Michigan Chapter 13 Bill Consolidation Specialists Reorganization Bankruptcy Cases/title> <meta name="keywords" content="credit card debt, credit card help, bankruptcy, bankruptcy fraud, credit cards, can't pay credit cards, help with michigan bankruptcy,michigan bankruptcy, bankruptcy in michigan, michigan bankruptcy law, michigan bankruptcy attorney, michigan bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy lawyer in michigan, attorney bankruptcy lawyer michigan, michigan bankruptcy court, bankruptcy attorney in michigan, bankruptcy law in michigan, filing bankruptcy in michigan, eastern district of michigan bankruptcy court, bankruptcy blog Michigan, bankruptcy eastern district of michigan, bankruptcy michigan mortgage refinance, chapter 13 bankruptcy michigan, bankruptcy filing michigan, michigan chapter 7 bankruptcy, personal bankruptcy michigan, bankruptcy mt clemens lawyer michigan, ann arbor bankruptcy lawyer michigan, western district michigan bankruptcy, mi bankruptcy lawyer, mich bankruptcy lawyer,Law firm, law office, legal advice, attorney, lawyer, Metzen, Walter Metzen, Detroit, Michigan, MI, bankruptcy, bankruptcy attorney, Detroit, Westland, Dearborn, Flint, Ann Arbor, Wayne County, Monroe County, Oakland County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County, Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw, Northville, Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Wayne County, Oakland, Livingston County, Washtenaw County, attorny, atorney, attroney, lawer, laywer, repossession, foreclosure, debt relief, debt discharge, credit card, unsecured debt, consumer bankruptcy, liquidation, personal bankruptcy, Detroit Chapter 7 Lawyer, Chapter 7 Lawyer, creditor harassment, creditor, harassment, Straight Bankruptcy, Chapter 7, bankruptcy, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Chapter 13, bankruptcy attorneys, credit card debts, medical bills, legal help filing bankruptcy, bankruptcy legal help, fresh start lawyer, fresh start bankruptcy, fresh start law firm, fresh start center, "> <meta name="description" content="Michigan Bankruptcy Laws from Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court. MichiganBankruptcyLawyer.com 888-4FRESHStart Serving Southeastern Michigan."> <meta name="submittime" content="7/10/2006 8:10:57 AM"> <meta name="pubdate" content="3/2/2005 12:00:00 AM"> <meta name="contenttype" content="MichiganBankruptcyLawsBankruptcyForeclosure-Scams"> <meta name="pagetype" content="Michigan-Bankruptcy-Laws-Bankruptcy-Foreclosure-Scams"> <meta name="approved" content="Yes"> <meta name="ontoc" content="on"> <meta name="editable" content="yes"> <meta name="docgroup" content="Public"> <meta name="searchable" content="yes"> <meta name="title" content="Michigan-Bankruptcy-Articles"> <meta name="owner" content="999999999"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="Template" content="SiteTemplate"> <meta name="show_dynamic_related_content" content="yes"> <script language="JavaScript" src="images/defaultRollovers.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" src="images/FS5ImagePreloader.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" src="images/formValidation.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">  </script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="site.css"> <style>  </style> </head> <body class="design internal" onload="FS5_PreloadImages('images/n-main-home-o.jpg','images/n-main-firm-o.jpg','images/n-main-atto-o.jpg','images/n-main-bank-o.jpg','images/n-main-fees-o.jpg','images/n-main-onli-o.jpg','images/n-main-cont-o.jpg','images/n-tool-print-o.gif','images/n-tool-save-o.gif','images/n-tool-email-o.gif');"><templateheader> </templateheader><div id="containerPage"> <div id="banner"> <img src="images/logo.jpg" id="logo" alt="Walter Metzen, Board Certified Bankruptcy Attorney" height="79" width="590"> <a href="index.htm"><img src="images/url.jpg" id="url" alt="detroitbankruptcyattorney.com" height="50" width="437"></a> <img src="images/cta.jpg" id="cta" alt="Free Consultation: 1-888-4WALTER" height="50" width="333"> <img src="images/tagline.jpg" id="tagline" alt="Call our office for a same day appointment. Evening appointments available. Stop creditor harassment. Stop creditor action." height="90" width="590"> <img src="images/bg-banner-l.jpg" id="bannerL" alt="" height="169" width="94"> <img src="images/bg-banner-r.jpg" id="bannerR" alt="" height="169" width="86"> <img src="images/banner-lb.jpg" id="bannerLB" alt="" height="31" width="5"> <img src="images/banner-rb.jpg" id="bannerRB" alt="" height="31" width="5"> <div id="navigationMain"> <ul> <li><a href="index.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('Home','','images/n-main-home-o.jpg',1)"><img name="Home" src="images/n-main-home.jpg" alt="Home" border="0" height="31" width="60"></a></li> <li><a href="Firm-Overview.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('FirmOverview','','images/n-main-firm-o.jpg',1)"> <img name="FirmOverview" src="images/n-main-firm-a.jpg" alt="Firm Overview" border="0" height="31" width="115"></a></li> <li><a href="Attorneys.