How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Michigan
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You don’t need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan. Many people file on their own for free. This article shows you how to file Chapter 7 without a lawyer. Plus, if you qualify, Upsolve’s free filing tool can help you through each step of the process.
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice.
Updated June 10, 2025
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Michigan
Before you file for bankruptcy, it’s important to think about how much support you need and what you can afford. The good news is, you don’t need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan. This guide will walk you through the bankruptcy process step by step, so you can understand your options and feel more confident moving forward. We’ll also cover the costs of Chapter 7 bankruptcy and how to get fee waivers.
🆘 If you have a simple bankruptcy case, Upsolve may be able to help! Take our two-minute screener to see if you’re eligible to use our free filing tool. Our tool will walk you through the process step by step.
- Collect Your Michigan Bankruptcy Documents
- Take a Credit Counseling Course
- Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
- Get Your Filing Fee
- Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
- File Your Forms With the Michigan Bankruptcy Court
- Mail Documents to Your Trustee
- Take the Second Required Course: Debtor Education/Financial Management
- Attend Your 341 Meeting of Creditors
- Deal With Your Car
Collect Your Michigan Bankruptcy Documents
Before you start your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, you'll need to gather some important financial documents. Some of these are required when you file your forms. Others aren’t required, but they can make the process much easier.
Documents you must have include:
Your tax returns from the last two years
Your pay stubs from the past 60 days
Your most recent bank statement
These documents aren’t required, but they can help you fill out your forms more accurately:
Credit card and loan statements
Bills or letters from collection agencies
Bank statements from the last 6–12 months, which can help you track your monthly expenses
You’ll also need to list all of your debts in your paperwork, along with the names and addresses of the people or companies you owe. This includes:
Credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and most student loans, which are called unsecured debts
Car loans or mortgages, which are called secured debts since the lender can take the property if you stop paying
Child support or past-due tax debts, which are called priority debts
🔎 If you’re not sure who you owe or how much, checking your credit report can help. You’re entitled to free weekly credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. And if you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll pull a credit report for you to make this step even easier.
Take a Credit Counseling Course
Before you can file your bankruptcy case, you’ll need to take a credit counseling course. Bankruptcy law requires that you complete the course within 180 days (about six months) before you file.
You’ll need to take the course from an approved provider.
💰 The course usually costs less than $50, but most Chapter 7 filers qualify for a fee waiver.
Once you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion. You’ll need to include this certificate when you file your bankruptcy paperwork with the court.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
Most of the forms you’ll need to file bankruptcy are federal forms. You can download fillable PDFs of all the required forms for free at USCOURTS.gov. These include your bankruptcy petition and forms called schedules that you’ll use to list your assets, debts, income, and expenses.
If you’re working with a bankruptcy lawyer, you’ll usually start by filling out a questionnaire. The attorney (or someone on their staff) will use your answers to complete the official forms.
If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll also answer an online questionnaire. Our software uses your responses to generate the forms you need to file your case with the court. If you feel more comfortable working with an attorney or want legal advice, Upsolve can help you set up a free consultation with one near you.
Get Your Filing Fee
It costs $338 to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. But many people qualify for a fee waiver. Check the Michigan Fee Waiver Eligibility table below to see if you qualify based on your income.
If the court doesn’t approve your waiver — or you don’t qualify — you can apply to pay the fee in up to four installments. This option can be helpful if you need to file quickly to stop things like wage garnishment or other debt collection efforts.
✋ As soon as you file your case, the automatic stay goes into effect. This legal protection stops most collection actions right away.
That said, if you miss an installment payment, the court can dismiss your case. If this happens, you won’t get a refund. So, if you're not in a rush to file, it may be better to wait until you’ve saved up the full $338 before filing. This can help avoid delays or complications down the line.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
If you’re filing your case on your own, you’ll need to print your completed forms in black ink on white, letter-size paper (8.5 x 11 inches). Be sure to print single-sided only. The court won’t accept forms printed on both sides.
Double-check that you’ve printed every required form.
