Filing for bankruptcy can provide crucial financial relief when debts become overwhelming, but not everyone qualifies for this legal protection. Understanding the specific disqualifications can save you time, money, and frustration when considering this significant financial decision. Before exploring potential…
When creditors challenge your bankruptcy filing, it can feel like your fresh start just hit a legal roadblock. The good news is that creditor challenges aren’t automatic case killers, but they do require immediate attention and strategic response. Understanding your…
After years of watching that Chapter 7 bankruptcy notation drag down your credit score, you’re probably wondering exactly how much your score will improve once it finally disappears from your credit report. While every situation varies based on individual credit…
For years, student loan debt felt like a life sentence for many borrowers. The common belief was that these loans could never be eliminated through bankruptcy. However, recent changes to federal guidelines have opened new doors for struggling borrowers. If…
When a business faces significant financial difficulties, it may pursue bankruptcy to restructure or wind down its operations. However, as filing for bankruptcy can also affect a company’s workers, it’s important for the company’s leaders to get help from an…
People facing substantial debt can seek to pay off those debts by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding, you will need to develop a repayment plan that outlines how you will pay back your creditors during…
Have you gone through the bankruptcy process in Michigan in the past, only to find yourself once again struggling under the weight of unsustainable debts? If so, you might be wondering if you can file for bankruptcy again. The answer…
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy means liquidating your assets to generate money to pay down your debts, with remaining eligible debts discharged at the end of the bankruptcy case. However, state and federal law can protect some assets from liquidation…
For most types of loans, a borrower can have another person “co-sign” the loan with them. When another person co-signs a loan, such as a student loan, car loan, or credit card account, they agree to become equally responsible for…
If your business is getting buried under debt and you can’t see any way to get back on track, you may not have a lot of options left. When should a Michigan business consider filing for bankruptcy? If your business…
Facing bankruptcy as a business owner can be overwhelming. Whether your business faces high debt, low cash flow, or lawsuits from creditors, filing for bankruptcy can be both difficult and the right decision for your financial future. Choosing the right…
Creditors can challenge the discharge of some debts in a bankruptcy. If a creditor challenges your bankruptcy filing in Michigan, you could be liable for repayments. It could also jeopardize the entire bankruptcy case. A Michigan bankruptcy lawyer can assist…
Bankruptcy is a legal process that helps you eliminate or repay your debts under court supervision. While it can offer considerable relief, bankruptcy can also affect your credit report for years to come. A credit report shows your credit history,…
As part of its initiative to downsize the federal government and reduce government spending, the Trump Administration has made significant staffing cuts to numerous federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education. President Trump has also proposed to eliminate the…
Medical debts are among the leading causes of financial hardship in Michigan. When individuals struggle with overwhelming medical bills, they may feel like they have no other option but to file for bankruptcy. Before making this decision, it’s essential to…
Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows individuals and businesses struggling with debt to repay a portion of their debt and have the rest forgiven. The two most common forms of bankruptcy for individuals in Michigan are [Chapter 7 and…
When you file for bankruptcy in Michigan, you may worry about what will happen to your 401(k) or other retirement accounts, including whether you will have to use the funds in those accounts to repay your creditors in bankruptcy. A…
No, filing for bankruptcy in Michigan does not necessarily mean losing your house. Michigan’s bankruptcy laws include a homestead exemption, which protects the equity in your primary residence during bankruptcy and can help you keep your home. Under…
For many Michigan residents, bankruptcy is a way to get a fresh start when facing financial difficulties. One of the most common concerns for those contemplating bankruptcy is whether they’ll lose everything they own. The good news is that Michigan…
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal process that allows you to eliminate most of your unsecured debts by liquidating or selling off property. Under Michigan law, certain property qualifies as “exempt,” meaning you can keep it instead of…
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers you a chance to shed some of your burdensome debts and get a fresh start financially. However, this option isn’t available to everyone in Michigan. You have to meet certain rules to qualify for…
Filing for bankruptcy in Michigan without your spouse knowing is technically possible. Preventing your spouse from learning about your bankruptcy through your mail, your credit report, and the bankruptcy’s impact on joint assets may be difficult. For a detailed discussion…
If you face overwhelming debt, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy to remove this burden and get a fresh start. Bankruptcy can relieve many types of debt, but it’s important to understand that not all property is exempt from the bankruptcy process. However,…
Few experiences are more stressful and overwhelming than having a significant amount of debt and not knowing how you will repay it. At some point, most people in such a situation begin wondering whether filing for bankruptcy might be their best option….
