Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Portage, Michigan

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Portage, MI

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In Portage, 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. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a convenient 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 receive 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 Portage, 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 Portage bankruptcy attorney cannot be substituted.

Types of Bankruptcy in Portage, Michigan

In Portage, Michigan, there are 3 types of bankruptcy in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Because bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, the procedures governing bankruptcy in Portage, Michigan will be similar anywhere else in the U.S. 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 Portage, 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. Though available to individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is mostly used by businesses. Like Chapter 13, Chapter 11 requires the restructuring of debts. Under this system, the debtor must come up with a plan to reduce debt, cut costs, and improve operations. Once this plan is proposed, it is submitted to the participating creditors, who must approve it by a majority vote before it can be implemented.

During the Chapter 11 process, a business can usually continue its operations, and the stock can be traded, even if it is de-listed from a major stock exchange.

How Can a Portage Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankrtuptcy in Portage is a major decision with costs and benefits that must be weighed carefully. Before filing, it would be a good idea to speak with a good Portage bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Portage

Portage is a Kalamazoo County city that incorporated as an official Michigan State city in 1963. There are roughly 45,000 Michigan State residents living in Portage which is known nationally for its fantastic network of well kept historical parks, trails, and other recreational areas. The bikeway system, constructed in 1989, totals over 50 miles long accessing nearly every portion of Portage. That's over five times the length of the city's expressways! The Kalamazoo Air Zoo, an aviation museum, is a popular attraction for visitors. Great restaurants like the Craftsman Chop Company, Fieldstone Grill, and Bravo Restaurant Café attract tourist and local clientele with their outstanding dishes. There are also plenty of chain restaurants within city limits. Shopping is also a Portage attraction. The Crossroads Mall is the largest retail center in all of Southwest Michigan providing shoppers with a wide range of choices. Some visitors opt to stay in the accommodations near the mall but there are also a number of other locally owned hotels available.

Portage serves as a somewhat major distribution center as a result of affordable warehousing and convenient location along major state highways. So much business is sure to attract plenty of professionals like lawyers. Portage lawyers can help you sort out whatever legal issue you may encounter and they also have experience with local Portage, Kalamazoo County, and Michigan State court procedures. Portage is a destination for so many different things like business and pleasure making it quite the rising star attraction in the State of Michigan.