✍️ Take your time signing each page that asks for a signature. Missing a form or a signature can delay your case or cause other issues with your filing.
If you're using Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll give you a single, ready-to-print packet of your completed forms. It includes clear dividers to show you exactly where to sign so you don’t miss anything.
If you’re working with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll usually print the forms for you. You’ll sign them, and then your attorney will file your case and pay the court fee electronically.
File Your Forms With the Michigan Bankruptcy Court
Michigan is divided into two bankruptcy districts: the Eastern District and the Western District. We’ll cover each district more in-depth soon.
For now, know that if you're filing on your own (without a lawyer), you’ll need to mail or hand-deliver your printed forms to the court. Only attorneys can file electronically.
No matter which district you're in, as soon as you file your case, you're protected by something called the automatic stay. This is a powerful part of bankruptcy law that immediately stops most collection actions, including:
Collection calls and letters
This can give you breathing room and relief right away, so you can file your case and make a plan to address your debts.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your bankruptcy forms, the court will assign a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee to oversee your case.
📆 The court will also schedule your 341 meeting with your trustee. This is also known as the meeting of creditors. We’ll explain more about this meeting in the next section.
You must send certain documents to your trustee at least seven days before your 341 meeting.
What Documents Does the Trustee Want To See?
Many trustees send a letter listing the documents they’ll need. But it’s a good idea to reach out to your trustee soon after you file to confirm what to send and how to send it. Some may accept documents by email, while others may ask you to mail hard copies.
In Michigan, you’ll usually need to send the trustee copies of any of the following that apply to you:
Pay stubs from the 60 days before you filed
Your two most recent tax returns
Any vehicle titles (certificates of title)
Current statements from secured creditors
Copies of deeds, leases, mortgages, or land contracts
Property tax statements
Any appraisals for valuable assets
Proof of casualty insurance (like car or home insurance)
Business records, if you own a business
Bank statements for the last 90 days if you live in the Western District, or the last 12 months if you live in the Eastern District
⚠️ Important: Make sure your most recent bank statement covers the date you filed your case.
There are also a few district-specific rules to be aware of:
In the Western District, you also need to send a divorce judgment or domestic support order, if it applies to you.
In the Eastern District, you’ll need to include credit card statements along with the other documents.
Take the Second Required Course: Debtor Education/Financial Management
After you send your documents to the trustee, complete the second required course. This is a financial management course, which is also called a debtor education course. It helps prepare you to make the most of your financial fresh start.
Just like the first course, the second course must be taken through a provider that’s approved for your district. To find one:
Go to the U.S. Trustee’s website.
In the state dropdown, select Michigan.
Then choose your Judicial District: either Eastern District of Michigan or Western District of Michigan, depending on where you live.
Once you finish the course, you’ll get a certificate to file with the court. File it with the court within 60 days of your 341 meeting. If you don’t, you won’t be able to get the bankruptcy discharge. That’s the court order that wipes out your eligible debts.
Attend Your 341 Meeting of Creditors
About a month after you file your case, you’ll attend a short meeting called the 341 meeting or meeting of creditors. The name sounds intimidating, but don’t worry. This is usually just a brief conversation between you and your bankruptcy trustee. Though creditors are allowed to show up, they very rarely do.
📱 Most 341 meetings are held via phone or video conference. If yours is scheduled to be in person, it won’t be in a courtroom or in front of a judge.
At the meeting, the trustee will look over your bankruptcy forms and ask a few questions to confirm your information. You’ll answer under oath. Answer honestly, and things usually go smoothly and quickly.
📫 Keep an eye out for any letters or emails from the court or trustee with details about your meeting, like the date, time, and whether it’s in person, by phone, or online. If any information is missing from your paperwork, the trustee may reschedule your meeting to give you time to fix it.
No matter how your meeting is held, you’ll need a photo ID (like a driver’s license) and your Social Security card. If your meeting is by phone, the trustee may ask you to send copies of your ID and Social Security card at least seven days in advance.