If you are experiencing financial problems, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy in Michigan. In addition, you may be thinking about filing without an attorney to save money – after all, if you are considering bankruptcy, there is a…
Yes – you can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without an attorney in Michigan. However, given the complexities of the bankruptcy process, it is best to work with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. If you are considering bankruptcy, you…
If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, it is understandable to be worried about the actual expenses involved. Finding extra money for these fees is a challenging task if you are already struggling to make ends meet. Here…
Debtors who want a clean slate from extensive debt may file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. However, the law restricts eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to debtors whose income falls below certain thresholds. ## What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? The Bankruptcy…
With housing and rent prices continuing to increase, the thought of foreclosure hits a little too close to home for many. Foreclosure occurs when a homeowner gets behind on their mortgage payments and the lender takes over the property…
If you are experiencing financial problems, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy in Michigan. In addition, you may be thinking about filing without an attorney to save money – after all, if you are considering bankruptcy, there is a…
Understanding Your Options and Path to Financial Recovery There are few things more overwhelming than facing financial hardships. When you are busy trying to make ends meet and get out of debt, spending time to consider bankruptcy is sometimes…
Divorce is stressful enough as it is, but when you’re going through challenging financial times, you may also need to consider filing for bankruptcy. Before taking any steps toward filing either case, it’s important to consider how you’ll go about…
Marriage is supposed to last forever. But sadly, that outcome is rarer than it should be. Roughly half of all marriages end in divorce in the United States. If your marriage is headed toward divorce in Michigan, you should be…
Married couples who are filing for divorce may argue about who gets the dishes or who keeps the dog. But if the couple has children, by far one of the biggest battles in the divorce process concerns child custody. ###…
Are you struggling with debt and considering filing for bankruptcy? Many people hear the term bankruptcy and immediately hesitate, feeling that it will ruin their ability to make large purchases in the future. Worrying about how filing for bankruptcy will…
Concerned parents who are considering divorce should consider how a split will affect their children. Although divorce can be challenging for the whole family, children do have the capacity to be happy following a separation. According to the author of…
Many people do not realize how crippling debt can be until they find themselves dodging phone calls from creditors and ignoring electronic and snail mail demand notices. There is even a misconception that individuals who cannot pay their financial obligations…
Many Michigan residents fall into inescapable debt when they use their credit cards to cover basic expenses after suffering a financial setback. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, revolving debt in the United States increased by 1.5 percent to $1.037…
There are many ways in which Michigan residents can choose to defend themselves against a criminal charge. In some cases, it can be best to tell the truth and hope that the jury is sympathetic to that person’s story. Of…
Parents in Michigan who are delinquent in paying child support may find it difficult to obtain a loan to purchase a home. Delinquent child support is classified as a derogatory credit event and can lower the likelihood of getting approved…
For Michigan consumers who are struggling to pay their credit card debts, it can feel impossible to catch up. In some cases, the balances outstanding are simply too high to pay down, and the cardholder might want to pursue debt…
You are no doubt looking forward to your wedding day. The invitations have been sent out, and the preparations are actually going smoothly. There is only one little issue: Your groom-to-be has recently declared bankruptcy. How will this affect your…
Divorce has been linked to depression and stress that can exacerbate existing health conditions and increase the risk of other problems for seniors. People in Texas who are approaching or going through a divorce later in life should keep the…
A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a legal document that individuals can use to specify how their assets will be handled should they get a divorce. Couples in Pennsylvania who are thinking about getting married should carefully consider how prenups…
Credit card debt forgiveness may seem like an attractive option to Michigan residents who are struggling financially, but they may find that pursuing this course of action is futile because debt collectors expect a sizeable upfront payment before agreeing to…
Any new school year in Michigan comes with an understandable range of emotions for children, from apprehension about new teachers and classes to excitement about playing favorite sports. For children adjusting to a post-divorce life that includes splitting time between…
Many consumers in Michigan and around the country are having difficulty meeting their financial obligations despite low unemployment, rising wages and sustained economic growth according to figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The bank says that the…
With summer ending, the holidays are just around the corner. If you are on a tight budget, you may have a lot of concerns about the holiday season already. Buying presents and decorations can put a strain on your finances….