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('AttorneyProfiles','','images/n-main-atto-o.jpg',1)"><img name="AttorneyProfiles" src="images/n-main-atto.jpg" alt="Attorney Profiles" border="0" height="31" width="137"></a></li> <li><a href="TOCBankruptcyOverview.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('BankruptcyOverview','','images/n-main-bank-o.jpg',1)"><img name="BankruptcyOverview" src="images/n-main-bank-o.jpg" alt="Bankruptcy Overview" border="0" height="31" width="157"></a></li> <li><a href="Fees.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('Fees','','images/n-main-fees-o.jpg',1)"><img name="Fees" src="images/n-main-fees.jpg" alt="Fees" border="0" height="31" width="58"></a></li> <li><a href="Online-Resources.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('OnlineResources','','images/n-main-onli-o.jpg',1)"><img name="OnlineResources" src="images/n-main-onli.jpg" alt="Online Resources" border="0" height="31" width="137"></a></li> <li><a href="Contact.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('ContactUs','','images/n-main-cont-o.jpg',1)"><img name="ContactUs" src="images/n-main-cont.jpg" alt="Contact Us" border="0" height="31" width="96"></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="containerColumns"> <div id="columnMain" style="width: 461px; height: 2179px"> <div id="content"> <table class="InternetExplorerFix"><tbody><tr><td class="InternetExplorerFix">  <contenthead> </contenthead> <content> </content> <h3><strong> <font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#800000"> Michigan Bankruptcy/Chapter 7 or 13 </font></strong></h3> <div id="containerBorder"> <div id="containerPage0"> <div id="columnMain0"> <div id="content0"> <table class="InternetExplorerFix" id="table2"> <tr> <td class="InternetExplorerFix"> <div id="Newsletter-Single"> <h3 class="fl_panews_title"> Detroit <a href="Chapter-7.htm">Chapter 7</a> and <a href="Chapter-13.htm">Chapter 13</a> Consumer Bankruptcy Filings</h3> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <div id="wrap0"> <div id="canvas0"> <div class="sub" id="content2"> I, <a href="Attorneyprofile.htm">Walter Metzen</a>, will provide, free of charge as part of your free initial Bankruptcy Analysis, a means test calculation to determine if you are eligible for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Nearly 90% of the people who walk through my door are eligible to file a <b><a href="Detroit-Bankruptcy-Questions-Chapter-7.htm">Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> </b>and get a permanent discharge of their debt. With <b> <a href="Detroit-Bankruptcy-Questions-Chapter-13.htm">Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Michigan</a></b>, we can develop and affordable repayment plan to fit every budget.<div id="wrap"> <div id="canvas"> <div class="sub" id="content3"> <p> <a href="Attorneys.htm">Contact me, Michigan bankruptcy attorney</a> Walter Metzen to learn more about how I can help you get a Fresh Financial Start!.</p> <h3><strong>Exploring the Demographics of Consumer Chapter Choice</strong></h3> <p> </p> <p><em>Contributing Editor: Gordon Bermant <br wp="BR1"> Executive Office for U.S. Trustees </em></p> <p> This column explores the demographics of consumer chapter choice by examining some basic bankruptcy statistics across the states. The results provide an introduction or refresher to some of the tough issues facing us when we try to understand how and why debtors choose between chapters 7 and 13.</p> <p><strong>The Significance of Chapter Choice</strong></p> <p> Chapter choice in consumer bankruptcy is important for both policy and administrative reasons. On the policy side, there is an argument that some filers belong in chapter 13 rather than chapter 7 because their likely future income relative to their pre-filing unsecured debt gives them a good chance of making meaningful repayments over a 3 to 5 year period.. The argument continues that the rapid fresh start of chapter 7 should be reserved for debtors who are unable to make meaningful repayments. </p> <p> On the administrative side, the organization and burdens of managing a chapter 13 case differ from those attaching to a chapter 7 case. Any significant shift in the relative numbers of filings in the two chapters will change the amount and nature of work for the bankruptcy courts, private trustees, U.S. Trustees, and attorneys representing debtors and creditors.