Livonia, Michigan, bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person or business has some or all of their debts legally cleared, 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. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a fitting way to get out of debt that you just don't feel like paying. Bankruptcy can have severe consequences, including but not limited to damage to your credit rating. A bad credit score can impact your ability to obtain loans in the future, to rent an apartment, and possibly even your ability to get hired at some jobs (as some employers now run credit checks on prospective employees).

Therefore, it is prudent to consult with an experienced Livonia, Michigan bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of the costs and benefits of bankruptcy. Because the decision to file for bankruptcy depends very heavily on the facts of each individual case, the advice of a Livonia bankruptcy attorney cannot be substituted.

Types of Bankruptcy in Livonia, Michigan

In Livonia, Michigan, there are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most frequently used. They are identified as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Being a product of federal law, the procedural rules governing bankruptcy in Livonia, 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 entirely 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 Livonia, 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 an extended period of time, therefore 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 requires that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan designed to reduce debt and cut costs. Before being enforced, this plan must be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.

One main advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows businesses to continue their operations while the process plays out. Moreover, their stock can still be bought and sold.

How Can a Livonia Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankruptcy in Livonia is a very important decision, and should not be made lightly. Before filing, one should consult with a good Livonia bankruptcy attorney for assistance.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Livonia

Livonia is located in Wayne County, Michigan. It is home to around 96,950 people, making this area a very large suburb.

Some of this large suburb's top employers include Comerica Bank, General Motors, The Harvard Drug Group, the school district, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, Sears, Roebuck Co., Technicolor Video Services, Tower International, TRW Automotive, and Valassis. Of course, to supports these large employers, Livonia has a competent legal force comprising of intelligent, driven attorneys who act in their clients' best interest at all times. As well as these businesses, the legal force also serves as a wonderful support to local residents with their respective legal matters.

Some famous people who have called Livonia home at some point include Bernie Carbo, Chris Conner, Mike Donnelly, Judy Greer, Mike Modano, David Moss, Aaron Palushaj, Chris Tancill, and Jonathan B. Wright.

Overall, Livonia is a large suburb that provides residents and visitors with small town charm and a community-like spirit!