An increasing number of elderly people in Michigan and across the United States are filing for bankruptcy, especially as wealth inequality continues to deepen. Several studies have indicated that older Americans are suffering from escalating financial problems. Between 1991 and…
Child support programs in Michigan and around the country were established to ensure that children receive the care they need and do not become burdens on the state. Title IV of the 1975 Social Security Act allows the federal government…
For many young people in Ann Arbor, student loan debt represents a major burden on their financial, personal and social lives. Many millennials have postponed important life milestones like marriage and children because they first want to address mounting educational…
Judges in Michigan and around the country set bail to ensure that criminal defendants will appear to face trial, and remand is generally reserved for individuals who are considered a flight risk or could pose a danger to the general…
Many people work hard for years to pay off their homes. When you paid yours off at long last, you must have felt incredibly proud. Whether your mortgage lasted for 15 years, 30 years or another length, it was too long….
Michigan residents who have filed for bankruptcy may be able to get a car loan after doing so. Those who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy could be allowed to take on an auto loan during the course of their…
Women in Michigan should be prepared to face some unsettling financial revelations if they file for divorce. A survey of 1,785 participants showed that 46 percent of the divorced women encountered financial surprises during their divorce. Divorced and divorcing women{:…
Divorced Michigan parents must learn to deal with the difficulties of a co-parenting arrangement. Co-parenting is easier when both parents commit to maintaining focus on the emotional well-being of their children, understanding the harm that can come from minimizing one…
Female breadwinners in Ann Arbor, Michigan are breaking the glass ceiling, achieving career success and earnings that outpace their male counterparts. As female breadwinners make great strides toward equality, many are coming to grips with the fact that they will…
The National Retirement Risk Index was created in 2006 by the Center for Retirement Research in order to measure the percentage of households that are at-risk of a lower standard of living after retirement. Michigan residents who are approaching divorce…
Many people are apprehensive about bankruptcy because of the common misconception that you will have to liquidate all your assets. On the contrary, the objective of bankruptcy is to facilitate repayment of debt, and if this can be done without…
The time period during which a person is struggling with asset depletion and avoiding a bankruptcy filing is sometimes referred to as the sweatbox. It’s an unpleasant situation for Michigan residents who have to deal with collection calls and making…
Michigan residents may have heard about groups such as the California Innocence Project that aim to help those who have been wrongfully convicted. One man spent eight years in prison for a sex crime before DNA evidence exonerated him. He…
Disability can change a Michigan family’s life significantly, especially if a newly impaired parent’s income was the basis for child support payments. Because disability can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, it can often be accompanied by a sharp…
If you have been unable to make mortgage payments for a while, you may be facing a home foreclosure. The prospect of losing your home can cause a lot of anxiety and stress, as well as a great deal of…
For many people in Michigan struggling with debt, student loans can contribute substantially to the burden that they face. However, this type of debt is set aside from other unrepayable expenses like credit card bills; unlike those debts, student loans…
The child support situation can vary greatly for people in Michigan and across the United States depending on the financial circumstances of both parents and the specific needs of a child. When people are considering divorce, child support can be…
Filing for bankruptcy typically represents a low point in the financial lives of people in Michigan, but the chance to clear out debts offers opportunity for the future. A bankruptcy will linger on a credit report for at least seven…
For couples in Michigan, shifting views of gender roles can lead to stresses on a marriage. Many couples are forming marriages built on a basis of gender equality and mutual achievement in the workplace, but many others marry with presumptions…
If you are filing for bankruptcy, you will have to attend what is commonly known as a “341 meeting” of creditors. This will not be a court appearance, but rather a meeting held in a less formal environment. The outcome, however,…
When Michigan parents get a divorce, they must decide who will get custody of the children. Legal custody refers to who has the right to make major decisions about such issues in the child’s life as religion, education and medical…
When parents in Michigan make the decision to divorce, they may wonder how they will handle time away from their children. When both parents are accustomed to sharing one home with their kids, adapting to a child custody and visitation…
Some Michigan consumers who feel overwhelmed by their financial obligations might consider filing for bankruptcy. Most types of unsecured debt can be discharge, but people should be aware that most tax liabilities cannot be. Generally, it is not possible for…