</p> The current statutory limitations on a debtor's initial choice of chapter 7 are essentially nil (11 U.S.C. § 109(b)). Pending legislation may change this, by placing repayment and/or income tests at the threshold of a debtor's eligibility for chapter 7. <p> For these reasons, it is important to attempt to understand the current environment of chapter choice. Our systematic understanding of the causes of chapter choice is weak, even though the opinions expressed by experts from every corner are very strong. As is frequently the case with empirical research, we are better at saying what is false than what is true. For example, in a highly quantified analysis of 1,529 consumer cases in Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania (all filed in 1981), Sullivan et al. tested chapter choice against a range of potential causes of the choice. They concluded that many of the plausible and intentional determinants of choice (e.g. ability to pay, assets to protect, unsecured debt levels, state exemption levels) had little if any causal effect. What mattered more, but still not a lot, were such factors as a recent move within the state or choice of a specialist attorney.</p> The authors noted that the district of filing is far and away the most powerful predictor of chapter choice, which is as true today as it was in 1981. Consider, for example, that during 1998 there were 22,840 non-business filings in the Western District of Tennessee, of which 74% were chapter 13 filings. During that period there were 25,011 non-business filings in the Western District of Washington, of which 17% were chapter 13 filings. Such differences persist over time, revealing the potent but amorphous factor of "local legal culture." There are no simple ideas or models that will completely account for the large variations in chapter choice-or at least no one has found them yet. What follows is a brief description of a promising lead. <p><strong>Chapter Choice in Relation to Filings per 1000 Households</strong></p> <p> The percentage of chapter 13 filings in a state tend to vary directly with the numbers of filings per 1000 households in the state. Where the total consumer rate per household becomes very high, it is often (but not always) due to large numbers of chapter 13 filings. The degree of association between chapter 13 filing rate and overall consumer rate per household is large enough to be substantively interesting. It is approximately as strong, for example, as the positive relationship between choice of chapter 7 and a recent intrastate move, as reported by Sullivan et al.<br wp="BR1"> </p> <p> The relationship is shown in two forms in Tables 1 and 2. For Table1, the states (including the District of Columbia) were first sorted on percentage of chapter 13 filings. The highest 10 and lowest 10 states were then compared for the numbers of filings per 1000 households. To explore the possible relationship of these factors to the overall amount of consumer bankruptcy activity in the groups, the total numbers of filings were also included. In Table 2, the states were first sorted on numbers of filings per 1000 households, and the averages of the other factors were then calculated.<br wp="BR1"> </p> <p align="center">Table 1</p> <p align="center">States with Highest and Lowest Percentages of Chapter 13<br wp="BR1"> (Values are averages for the states in the group)<br wp="BR1"> </p> <table border="1" width="100%" id="table7"> <tr valign="top"> <td>GROUP</td> <td>PERCENTAGE CHAPTER 13</td> <td>FILINGS PER 1000 HOUSEHOLDS</td> <td>ALL CONSUMER FILINGS</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>HIGHEST*</td> <td>50%</td> <td>17</td> <td>16,668</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>LOWEST**</td> <td>6%</td> <td>10</td> <td>4,140</td> </tr> </table> <br wp="BR2"> *In <em>decreasing</em> order: GA, AL, NC, TN, SC, LA, TX, UT, MS, AR<br wp="BR1"> ** In<em> increasing</em> order: ND, SD, WV, RI, NH, IA, VT, ME, AK <p> </p> <p align="center">Table 2 <br wp="BR1"> States with Highest and Lowest Rates of Filing per 1000 Households<br wp="BR1"> (Values are averages for the states in the group)<br wp="BR1"> </p> <table border="1" width="100%" id="table8"> <tr valign="top"> <td>GROUP</td> <td>PERCENTAGE CHAPTER 13</td> <td>FILINGS PER 1000 HOUSEHOLDS</td> <td>ALL CONSUMER FILINGS</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>HIGHEST*</td> <td>39%</td> <td>21</td> <td>45,171</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>LOWEST**</td> <td>17%</td> <td>9</td> <td>8,633</td> </tr> </table> <br wp="BR2"> *In <em>decreasing</em> order: NV, TN, GA, UT, AL, CA, MS, MD, ID, AR<br wp="BR1"> ** In <em>increasing</em> order: AK, SD, SC, IA, VT, ND, ME, MA, NC, NE <p> The tables reveal both regularity and disparity. As has been observed repeatedly, the states with highest chapter 13 filing rates occupy the southern tier of the country, with the exception of Utah. The states with the lowest rates are uniformly northern except for West Virginia. And, most obviously the states with the lowest rates of chapter 13 tend also to have small overall filing rates both absolutely and relative to the number of households. When the data are first sorted on the number of filings per 1000 households, the positive association with chapter 13 rates is again observed, but there are some striking anomalies: North and South Carolina, which are in the top 10 states in percentage of chapter 13 filings, are in the bottom 10 states in terms of filings per 1000 households. And the geographic regularities of Table 2 disappear.