Filing for Bankruptcy in Michigan

This comprehensive guide explains Michigan bankruptcy exemptions, eligibility requirements, and filing procedures for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

By , Attorney University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Updated 10/29/2025

Michigan bankruptcy exemptions let you keep essential property when you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, including homestead, vehicle, and a wildcard, subject to Michigan's rules. This guide explains Michigan bankruptcy exemptions, filing for bankruptcy in Michigan, and when Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 makes sense.

You'll learn what property is protected, how the means test affects eligibility, and what paperwork and deadlines to expect in Michigan courts. If you're weighing debt relief options, use this overview to decide whether to file, what you can keep, and how to prepare the right forms.

What Are Michigan Bankruptcy Laws and Who Qualifies?

If you're struggling financially and aren't sure what to do, filing for bankruptcy in Michigan can provide a structured, lawful way to rebuild your finances. Economic changes are making it increasingly difficult for American families to weather job losses, illnesses, and other emergencies, leading to a rise in bankruptcy filings nationwide.

How to File Bankruptcy in Michigan: Chapter 7 vs. 13

These are the key factors to help you decide whether to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in Michigan.

Chapter 7 "Liquidation" Bankruptcy

 Chapter 13 "Repayment Plan" Bankruptcy Citations

Duration to Discharge

 three to six months three to five years 11 U.S.C. § 727(a); § 1322(d)

Filing Fee

 $338 (subject to change) $313 (subject to change) 28 U.S.C. § 1930; as of October 2025 (subject to change)

Potential Property Loss

 Yes. Nonexempt assets are sold for creditors. No. Filers pay the value of nonexempt assets through the plan and keep the property. 11 U.S.C. § 541, § 726, § 1322(b)(2)

Means Test Required

Yes. Income can't exceed limits; filers must not have disposable income to repay debts.

 No. However, filers must earn enough to pay the required Chapter 13 plan amount. 11 U.S.C. § 707(b); § 1325(b)

Debt Limits

 None Unsecured $526,700; secured $1,580,125

11 U.S.C. § 109(e); April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2028

Best For

 Lower income, limited assets.

Regular income, want to avoid property loss.

 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A); § 109(e)

Biggest Benefits

 Erases most debts quickly without requiring repayment.

Saves homes and cars by catching up on payments over time; can pay to keep property that would be lost in Chapter 7; can repay nondischargeable debts over time.

 11 U.S.C. § 362 (automatic stay)

Main Downsides

 Property not covered by exemptions is lost.

The repayment plan requires payment of all disposable income to creditors for years, with court oversight. Payment isn't always affordable.

 11 U.S.C. § 727(a); § 1307

Mortgage and Car Payments

 No catch-up for missed payments, risk of property loss to the lender. Can catch up on missed payments in the plan and keep a house, car, or other property serving as collateral. 11 U.S.C. § 1322(b)(5)

Nondischargeable Debts

Debts that aren't eliminated include child support, many taxes, and student loans. Debt will remain after bankruptcy.

 Nondischargeable debts are repaid in the plan. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)

Previous Chapter 7 Filings

 Eight years after prior Ch. 7; six after Ch. 13

Four years after Ch. 7; two years after Ch. 13

 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8); § 1328(f)

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Michigan: Fast Debt Relief

If your primary goal is to erase debt fast, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the best option. It eliminates unsecured debts, such as credit cards and medical bills, typically within a few months. However, you could lose property exceeding Michigan's exemption limits because the Chapter 7 trustee can sell that property to repay creditors.

Who Qualifies for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Michigan

The steps you'll need to take will depend on whether your income falls below or above your state's median income. The U.S. Trustee Program "Means Testing" page has current amounts.

Income Below Median

If your gross yearly family income is below Michigan's median income for your family size, you qualify. For a filing between November 1, 2025, and May 14, 2026, you would be eligible at or below the following limits:

  • $65,625 for a one-person household
  • $81,293 for a two-person household
  • $100,797 for a three-person household, and
  • $119,856 for a four-person household.

Income Above Median

If your gross family income is higher than the median, an additional "means test" calculation is necessary to determine your eligibility. This test lets you subtract expenses from your income and determines whether you have anything left to pay creditors.

Take the bankruptcy eligibility quiz. Find out about particular issues and whether you qualify by taking the Chapter 7 bankruptcy quiz.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Michigan: Repayment Plans to Keep Your Home

Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. Most people pay a minimal amount toward debts they can discharge (erase).