In most Chapter 7 cases, the 341 meeting is quick and uneventful. Once the trustee has what they need, they’ll thank you and let you know the meeting is over. That’s it!
Deal With Your Car
Many people worry about losing their car when they file bankruptcy, but the truth is that many filers get to keep their vehicle. Your options for your car will depend on whether you own it, lease it, or have a loan on it.
If You Own the Car
If you own your car outright (no loan or lease), you can usually keep it as long as it’s covered by a bankruptcy exemption.
If you use the federal exemptions, you can protect up to $5,025 of your car’s value.
If you use Michigan’s exemptions, the limit is $4,250.
We’ll go over exemptions more in a later section, but the key idea is this: If your car is worth less than the exemption amount, it’s likely safe.
If You Lease the Car
If you're leasing a car, you have two main options:
Reject the lease. You give the car back and end the lease with no penalties.
Assume the lease. You keep the lease going and continue driving the car, under the same terms as before.
If You Have a Car Loan
To keep a car with a loan, you must be current on your payments. Your lender may also ask you to sign a reaffirmation agreement, which means you agree to keep making payments on the loan even after your other debts are discharged in bankruptcy.
If you can’t afford the loan or don’t want to keep the car, you can choose to surrender it during bankruptcy. This means you give the car back to the lender.
If you do this, you won’t owe anything else, even if the car is worth less than the remaining loan balance. This can give you a clean slate and a chance to buy a more affordable car after your case is over.
If You’re Behind on Car Payments
Chapter 7 doesn’t help you catch up on missed car payments. If you want to keep your car but are behind on the loan, it may help to talk to an experienced bankruptcy attorney about Chapter 13. That type of bankruptcy can give you time to catch up on car or mortgage payments through a structured repayment plan.
Unlike Chapter 7, which is usually finished in a few months, Chapter 13 lasts 3–5 years and involves making regular payments to a court-appointed trustee.
Michigan Bankruptcy Means Test
To file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there’s a two-step process to figure out if you’re eligible based on your income. It’s called the means test because it’s checking to see if you have the means, or ability, to repay your debt based on your income.
Here’s how it generally works:
Check your monthly income.
This is based on the income you received over the last six full calendar months before you file. If your income is below Michigan’s median for your household size, you automatically pass this part of the test and can file under Chapter 7.
Take the means test (if needed).
If your income is above the median, you’ll move on to the second part of the test, which considers your regular living expenses. This shows how much disposable income you have. If you don’t have enough disposable income to pay off a significant portion of your debts, you may still qualify for Chapter 7.
Many Upsolve filers qualify during the first step of the means test. If you need to move on to the second step, it’s best to consult with a bankruptcy attorney. They can ensure you enter your expenses correctly and confirm your eligibility.
Data on Median Income Levels for Michigan
Michigan Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $5,332.83 | $63,994.00 |
| 2 | $6,533.67 | $78,404.00 |
| 3 | $8,233.33 | $98,800.00 |
| 4 | $10,106.08 | $121,273.00 |
| 5 | $11,031.08 | $132,373.00 |
| 6 | $11,956.08 | $143,473.00 |
| 7 | $12,881.08 | $154,573.00 |
| 8 | $13,806.08 | $165,673.00 |
| 9 | $14,731.08 | $176,773.00 |
| 10 | $15,656.08 | $187,873.00 |
Data on Poverty Levels for Michigan
Michigan Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2025Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,255.00 | $1,882.50 |
| 2 | $1,703.33 | $2,555.00 |
| 3 | $2,151.67 | $3,227.50 |
| 4 | $2,600.00 | $3,900.00 |
| 5 | $3,048.33 | $4,572.50 |
| 6 | $3,496.67 | $5,245.00 |
| 7 | $3,945.00 | $5,917.50 |
| 8 | $4,393.33 | $6,590.00 |
| 9 | $4,841.67 | $7,262.50 |
| 10 | $5,290.00 | $7,935.00 |
Michigan Bankruptcy Forms
Most bankruptcy forms are the same no matter where you file because they’re federal forms used across the country. But in Michigan, you’ll also need to complete a few local forms based on your district.