</p> An important problem to be solved in interpreting the relationship between percentage of 13 filings in a state and the rate of filings per 1000 households is to establish the direction of causality if there is one. Does a local legal culture that channels filers into chapter 13 thereby encourage more total filings than would otherwise arise? Is the population of chapter 13 filers in high percentage chapter 13 states composed of people who might not file at all in other states? Alternatively, do local conditions that produce high potential for bankruptcy produce a response in the business and legal communities that channels these filings into chapter 13?. A third possibility is that the two factors are not causally related, but are simply two consequences of other factors, like exemption limitations or wage garnishment laws. It is beyond doubt that strong chapter 13 environments can thrive both where bankruptcy per 1000 households is very frequent (Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, for example) and infrequent (North Carolina and South Carolina, for example). Nevertheless, for the nation overall, the direct relationship between the two factors is strong. The regularity and the important exceptions imply strongly that there is more than one set of causal factors leading to strong tendencies to file in chapter 13. <p><strong>Conclusion: Why does this matter?</strong></p> The importance of understanding the roots of very strong (or very weak) support for chapter 13 filings in a community, a district, or a state, goes to the heart of our conception of consumer bankruptcy generally and the choice between chapter 7 and chapter 13 specifically. Economists have been attempting to use economic modelling to discern whether there has been a change in the stigma associated with filing bankruptcy. The fact is that stigma, or shame, is a social and emotional factor, and we are extremely ignorant of the social and emotional contexts in which ordinary people operate at the time of filing and the months preceding it. Without an independent basis for asserting that increased rates of filing are caused by a decreased sense of personal responsibility, stigma, or shame in the population, there is no foundation for inferring such a relationship from economic factors alone. We need to look at the social contexts of the bankruptcy environment directly. <p> The general prevalence of bankruptcy in a state, as measured by filings per 1000 households, is one example of such a measure-albeit not as precise or refined as we need. Sullivan et al. searched for other determinants in their work. There is support at many levels for the proposition that debtors should be at least encouraged to file chapter 13 if they can in fact repay a meaningful portion of their unsecured debt over the period of the plan. If we can understand how current high-percentage chapter 13 environments operate, and export that which is exportable into other environments, we might find a socially satisfying way to improve the consumer bankruptcy process. </p> <hr> <p> </p> <center><strong><u>SELECTED LEGAL ISSUES</u></strong> <br> <strong><u>IN CHAPTER 7 FINAL REPORTS - QUICK CHECKLIST</u></strong> </center> <p> </p> <p><strong><u><i>GENERAL ISSUES</i></u></strong></p> <p><strong>Yes</strong>/ <strong>No </strong></p> <p><font size="-2">_ _ 1. IS THE FINAL REPORT PREMATURE?</font> </p> <p>_ _ 2. IS THE APPROPRIATE FEE BEING REQUESTED?</p> <p>_ _ 3. IS THE TRUSTEE'S FEE REQUEST IN CONFORMITY WITH UNITED STATES TRUSTEE FEE GUIDELINES?</p> <p>_ _ 4. HAS THE CASH BEEN MANAGED APPROPRIATELY?</p> <p>_ _ 5. HAVE APPROPRIATE TAX RETURNS BEEN FILED AND PAYMENTS MADE?</p> <p>_ _ 6. HAVE SECURED CLAIMS BEEN ADDRESSED?</p> <p>_ _ 7. IS THE PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION TO CREDITORS CONSISTENT WITH SECTIONS 726 AND 507 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE?</p> <p>_ _ 8. HAVE DUTIES OTHER THAN LIQUIDATION OF ASSETS BEEN PERFORMED?</p> <p><strong><u><i>ISSUES SPECIFIC TO COMPLEX CASES</i></u></strong></p> <p><strong>Yes</strong>/ <strong>No </strong></p> <p>_ _ <font size="-2">9. HAVE ISSUES PECULIAR TO INVOLUNTARY CASES BEEN ADDRESSED?</font></p> <p>_ _ 10. HAVE ISSUES PECULIAR TO CASES WITH SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES BEEN ADDRESSED?</p> <p>_ _ 11. HAVE ISSUES RAISED BY ESTATE SURPLUS OR INSOLVENCY BEEN ADDRESSED?</p> <p>_ _ 12. HAVE ISSUES ARISING IN CONVERTED CASES BEEN ADDRESSED?