When unemployment or medical problems strike Michigan residents, incomes could fall and bills may go unpaid. However, bankruptcy could represent a viable approach for eliminating debts and reclaiming financial health. Legal and financial advisers view bankruptcy as a tool to…
Divorce can be hard on children, but there are a number of things parents in Michigan can do that will make the transition easier. For example, it is important for parents to talk to children about everything from whether they…
Many Michigan residents have started their lives afresh after filing for bankruptcy, and you may be considering joining their ranks, or maybe your spouse is. Whichever scenario you are in, you could be wondering, “Do both spouses have to file?” The…
When people in Michigan struggle with overwhelming debt that seems impossible to repay, there may be only one way forward to help protect their financial future: bankruptcy. However, for many, the costs associated with filing for bankruptcy can make this…
Facts And Myths About Chapter 7 And Chapter 13 Bankruptcy In today’s information age, there is no shortage of myths about your rights and obligations in a bankruptcy filing. Here are some of the facts: - **A bankruptcy filing…
When couples in Michigan divorce, they may find that the financial aspects of ending a marriage can outstrip even the emotional obstacles. This can be especially true in the case of retirement funds, which generally represent significant investments. Often, both…
Michigan residents and others who have student debt may be familiar with the fact that those debts usually cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. The only way they can be discharged is if a student would experience an undue hardship if…
If you are currently grappling with a drug addiction, it may be wreaking havoc on your life. Addiction can make people act in ways they typically never would, and in some cases, it can lead people to commit crimes, even…
While divorce is often associated with younger people, statistics show that in Michigan and across the United States, an increasing number of divorces happen later in life. Over the past 25 years, the rate of divorce for Americans over the…
Michigan residents who are overwhelmed by their financial obligations to the point that they are unable to repay all of their debts may want to consider bankruptcy as an option. There are two primary types of consumer bankruptcy that may…
Sooner or later many Michigan families need to reach for a credit card when an unexpected expense pops up. Credit card debt has become a fact of life for many American households. The Federal Reserve reports that credit card balances…
In Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, debtors have the ability to modify their mortgages in certain situations. A string of recent decisions may signal a trend that could affect the way bankruptcy courts in Michigan address these modifications. In these cases,…
The school years can be difficult for children, no matter where they are on the social ladder. Kids may be bullied or be bullies themselves, or their friends may pressure them into teasing and bullying others. It is hard when…
When an individual in Michigan gets divorced, their life could be impacted in several ways. For instance, the separation could affect an individual’s ability to get insurance. In some cases, a spouse who was on a shared policy while married…
According to author and psychologist Dr. John Gottman, one particular communication pattern sends more couples to divorce courts in Michigan and around the country than any other. That is contempt. Gottman has identified four toxic communication behaviors that predict a…
The effect that the economy has on Michigan residents and others throughout the U.S. varies depending on the age group of the citizens. For instance, it should come as no surprise that the economic crisis of 2008 hit Millennials, who…
Michigan couples who file for divorce in January are not alone. While researchers at the University of Washington have determined that March and August are the two most popular months for divorces, a significant increase in filings tend to happen…
Family law attorneys in Michigan and around the country report a spike in calls about divorce following summer vacation and the holiday season. It seems that people who have been undecided about their marriage up to that point may have…
As a gamer, you understand how easy it can be to get caught up in the excitement of the game and sometimes forget that there are real people on the other end of your screen. If something goes wrong during…
Michigan debtors who are considering filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be interested in a ruling made by a Georgia bankruptcy court. The decision marks the second time within a month that a bankruptcy court permitted a Chapter 13 debtor…
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure changed in a number of ways on December 1, 2017, impacting bankruptcy cases in Michigan and across the United States. The primary effects of the changes involve Chapter 13 cases where creditors have secured…
Individuals in Michigan who are approaching or going through divorce during the holiday season already know how difficult such a process can be, and how the difficulty can be exacerbated by the holiday festivities around us. Indeed, divorcing during the…
For Michigan residents and others, getting a divorce can be both emotionally and financially draining. To increase the odds of recovering both financially and emotionally from a divorce, it may be a good idea to lean on a support system….