Both the Eastern and Western Districts have their own requirements.
✉️ You’ll also need to prepare a mailing matrix, which is just a list of all your creditors. Each district has specific rules about how this list should be formatted.
The Eastern District of Michigan provides a detailed checklist of all required local forms, including instructions for the creditor matrix.
The Western District requires two specific local forms.
Now that you know which forms you’ll need, let’s look at how to file them based on which district you’re in.
Michigan Districts & Filing Requirements
Michigan is split into two federal bankruptcy districts. Each district has its own court rules and local forms, so it's important to check which district you're in before you file.
You can use the court locator tool to confirm your district and review the specific filing guidelines.
💸 Regardless of which district you’re filling in, you’ll need to pay the bankruptcy court’s $338 filing fee by cash, money order, or cashier’s check. If you can’t afford the fee, include the fee waiver application with your bankruptcy paperwork when you file.
You can submit your bankruptcy paperwork in person or by mail, depending on what’s most convenient for you.
Eastern District of Michigan
The Eastern District of Michigan is divided into three divisions — Bay City, Detroit, and Flint — and covers 35 counties.
The Bay City Division covers counties in the northern and central parts of the state, including Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, and Tuscola.
The Detroit Division serves Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Sanilac, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.
The Flint Division includes Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties.
Again, the Eastern District of Michigan provides a detailed checklist of all required local forms, including instructions for the creditor matrix.
What To Bring to the 341 Meeting
If your case is in the Eastern District of Michigan, local rules require you to bring specific documents to your 341 meeting, including:
Proof of your income and expenses from the year before you filed
Life insurance policies
Proof of any joint debts
Details about divorce settlements or domestic support obligations
Keys to any non-exempt vehicles or property (if you’re turning them over in your case)
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Western District of Michigan
The Western District of Michigan is divided into five divisions: Grand Rapids, Marquette, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Traverse City.
The Grand Rapids Division serves Barry, Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.
The Marquette Division serves all counties located in the Upper Peninsula.
The Kalamazoo Division serves Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.
The Lansing Division serves Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties.
The Traverse City Division serves Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties.
The Western District requires two specific local forms for Chapter 7 filers: An asset protection report and the creditor matrix.
Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions
Bankruptcy exemptions are laws that let you keep certain property when you file for bankruptcy, like your home, car, or personal belongings. In Michigan, you can choose to use either the state exemptions or the federal exemptions, but not both.
There are a few key differences between the two:
If you're filing with a spouse, Michigan lets you double some of its exemption amounts. However, this doesn’t apply to the homestead exemption.
Michigan’s homestead exemption protects up to $46,125 of equity in your home. That’s more generous than the federal exemption, which protects up to $31,575.
If you’re 65 or older or have a disability, Michigan increases the homestead exemption to $69,200.
The important thing to know now is that exemptions play a big role in what property you can keep, and Michigan gives you options.
Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
If you’re thinking about working with a bankruptcy lawyer, most charge a flat fee for Chapter 7 cases. Many also offer a free initial consultation, so you can ask questions and get a sense of whether they’re a good fit before committing.
In Michigan, the cost to hire a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer usually starts around $1,100, but it can be much more depending on how complex your case is.
While cost is an important factor, it’s not the only thing to think about. It may help to consider:
The lawyer’s experience with Chapter 7 cases
Reviews or referrals from past clients
Whether you felt comfortable and understood when you met with them
Filing for bankruptcy is a big step. If you choose to work with a lawyer, finding someone you trust and can communicate with can make the process feel less stressful.
Michigan Legal Aid Organizations
If you're not comfortable filing for bankruptcy on your own, you may be able to get help from a legal aid organization in Michigan. These nonprofits offer free or low-cost legal assistance to people who qualify.
To get help, you’ll usually need to meet certain income criteria and complete an application. Legal aid can be a good option if you want guidance but can’t afford a private attorney.