</p> <hr> <hr> <p> <a href="http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/bankbasics04606.pdf"> Bankruptcy Basics</a> - For Cases Filed on or after October 17, 2005 (pdf)<br> <a href="http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/BBpre1005.pdf">Bankruptcy Basics</a> - For Cases Filed before October 17, 2005 (pdf)</p> <hr size="1"> <p><b> </b><table id="table3" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" id="table4"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <div id="containerPage1"> <div id="containerColumns0"> <div id="columnMain1"> <div id="content4"> <table class="InternetExplorerFix" id="table5"> <tr> <td class="InternetExplorerFix"> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Contact.htm">Contact me, Detroit bankruptcy lawyer Walter Metzen</a> today to schedule your free initial consultation. I also offer clients flexible appointment times and same day appointments if necessary. Get in touch with me today to learn how filing bankruptcy may be beneficial for you and your family. <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Board-Certified.htm">Why should you hire a Board Certified Bankruptcy Specialist? Click Here</a>. My office has handled over 10,000 bankruptcy cases in Michigan and will apply this experience to your case as well. My office prides itself on fast, detailed, personal service. There are many different aspects to a bankruptcy case. Some of the different aspects are listed on the links below for you to explore. If you have any questions while exploring this site or would like a free personal bankruptcy consultation, contact my office at (313) 962-4656 or toll free 888-777-FILE.<div id="containerPage2"> <div id="containerColumns1"> <div id="columnMain2"> <div id="content5"> <table class="InternetExplorerFix" id="table6"> <tr> <td class="InternetExplorerFix"> <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Chapter-7.htm">Chapter 7</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Chapter-13.htm">Chapter 13</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Bankruptcy-Myths.htm">Bankruptcy myths</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/New-Bankruptcy-Laws.htm">New bankruptcy laws</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Required-Documents.htm">Required documents</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Bankruptcy-Timeline.htm">Bankruptcy timeline</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Dos-Donts.htm">Do’s and don’ts</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Stopping-Creditor-Harassment.htm">Stopping creditor harassment</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Foreclosure.htm">Foreclosure</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Attorneys.htm">Attorney Profile</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Bankruptcy-budgetingtips.htm">Budgeting Tips</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Bankruptcy-8884walter.htm">Detroit Bankruptcy Law Office Location</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Bankruptcy-Discharge.htm">GOAL of Bankruptcy</a> </li> </ul></td> </tr> </table></div></div> </div></div></td> </tr> </table></div></div></div></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></div> </div> </div> <p class="bodytext"> <b><a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Contact.htm">Contact me, bankruptcy attorney</a> Walter Metzen to learn more about how I can help you get a Fresh Financial Start!.</b></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><b> <span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black"> </span><font color="#980000">Be sure to <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Credit-Reports-Repairing.htm"> Obtain a copy of your Credit Report </a> after your Michigan Bankruptcy Filing and check it for Mistakes.</font></b></p> <p><b> <a href="http://www.freshstartbankruptcylawyers.com/Contact.htm"> Contact me, bankruptcy attorney</a> Walter Metzen to learn more about how the new Chapter 7 bankruptcy law may affect your case. I offer a free initial consultation so we can discuss your case personally.</b></p> <contenttrailer> </contenttrailer> <templatetrailer> <placeholder type="FSCDocWidget" id="ContentFooter.inc"><fscdocwidget title="Content Footer"> <fscdocwidgetcontent></fscdocwidgetcontent></fscdocwidget></placeholder></templatetrailer><h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>We are a Debt Relief Agency helping people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Let us help you decide if bankruptcy is right for you.</em></h2> <div class="geographicalFooter">Bankruptcy attorney Walter Metzen represents clients throughout Southeast Michigan, including the communities of Detroit, Southfield, Warren, Roseville, Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor, Belleville, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Holland, Howell, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb, Northville, Plymouth, Port Huron, Redford, Rochester, Saginaw, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, Westland, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Mount Clemens, Howell, Oakland County, Macomb County, Wayne County, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, and all of the surrounding areas.