Bankruptcy is a legal process that can be used to resolve overwhelming debt, and every year, 800,000 people in the United States use it to get out of debt. Michigan residents that have gone through a bankruptcy may think that…
Bankruptcy laws help people reduce or eliminate their debts. Although this protection is available to all adults, Michigan seniors are a growing section of bankruptcy filers. There may be a few reasons why they’re turning to the federal bankruptcy code…
Credit card debt is an extremely scary topic for many Americans and for good reason. Americans have recently hit a milestone and now carry more debt than any other time in the country’s history. The total debt has now…
People in Michigan who are struggling with whether or not they should try to stay married for the sake of their children should think about several things. There are reasons that might support going ahead with divorces and others that…
With ever-changing marijuana laws across the country and in Michigan alone, it can be confusing to understand what is legal or illegal. Medical marijuana is legal in Michigan and just underwent several changes due to a new law….
The number of bankruptcy filings fell 1.8 percent in September 2017 compared to September 2016. Overall, there were 790,830 bankruptcies filed by Michigan residents and others through Sept. 30. There were 805,580 bankruptcy cases in the prior year. According to…
Michigan couples may look avidly for a way to avoid a divorce and repair a marriage that is no longer intact. In some cases, the partners are parents and want to preserve a shared home for their children. In other…
People struggling with debt may turn to avenues such as taking on a second job or bringing in a renter to help with the bills. Sometimes, these approaches pay off. Other times, though, they can be risky or unnecessary. For…
If one judge had his way, Michigan residents and others would not face debt limits when filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. He and others shared this sentiment at an October meeting of the American Bankruptcy Institute Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy….
Michigan residents who are looking for ways to better handle their high-interest debts may want to look into debt consolidation. This may allow them and others to make one payment each month at a lower interest rate than what is…
Consumers in Michigan and around the country often turn to credit cards following an unexpected financial setback such as a layoff or illness. Paying revolving debt off can be difficult for people who are struggling to make ends meet because…
Although each bankruptcy case is unique, there are many common financial issues. A job loss, divorce or injury can put you in enough distress to declare bankruptcy. However, another common reason for financial turmoil is providing financial assistance to a…
Roughly half of Americans in Michigan and elsewhere who hold credit card debt carry a balance for at least two years. Of those who admitted to carrying a balance for at least two years, half said that they have had…
October is here, which means it is almost time for Halloween. If you recently divorced and have a parenting plan, you might be wondering how to handle this holiday. Holidays come with unique challenges for divorced parents. Who will take…
Michigan debtors who are considering filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy may want to know if purchasing or renting a home would be feasible. Because Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on a person’s credit for years, obtaining a home can be…
The national divorce rate average hovers around 35 percent of all marriages. However, a study using 2015 data from the American Community Survey suggests that some married couples in Michigan are more likely to get divorced than others. One factor…
Changes to the way that medical debts are treated on credit reports may be helpful to some Michigan residents. Starting on Sept. 15, 180 days must pass before an unpaid medical debt can appear on a person’s credit report. In…
Being strapped for cash can feel humiliating and stressful. You might try to ignore it, but the reality is setting in that you are unable to make the minimum payment on your credit card bill. Whether you lost your job,…
Michigan consumers who are considering filing for bankruptcy might wonder what it will cost and whether it is the right choice for them. Depending on the situation, a person might file for Chapter 7, Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy….
