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Michigan Bankruptcy Laws

Key Point

Not all states allow the federal bankruptcy exemptions. Though Michigan has its own bankruptcy laws, the residents are allowed to use either state or federal exemption limits.

Homestead

  • Exemptions are allowed for real properties, including condominium, up to a limit of $35,500.
  • The limit exceeds for the elderly (above 65) and the disabled to $53,925.
  • The property may not exceed 1 lot in a city, town or village or 40 acres elsewhere.
  • Spouses and children of the deceased owner can claim for homestead exemptions. However, spouses or unmarried co-owners of the property may not be able to ‘double’ the exemption amount.

Wage garnishment

Head of household may keep 60% of earned but unpaid wages, whereas others are allowed an exemption of 40%.

The permissible minimum is $15 per week plus $2 per week for each dependent other than the spouse for the head of household; $10 per week for others.

Automobiles

$3,250 of value can be exempted for a single motor vehicle

Personal Property

Clothing, appliances, utensils, books, furniture and household goods can be exempted $550 each, up to a maximum of $3,525 in total.

Food

Food and fuel to last for 6 months

Professional equipment

Tools of trade, implements, materials, stock, apparatus, or other things needed to carry on occupation are exempted to a total of $2,350

Other exemptions

  • Building & loan association shares to $1,175 par value, in lieu of homestead
  • 1 computer & accessories worth to an extent of $600
  • Crops, farm animals, and feed for the farm animals to $2,350
  • Household pets allowed up to $600 exemption in value
  • Church pew, slip, seat for entire family equal to $600

Wildcard exemptions

Wildcard exemptions for any property of choice are not allowed in the state.

Total or Absolute Exemptions

  1. Specific partnership benefits.
  2. Burial plot and church pew.
  3. Judges' retirement benefits.
  4. Legislative retirement benefits.
  5. Equity of redemption.
  6. Municipal employee's retirement benefits.
  7. Legislative retirement benefits.
  8. IRC qualified retirement schemes.
  9. Public school employee's retirement benefits.
  10. Unemployment compensation benefits.
  11. Fraternity and society benefits.
  12. Worker's compensation benefits.
  13. Proceeds of annuity contracts.
  14. Group life and disability insurance benefits.
  15. Proceeds and avails of disability insurance policies.
  16. Contribution to medical savings account.
  17. Pension or annuity benefits of retired employees.
  18. Retirement or annuity funds of any person.

Eastern District of Michigan

Bay City

Street Address
United States Courthouse
111 First Street
Bay City, Michigan 48708

Contact Number:
989-894-8840

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Detroit (Main Office)

Street Address
US Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Michigan
211 West Fort Street, Suite 2100
Detroit, Michigan 48226

Contact Number:
313-234-0068

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Flint

Street Address
Goodyear Building
226 West Second Street
Flint, Michigan 48502

Contact Number:
810-235-4126

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Western District of Michigan

Grand Rapids (Main office)

Street Address
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, WDMI
One Division Avenue, North
Room # 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3132

Contact Number:
616-456-2693

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Marquette

Street Address
United States Post Office and Federal Courthouse
202 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Marquette, MI 49855-4036

Contact Number:
906-226-2117

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Kalamazoo

Street Address
U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building
410 West Michigan Avenue
Room 114
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Lansing

Street Address
U.S. Post Office & Federal Courthouse
315 West Allegan Street,
Room 101
Lansing, MI 48933

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

Traverse City

Street Address
Logan Place West
3249 Racquet Club Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684

Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal Holidays)

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