<p> </p> <dd><br> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt"><a href="http://www.13attorney.com/">Detroit Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.13bankruptcy.com/">Detroit Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.13lawyer.com/">Walter Metzen Detroit Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.2filebankruptcy.com/"> Detroit Bankruptcy Attorney</a> <a href="http://www.4debtaid.com/">Detroit Bankruptcy Attorneys</a> <a href="http://www.7attorney.com/">Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.7bankruptcy.com/">Lawyer Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.800aid4debt.com/"> Declare Bankruptcy Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.8884debtaid.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.8884walter.com/">Southfield Michigan Bankruptcy lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.888aid4debts.com/"> Declaring Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.888debtaid.com/"> Michigan Credit Counseling Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.aaa-bankruptcylawyer.com/">Board Certified Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.aaabankruptcylawyer.com/">Warren Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.aidfordebt.com/">Walter Metzen Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.attorney4bankruptcy.com/">Attorney for Bankruptcy in Wayne County</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcy-detroit.com/"> Bankruptcy Lawyer Oakland County</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcy-helpline.com/">Detroit Chapter 7 Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcy-michigan.com/">Southfield Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcy7lawyer.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Specialist</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcydetroit.com/">Macomb County Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcylawyerdetroit.com/"> Fresh Start Bankruptcy Lawyers of Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcylawyermichigan.com/">Birmingham Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.bankruptcyline.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Helpline</a> <a href="http://www.chapter7attorney.com/">Oakland County Michigan Bankruptcy Specialists</a> <a href="http://www.chaptersevenlawyer.com/">Michigan Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.debt-relief-agent.com/">Michigan Fresh Start Bankruptcy Law Office</a> <a href="http://www.debtreliefagency-helpfilingbankruptcy.com/">Wayne County Debt Relief Agency</a> <a href="http://www.debtsniper.com/">Michigan Credit and Debt Counseling Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.det7.com/">Detroit Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Board Certified Specialist Walter Metzen</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-bankruptcy-attorney.com/">Detroit Bankruptcy Attorneys Helping People File Bankruptcy</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-bankruptcy-lawyer.com/">Detroit Credit Counseling and Bankruptcy Services</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-bankruptcy.com/">Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-michigan-bankruptcy-attorney.com/"> Detroit Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-michigan-bankruptcy-lawyer.com/">Detroit Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.detroit-michigan-bankruptcy.com/">Filing a Personal Bankruptcy</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankrupsylawyer.com/">How to declare personal bankruptcy in michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankruptcyattorney.com/">How to File Bankruptcy in Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankruptcyattorneys.com/"> Declaring Bankruptcy in Macomb County Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankruptcycourts.com/">Detroit Bankruptcy Court Directory</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankruptcylawyer.com/">Best Bankruptcy Lawyer in Detroit Michigan Attorney Walter Metzen</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbankruptcyonline.com/">Online Help Filing Bankruptcy In Detroit Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitbk.com/"> Michigan Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers Board Certified Specialist</a> <a href="http://www.detroitchapter13.com/">Detroit Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers Stop Foreclosure Repayment Plan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitchapter7.com/">Chapter 7 Lawyers In Detroit Wayne County Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitcreditcounseling.com/"> Detroit Credit Counseling Information</a> <a href="http://www.detroitcreditcounselors.com/">Detroit Credit Counseling Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy Lawyers serving Metro Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.detroitdebtaid.com/">Metroit Detroit Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.detroitdebtrelief.com/">Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist Walter Metzen Board Certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute</a> <a href="http://www.detroitdebtreliefagency.com/">Detroit Debt Relief Agency Helping People File Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganbankruptcy.com/">The Law Office of Walter Metzen Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganbankruptcyattorney.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Law Office Metro Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganbankruptcyattorneys.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Law Firm Serving all of Metropolitan Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganbankruptcylawyer.com/">Walter Metzen Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist Certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganbankruptcylawyers.com/"> Wayne County Bankruptcy Attorneys</a> <a href="http://www.detroitmichiganlawyer.com/">Southfield Bankruptcy Attorneys Consumer Bankruptcy Specialists</a> <a href="http://www.file713.com/">Oakland County Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer Certified Specialist</a> <a href="http://www.filepersonalbankruptcy.com/">File Personal Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.filingchapter13.com/">Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.filingchapter7.com/"> Declaring Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.fordebtaid.com/">Legal Help Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.foreclosure-attorney.com/">Stopping Foreclosure in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.helpfilingbankruptcy.com/"> Help Filing Michigan Bankruptcy</a> <a href="http://www.lawyerbankruptcy.com/">Walter Metzen Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.mi-bankruptcy.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy</a> <a href="http://www.mibankruptcylawyer.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.mibankruptcylawyers.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Attorneys Helping Consumers get a FRESH START</a> <a href="http://www.mibankruptcyattorneys.com/">Macomb County Credit Card Lawyers Bankruptcy and Debt Settlement</a> <a href="http://www.michbankruptcyattorneys.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Credit Counseling and Debt Negotiation Attorneys</a> <a href="http://www.michbankruptcyattorney.com/">Royal Oak Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.michbankruptcylawyers.com/">Wyandotte Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.michigan-bankruptcy-attorney.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Lawyers of Michigan</a>. <a href="http://www.michigan-bankruptcy-attorneys.com/">How to Declare Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.michigan-bankruptcy-lawyer.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy and Credit Counseling Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.michigan-bankruptcy-lawyers.com/">Michigan Credit Card Relief Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.michigan-bankruptcy.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Lawyers of Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.michigan-credit-counseling.com/">Michigan Credit and Debt Counseling Bankruptcy Lawyers of Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankrupcylawyer.com/">Lawyers Detroit Bankruptcy</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankrupsylawyer.com/">Bankruptcy Lawyers of Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcyattorneys.com/">Walter Metzen Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist 888-4WALTER</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcycenters.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Centers</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcycounselors.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Counselors</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcycourts.com/"> Michigan Bankruptcy Court Directory</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcylawoffices.com/">Fresh Start Michigan Bankruptcy Law Offices</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcylawyer.net/">Michigan Bankruptcy Law Center</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcylawyers.net/">Michigan Bankruptcy Laws Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcylawyerspllc.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney Walter Metzen Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Laws Board Certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcyonline.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Online</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcyservices.com/">Michigan Bankruptcy Services</a>. <a href="http://www.michiganchapter13.com/"> Michigan Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorneys</a> <a href="http://www.michiganchapter7.com/">Metro Detroit Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer</a> <a href="http://www.michigancreditcounselors.com/"> Michigan Credit Counseling Credit Counselors of Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.michigandebtaid.com/">Michigan Debt Assistance</a> <a href="http://www.michigandebtreliefagency.com/">Michigan Debt Relief Agency</a> <a href="http://www.michigandebtreliefcenter.