Alimony is often ordered in Michigan divorce cases when one spouse has been the primary wage earner throughout the marriage. If alimony is ordered or agreed upon, the payments may be tax deductible. However, the orders or agreements must adhere…
Prenuptial agreements have become far more common in Michigan and around the country in recent years according to a 2016 survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The association’s members say that requests for prenuptial agreements have increased by…
When Michigan consumers file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they are asked to provide information to trustees about finances and various accounts. However, at least two trustees in Maryland have deviated from the usual procedure by making a request for information…
With ever-changing marijuana laws across the country and in Michigan alone, it can be confusing to understand what is legal or illegal. Medical marijuana is legal in Michigan and the law just underwent several changes. A lot of…
Michigan residents dealing with the aftermath of a loved one’s death might have to deal with unpaid debts on credit cards. When someone who was the sole account holder dies, then the creditor could make a claim for the debt…
All your bills are flowing in and you are wondering if you are going to be able to afford them. You might be thinking of skipping a payment or two, but which ones? Skipping a monthly payment has consequences, but…
Michigan consumers who are struggling with certain financial obligations might consider a debt consolidation loan. While this might appear to be a way to get control of debt and lower monthly payments, it might not be a long-term solution because…
Michigan residents may be surprised to learn that what spouses do for a living can influence their chances of remaining married. Researchers from the career information company Zippia used data from the U.S. Census Bureau to track divorce rates among…
Michigan residents may believe that a debt consolidation loan may be the answer to their debt issues. However, this is not always the case, and it is possible that debtors may find themselves even deeper in debt after consolidating. This…
Michigan residents who file for bankruptcy can expect to have their finances scrutinized. In a Virginia case of a man who filed for Chapter 7 protection and had two homes, the bankruptcy court found that he had not abused the…
A big part of divorce involves deciding how custody of children gets split between the two parents. In 2015 alone, there were 29,748 divorces filed in the state of Michigan. Many of those had children involved, and as a result, they were a…
Michigan residents might have strong feelings about the topic of immigration, but this issue is especially concerning to families who must face the thought of separation when it comes to illegal immigrant parents and their children. Since the election of…
People in Michigan whose bankruptcies have been dismissed might wonder how this will affect their credit rating. A dismissed bankruptcy may occur either with or without prejudice. In the latter example, a bankruptcy is dismissed because of an error in…
Michigan residents who have adjustable-rate mortgages or home equity lines of credit may see their monthly payments go up. The same is true of those who have outstanding credit card balances. This is because the Federal Reserve has increased interest…
Michigan consumers who are struggling with credit card debt might wonder what options are available for consolidating those obligations. The first thing a person in this situation should consider is whether it is possible to pay off the debt in…
Being arrested can be a worrisome experience. Often, those who are placed under arrest will be unaware of their legal rights. A Michigan person facing trial on a criminal charge has a right to a speedy trial before an impartial…
Divorce can be an emotional event for any Michigan residents to go through. However, as difficult as it can be for an adult, the end of a marriage can be just as hard on any children estranged parents may have….
