I Have Never Felt Stress That Great Before
I have never felt stress that great before. It seemed like it was not going to get better. I tried several ways to control my debt. Setting up payment arrangements and talking to creditors that just seemed like they didn’t care. Then all of a sudden when things couldn’t get worse I lost my job.
I knew then that I needed to get rid of my debt. There was just no way I could control my financial situation any longer. I went and hired this one attorney (I will not mention any names) but it was a total disaster. Not to mention that she took my money but I never went to court and they lost all of my paper work. By this time I had a garnishment granted against me and two other judgments pending.
I knew that I couldn’t wait, so I happened to just be looking online and noticed the law offices of Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC. I decided to give them a try. Their location was close and their website made it very easy for me to understand the Bankruptcy process. Once I made my appointment and had my first visit I was very impressed.
The attorneys made me feel welcomed and made me feel like I should not be embarrassed about my financial situation and that I needed to do something about it. The fee was reasonable and they also let me have a payment plan. Once I was done paying my case was immediately filed. The creditors harassing phone calls stopped and so did my garnishment.
Not only did I go to court within a month, I received all of my garnishment money back. I am just waiting on my discharge papers. I would advise anyone to go to Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC.
– Mikaela (Detroit)
Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC Instills Confidence in Its Clients
At first I was very nervous, but Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC made me feel at ease and confident that everything will work out just fine. If I had to go through this again, I would call Ardelean & Dunne in a heartbeat!
– Karen (Detroit)
Why Hire A Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyer?
In the United States, the bankruptcy process can be filled with complicated twists and turns. While you can technically file for bankruptcy on your own, in the overwhelming number of situations, this is a really bad idea.
There are several filing requirements that, if not met, could jeopardize your ability to obtain bankruptcy protection. These requirements include forms being processed and the meeting of various deadlines throughout the bankruptcy proceeding.
Typically, the most important reason to hire a bankruptcy lawyer is to make sure that you are selecting the correct bankruptcy option for your situation. The Code provides various chapters under which to file. Your bankruptcy lawyer can guide you into the most appropriate chapter for your situation.
Ardelean & Dunne Works Quickly
I was very satisfied with Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC’s services. They took care of everything extremely quickly – and when they said they would.
The lawyers were easy to deal with and very respectful. They made a hard time easy on me.
If anyone has to choose a bankruptcy lawyer, I will recommend them to contact you.
– Valerie (Detroit)
Ardelean & Dunne – Professional & Understanding.
This law firm was very professional and understanding. It was very helpful and friendly, too!
– Michelle (Hazel Park)
United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District Of Michigan 2010 Statistics
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan lists the court’s filing statistics over the last several years.
So far, in 2010 the numbers look like this:
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Totals | |
| January | 2912 | 16 | 0 | 622 | 3550 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 3824 | 17 | 3 | 638 | 4482 |
| March | 5153 | 12 | 0 | 844 | 6009 |
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| Total Year | 11889 | 45 | 3 | 2104 | 14041 |
As you can see, bankruptcy filings in the Eastern District of Michigan have continued to rise at least for the first three months of the year.
While there is much talk of recovery and economic improvement, these statistics don’t support those conclusions.
Filing bankruptcy is a difficult decision that each individual or business must make for themselves. However, they don’t need to make it alone.
When you’re facing serious debt issues, like so many other Michigan residents, your best option is to discuss your situation with a local Michigan bankruptcy attorney.
What Property Can I Keep If I File For Bankruptcy In Michigan?
Generally speaking, Michigan debtors may select from one of two exemption schemes. Please be aware that amounts and exempted items are constantly changing and may not be the same in the future. You should refer to a Michigan bankruptcy lawyer or official Michigan state bankruptcy website for updated information.
Exemptions Under The First Option Debtors Generally Able To Keep:
- Your home, including co-op or mobile home, to $20,200
- Life insurance payments for person you depended on, needed for support
- Life insurance policy with loan value, in accrued dividends or interest to $10,775
- Unmatured life insurance contract, except credit insurance policy
- Alimony, child support needed for support
- Pensions and retirement benefits, ERISA – qualified benefits needed for support
- $550 per item in any household goods up to a total of $10,775
- Health aids
- Jewelry to $1,350
- Lost earnings payments
- Your motor vehicle to $3,225
- Personal injury compensation payments to $20,200, wrongful death payments, crime victims’ compensation, public assistance, Social Security, unemployment compensation, and veterans’ benefits
- Tools of trade up to $20,200
Under Michigan Exemption Option 2 Debtors Are Usually Able To Keep:
- Your home, if you do not have more than $34,450 ($51,650 if elderly or disabled) in equity in the house (today’s value less costs of sale less payoff balances on all liens and mortgages)
- Family pictures and clothing
- Food and fuel to last six months
- Household goods, furniture, appliances, utensils, books, up to $3,450 total (maximum $525 per item)
- Burial plots; church pew, slip, seat
- Crops, farm animals and feed for the farm animals to $2,300
- Food and fuel to last family for six months
- Arms and accouterments you’re required by law to keep
- Tools of trade and farm equipment, up to $2,300 in value
- Building and loan shares to $1,150 par value if you did not claim a homestead exemption
- Disability, mutual life and/or health benefits; fraternal benefit society benefits; and life, endowment or annuity proceeds if a clause in the policy prohibits the proceeds from being used to pay the beneficiary’s creditors
- Private retirement benefits
- ERISA-qualified pension benefits
- Public employees’ pensions
- Property of a business partnership
- Alimony and child support
- Crime victim’s compensation, veterans’, AFDC, social welfare, worker’s compensation and unemployment compensation benefits
- 60% of earned but unpaid wages (not less than $15 per week, plus $2 per week for each dependent) if you are a head of household with a family; 40% of earned but unpaid wages (not less than $10 per week) if you are not a head of household with a family
Please remember that these items and amounts are subject to change and may not be accurate at the time you read this post. To find out what the current exemptions and amounts are, please contact a Michigan bankruptcy law firm or an official Michigan state bankruptcy website.