Chapter 13 vs. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Michigan

Chapter 13 can help prevent foreclosure or repossession, allowing filers to keep assets like homes and cars while catching up on missed mortgage or vehicle payments. Because Chapter 7 doesn't have a repayment plan, most people lose their home or car if they file when they're behind.

Chapter 13 Income Requirements and Eligibility in Michigan

A fundamental requirement for Chapter 13 is having a regular income source to fund your repayment plan. Also, your total debt must fall within specific limits, which are updated periodically (check the chart above for current amounts).

Try the payment calculator. Estimate your Chapter 13 repayment plan in minutes using the Chapter 13 payment calculator.

Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions: What You Can Keep

You keep assets protected by specific bankruptcy exemptions. In Chapter 7, nonexempt property is sold for the creditors. In Chapter 13, you can keep nonexempt property by paying its value in your repayment plan.

You can choose whether you use the state exemption list or the list of federal bankruptcy exemptions, but you can't mix and match exemptions from both sets. The federal bankruptcy exemption amounts below are valid until March 31, 2028.

Federal Exemptions vs. Michigan State Exemptions Table

Exemption Category

 Federal Exemptions Michigan Exemptions

Homestead or Residential Property
  • Homestead exemption up to $46,125.
  • Up to $69,200 if the debtor is 65 or older or disabled.
  • Applies to a principal residence owned or being purchased, including a condo, co-op unit, manufactured or mobile home on land not owned by the debtor, motor home, boat, or other watercraft.
  • Can't exceed 40 acres outside a recorded plat or one lot or parcel within a recorded plat, city, or village. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5451(m); Mich. Const. art. X, § 3; Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 559.214, 600.6022, 600.6023, 600.6024, 600.6027.)
Motor Vehicles
  • $5,025. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(2).)
  • One motor vehicle up to $4,250.
  • Financial responsibility deposits are exempt (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 600.5451(1)(g), 257.524.)
Personal Property and Wildcard
  • $16,850 aggregate value ($800 per item) in household furnishings, household goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, animals, crops, or musical instruments.
  • $2,125 in jewelry.
  • $1,675 in any property, plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead exemption.
  • Professionally prescribed health aids. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(3),(4),(5),(9).)
  • Household goods, furniture, utensils, books, appliances, and jewelry up to $700 per item, not to exceed $4,625 total. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5451(c).)
  • Pew in a place of worship up to $800; crops, farm animals, and feed up to $3,075 total; pets up to $800; computer and accessories up to $800. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5451(d), (e), (f), (h).)
  • Family pictures, arms required by law, $1,000 in household goods (including books), and six months' provisions for the debtor's family. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.6023; § 600.6060.)
Trade Implements
  • $3,175. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(6).)
  • Tools of the trade are exempt up to $3,075.
  • $1,000 in any single item, enabling the debtor to carry on a business, is exempt. (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 600.6023(5)(e), 600.5451(i).)
Alimony, Support, Separate Maintenance
  • To the extent reasonably necessary for support. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(10)(D).)
  • N/A
Claims for Negligence or Tortious Conduct
  • Wrongful death payments to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • $31,575 for personal bodily injury (not including pain and suffering or pecuniary loss).
  • Loss of future earnings to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(11)(B),(C),(D),(E).)
  • N/A

Crime Victims' Compensation
  • Awards under crime victims' reparation laws. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(11)(A).)
  • Exempt except for expenses related to the injury that is the basis of the claim. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 18.362.)

Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits
  • N/A
  • N/A

Insurance Benefits
  • Unmatured life insurance contract (except credit life insurance).
  • $16,850 in accrued dividends, interest, or loan value of unmatured life insurance.
  • Life insurance proceeds for an insured of whom the debtor was a dependent, to the extent reasonably necessary for support. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(7),(8),(11)(B),(C).)
  • Policy terms exempting proceeds or payments under a life or endowment policy or annuity contract from a beneficiary's creditors are enforceable. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 500.2207.)
  • Disability insurance benefits are exempt, subject to claims for necessities contracted after benefits accrue. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 500.4054; § 600.6023(6).)

Pensions & Retirement Benefits
  • Stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, or similar plan payments—to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • Tax-exempt and qualified retirement plans—federal cap for IRAs is $1,711,975. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(10)(E),(12), (n).)
  • Various civil service pensions and related benefits are exempt (Mich. Comp. Laws § 38.40 and provisions cited thereafter; § 600.6023.)
  • Individual retirement accounts are exempt, subject to claims under eligible domestic relations orders. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.6023.)