Michigan couples who have been married for more than 30 years may have seen the headlines reporting that divorce rates for those over the age of 50 have continued to climb. While the number of divorces for those over the…
When a Michigan resident files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it will stay on their credit report for 10 years. Those who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy will see it remain on their credit reports for seven years. However, the effects…
The bankruptcy processes in Michigan and across the country are governed by federal law. With some important exceptions, Chapter 13 is basically a uniform code for all of the United States. A bankruptcy trustee in Texas retroactively adjusted confirmed Chapter…
Many lawyers advise clients not to testify in their own defense, but sometimes, the clients go ahead and do it anyway. Frequently, this testimony turns out to be a mistake. Lawyers know the criminal justice system well. If they advise…
Michigan consumers who have recently put charges on their credit card might wonder whether they would be able to discharge them in bankruptcy. A West Virginia bankruptcy court held that a woman who took a cash advance in the amount…
Criminal defense attorneys in Michigan have a new resource when confronted with evidence against their clients that was collected during law investigations in which computer users were secretly surveilled. A recent report released by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, American Civil…
When a Michigan court finalizes a child custody arrangement, it is generally set unless there are certain reasons the order needs to change. It should be noted that the court will rarely change the child custody arrangement if it is…
When Ann Arbor parents of young children end their marriages, the non-custodial parents will normally be ordered to pay child support. This is to ensure that custodial parents have the money they need to raise their children. A question often…
Under some circumstances, Michigan law can hold you jointly responsible for someone else’s actions. Helping someone else commit a crime or avoid punishment after committing one can lead to criminal charges of aiding and abetting or being an accessory after…
According to the IRS, the average tax refund for Michigan residents and other Americans in 2016 was $2,860. While some will use that money to take a vacation or make other large purchases, others will use the money to file…
One of the duties of bankruptcy judges in Michigan and around the country is evaluating the repayment plans submitted by Chapter 13 petitioners. Individuals or couples who file Chapter 13 bankruptcies are expected to use most of what they earn…
Michigan residents may have heard about a recent Illinois bankruptcy court ruling involving a man who wanted to file for chapter 13 bankruptcy while in jail. The court ruled that a debtor’s own income must be used when determining whether…
Collection accounts happen when creditors determine they will be unable to collect payment by standard means and transfer the debt to a collection agency. This agency will then pursue a debtor in attempt to collect payment. Collection accounts are a…
If you are struggling to pay your bills in Michigan each month and can barely afford to keep the roof over your head, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy. Although this offers you the opportunity to put an end…
Michigan parents who are ending their marriage should try to talk to their children together when they tell them about the divorce. The right timing may make the process less difficult. March and August are the most popular times to…
Michigan residents may have heard about the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act. It was created in 1998 to penalize those who travel to another state in an effort to willfully avoid paying child support. Parents may be punished if they cross…
Michigan consumers who are considering filing for bankruptcy must first pass a means test. This examines their income and financial obligations and determines whether they are eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows a person…
When a Michigan resident purchases a new car but then has difficulty making the monthly payments, giving up the car could still leave money that must be paid on the loan. If the lender sells it after a repossession for…
In some Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases in Michigan, creditors may return money that is paid to them to the bankruptcy trustee. A 2016 ruling in an Alabama bankruptcy court provides some guidance about how returned money might be handled. In…
Healthcare costs in the United States are projected to account for 17 percent of the country’s economy, translating to over $9,110 spent per person on medical needs. Despite the trillions of dollars that fall into this portion of the economy,…
When Michigan residents file for bankruptcy, the court will review every aspect of their debts, income and assets. Allowances might be made for a vehicle, even if it was bought a short time before the petition was filed. Because cash…
Michigan residents may have participated in a survey that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released the results of in early January. The agency asked more than 10,800 people between 2014 and 2015 about their interactions with debt collectors. Roughly 2,000…
If you have been following our blog, you are familiar with the financial hangover that occurs in January when people confront the charges they racked up in making holiday purchases. This monetary reckoning happens in households in every income bracket,…
“[I]t’s the little things.” That is how we express what fundamentally contributes to a successful partnership between a law firm and the clients it represents. “Big things” — case dispositions, money settlements, court orders and so forth — are obviously…
Many people experience financial difficulties following the holiday period. Even with a set budget for gifts, food and other expenses, it’s easy to overspend in the moment and put off worrying until later. If you’ve started the New Year with…
