Why You Should Hire a Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney

When your financial situation has gotten out of control and you are considering filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, you should first stop and consider all the factors that go into doing so. There is an extensive list of paperwork to be filed, documents to prepare, and there may even be court proceedings to take part in.

When you look at all that is involved in filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, it can overwhelm you. This process can be difficult, and any mistakes can make an already frustrating situation even worse. When you are considering filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, you should first consider hiring the assistance of a Michigan bankruptcy attorney.

Why hire a Michigan bankruptcy attorney?

Most clients who are looking to file for bankruptcy in Michigan know that they’re already in serious debt, why add to it by hiring a Michigan bankruptcy attorney? The best answer is that the guidance and reassurance a Michigan bankruptcy attorney can give you far outweighs the cost of their legal fees.

When you file for bankruptcy in Michigan you are looking to make a fresh financial start. A Michigan bankruptcy attorney can not only give you the best chance in your bankruptcy hearing by having a well prepared case ready, but they can also help you prepare for your new financial future.

A Michigan bankruptcy attorney will be able to direct you to proper financial counseling and explain what will happen to your credit following your bankruptcy in Michigan. They can also give you advice on how to rebuild your credit and avoid the same pitfalls that forced you to file bankruptcy in the first place. By establishing a good relationship with your Michigan bankruptcy attorney you can have their experienced advice for years to come, helping to try and keep you in the black in your financial future.

Why not hire a petition preparer?

While petition preparers are cheaper than a Michigan bankruptcy attorney they are only legally allowed to help you fill in the basic paperwork for filing for bankruptcy in Michigan. A petition preparer is not legally allowed to give you advice; if they do more than fill in your paperwork they are violating federal law. Only a licensed Michigan bankruptcy attorney can advise you on your bankruptcy in Michigan.

There are also very few legal protections you have if a petition preparer makes an error in your petition for bankruptcy in Michigan. It’s unlikely that you can file a lawsuit against them unless you can prove they were practicing law without a license. With a Michigan bankruptcy attorney, there are consumer protections in place if they are found to have made an error in your bankruptcy case.

A Michigan bankruptcy attorney can not only help you fill in the document just like a petition preparer, but they can also advise you on which type of bankruptcy to file for, locate the proper declarations to claim, assist you in finding credit counseling, and also give you court assistance at your hearing. There is much more security in hiring a Michigan bankruptcy attorney over a petition preparer.

Peace of Mind When Filing for Bankruptcy in Michigan

Chances are good that you are already frustrated with your financial situation and being harassed by collection agencies. You may be stressing over losing your home to your mortgage lender or trying to handle making credit card payments while still affording your family’s basic needs. Filing for bankruptcy in Michigan does not need to be another burden for you to bear alone.

Your Michigan bankruptcy attorney can assist you in simplifying the process of filing for bankruptcy in Michigan. Experienced attorneys are well versed in the bankruptcy process and can easily help you procure the necessary documentation to include with your petition. They can also identify all the common pitfalls of filing for bankruptcy in Michigan and save you the hassle of an unnecessary denial or delay of your petition.

An additional comfort to know when working with a Michigan bankruptcy attorney is that while a petition preparer cannot be held liable if they make an error on your application, an attorney can be held liable for malpractice. This consumer protection means there is little for you to lose and much to gain from having the help of a Michigan bankruptcy attorney on your side.

What a Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney Can Do For You

There are many things to consider before filing for bankruptcy in Michigan and the advice of a Michigan bankruptcy attorney can help make those decisions a little easier to make. The first thing you need to consider is the type of bankruptcy you are filing for. Most personal bankruptcies are either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 and your Michigan bankruptcy attorney can examine your financial situation and explain which option is best.

Once you begin the process of filing for bankruptcy your Michigan bankruptcy attorney will help you fill out the necessary paperwork just as a petition preparer would. The big difference here is that an attorney is allowed to advise you on what assets are able to be protected, what needs to be declared in the paperwork, and other similar considerations.

An experienced Michigan bankruptcy attorney will also be well versed in reviewing financial documents and determining your appropriate assets. In many cases, clients who file for bankruptcy in Michigan with the help of a Michigan bankruptcy attorney miss fewer assets and lose less in their bankruptcy settlement than those who only use a petition preparer or obtain no help at all.

Contacting a Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney

If times have gotten so tough that you feel you have no alternative but to declare bankruptcy in Michigan, it’s important that you protect yourself from companies that take advantage of consumers when they are at their lowest financial point. The Ann Arbor bankruptcy attorney team at Johnson and McLoyd will provide an honest, thorough assessment of your personal financial situation and explain the bankruptcy options available to you. Contact us today for a no cost consultation – 734-669-9080. We are available evenings and weekends to provide you with bankruptcy help in Michigan.