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Law Center</a> <a href="http://www.motorcitylawyer.com/">Motor City Bankruptcy Laws</a> <a href="http://www.stopgarnishment.com/">Stop Wage Garnishment in Michigan Detroit Bankruptcy Lawyer Walter Metzen</a> <a href="http://www.waltermetzen.com/">Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Walter Metzen</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcyattorney.com/">Michigan Fresh Start Lawyers</a> <a href="http://www.michiganbankruptcylawyer.com/"> Downriver Bankruptcy Lawyer Michigan</a> <a href="http://www.thefreshstartcenters.com/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Offices of Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.lawyers.com/detroitbankruptcy/"> Bankruptcy Attorneys Detroit</a> <a href="http://www.personalbankruptcylawyer.com/">Filing Personal Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="file:///C:/Documents and Settings/Walt/My Documents/My Web Sites/freshstartbanrkuptcylawyers1/">Filing Personal Bankruptcy in Michigan</a> <a href="file:///C:/Documents and Settings/Walt/My Documents/My Web Sites/freshstartbanrkuptcylawyers1/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Lawyers</a> <a href="file:///C:/Documents and Settings/Walt/My Documents/My Web Sites/freshstartbanrkuptcylawyers1/">Fresh Start Bankruptcy Law Office of Detroit</a></span></dd> <p> </div> <span style="display: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; background-image: url(images/widget.gif); width: 20px; background-repeat: no-repeat; height: 16px;" unselectable="on"> </span><span style="display: none; font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(221, 221, 221);">Content Footer</span>  </td></tr><tr><td class="InternetExplorerFix"> </td></tr></tbody></table> </div> </div> <div id="columnLeft"> <div id="navigationPractice"> <h2><img src="images/h-prac.jpg" alt="Bankruptcy Overview" height="87" width="245"></h2> <ul>  <li><a href="Chapter-7.htm">Chapter 7</a></li><li><a href="Chapter-13.htm">Chapter 13</a></li><li><a href="Bankruptcy-Myths.htm">Bankruptcy Myths</a></li><li> <a href="Detroit-Bankruptcy-Lawyers-Bankruptcy-morebudgetingtips.htm">New Bankruptcy Laws</a></li><li><a href="Required-Documents.htm">Required Documents</a></li><li><a href="Bankruptcy-Timeline.htm">Bankruptcy Timeline</a></li><li><a href="Dos-Donts.htm">Do's and Don'ts</a></li><li><a href="Stopping-Creditor-Harassment.htm">Stopping Creditor Harassment</a></li><li><a href="Foreclosure.htm">Foreclosure</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="contactInformation"> <p><strong>Walter Metzen</strong><br>645 Griswold, Suite 3156<br>Penobscot Building<br>Detroit MI 48226<br><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/maps/extDD;_ylt=AqjezY.ZDuVvLZYiMKkyL0FkDLMF/*-http://maps.yahoo.com/dd?taddr=645+Griswold+St&tcsz=Detroit%2C+MI+48226-4105&country=us">Map & Directions</a></p> <table> <tbody><tr><td class="label">Phone:</td><td>(313) 962-4656</td></tr> <tr><td class="label">Fax:</td><td>(313) 962-4241</td></tr> <tr><td class="label">Email:</td><td> <a href="mailto:8884walter@sbcglobal.net?subject=Bankruptcy Question from DetroitBankruptcyAttorney.com site"> 8884walter@sbcglobal.net</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <img src="images/cert.jpg" alt="Michigan Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist Walter Mezen, American Board of Certification American Bankruptcy Institute 313-962-4656 Toll Free: 888-777-FILE" height="106" width="245"> </div> <br class="clear"> </div> <div id="navigationTools"> <ul> <li><a href="index.htmFSL5Apps/PrintPage/PrintPage.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('tool_print','','images/n-tool-print-o.gif',1)" target="winPrintPage" onclick="print_window=window.open('','winPrintPage','toolbar=yes,menubar=yes,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes,width=675,height=500')"><img src="images/n-tool-print.gif" alt="Print" name="tool_print" height="31" width="38"></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:addIEFavorite()" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('tool_save','','images/n-tool-save-o.gif',1)"><img src="images/n-tool-save.gif" alt="Save" name="tool_save" height="31" width="38"></a></li> <li><a href="ReferPageForm.htm" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('tool_email','','images/n-tool-email-o.gif',1)"><img src="images/n-tool-email.gif" alt="E-mail" name="tool_email" height="31" width="38"></a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer"> <div id="navigationLower"> <ul> <li><a href="index.htm">Home</a></li> <li><a href="Firm-Overview.htm">Firm Overview</a></li> <li><a href="Attorneys.htm">Attorney Profiles</a></li> <li><a href="TOCBankruptcyOverview.htm">Bankruptcy Overview</a></li> <li><a href="Fees.htm">Fees</a></li> <li><a href="Online-Resources.htm">Online Resources</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="Contact.htm">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="finePrint">  <p id="copyright">© 2006 by Law Office of Walter Metzen. All rights reserved. <a href="Disclaimer.htm">Disclaimer</a> </p> <p> <br class="clear"> </div> </div> </div> </body></html>