Public Assistance
  • Social Security benefits.
  • Unemployment compensation.
  • Local public assistance benefits.
  • Veterans benefits.
  • Disability, illness, or unemployment benefits. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(10)(A),(B),(C).)
  • Benefits granted under the Social Welfare Act are exempt.
  • Family support subsidy payments are exempt. (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 400.63, 330.1158a.)
  • Unemployment compensation is exempt, except for obligations for necessities incurred during unemployment. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 421.30.)
  • Workers compensation benefits are exempt. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 418.821.)
  • Veterans' bonus payments related to WWII, Korean, and Vietnam service are exempt. (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 35.926, 35.977, 35.1027.)

Wages
  • N/A
  • Householders with a family can exempt 60% of weekly wages (not less than $15 per week) plus $2 per week per dependent other than a spouse.
  • Other debtors can exempt 40% of weekly wages (not less than $10 per week). (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5311.)

Partnership Property
  • N/A
  • Partner's interest in specific partnership property is exempt from claims of individual creditors. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 449.25.)

Tenancies by the Entirety
  • N/A
  • Interests might be exempt under appropriate circumstances, but an individual debtor's interest in entireties property is reachable by joint creditors and not exempt (In re Trickett, 14 B.R. 85 (Bankr. W.D. Mich. 1981); In re Grosslight, 757 F.2d 773 (6th Cir. 1985).)

Step-by-Step: How to File for Bankruptcy in Michigan

When you first file, both the Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 processes are similar.

Step 1. Complete Credit Counseling

Complete a U.S. Trustee-approved credit counseling course within 180 days before filing. Also, make sure you are prepared to file for bankruptcy by securing housing, transportation, and a bank account in good standing.

Step 2. Assemble Financial Documents

Gather all financial documents you'll need to complete and file the bankruptcy forms, including pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and debt lists (we've highlighted what you'll need below).

Step 3. File in the Correct Michigan District

File your forms with the Eastern District of Michigan or the Western District of Michigan, depending on where you live. You'll find instructions for filing your paperwork, local rules, and more. Fees can be waived or paid in installments. Once you file, the automatic stay will go into effect. Almost all collection efforts, lawsuits, garnishments, and foreclosures stop when you file.

Step 4. Attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors

Attend this mandatory court-supervised session. After the 341 meeting, all filers complete the second required U.S. Trustee-approved course, debtor education. Chapter 13 filers must also attend a plan confirmation (approval) hearing and complete the repayment plan.

Step 5. Receive the Discharge

After fulfilling requirements, the court issues a discharge order that erases eligible debts.

Step 6. After Filing for Bankruptcy in Michigan

After discharge, you'll want to maintain financial stability by reviewing your credit report and rebuilding credit. Maintaining emergency savings is another good way to avoid another bankruptcy.

Learn more details about bankruptcy and whether it's better to file for Chapter 7 or 13.

Michigan Bankruptcy FAQs 2025

Can I keep my car if I file for bankruptcy in Michigan?

You can keep a vehicle if your equity is within the exemption limit. If it's financed, you must be and stay current on payments in Chapter 7. You can catch up on missed payments and keep your car in Chapter 13.

Will I lose my house in bankruptcy in Michigan?

As long as your home equity is exempt and you stay current on payments, you should be able to keep your house in Chapter 7. If you're behind on payments, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up and keep your home. Learn which chapter to file to keep your house.

Can I file bankruptcy again if I've filed before?

Yes, but bankruptcy waiting periods apply. You must wait eight years between Chapter 7 filings. The time is reduced to six years if you choose to file for Chapter 13 after filing for Chapter 7.

How much does bankruptcy cost?

You'll pay filing fees, counseling and debtor education course fees, as well as attorney costs, which vary according to the bankruptcy chapter and case complexity. A Chapter 7 case typically costs between $1,800 and $3,500. You'll likely pay $3,500 to $5,000 for Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs must be paid in full before filing. However, legal fees can be included in the Chapter 13 plan.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 remains on your credit report for up to 10 years. Chapter 13 stays on your credit report for seven years. However, the impact diminishes over time, and many people see credit improvement within a year or two.

How long does Chapter 7 take in Michigan?

Chapter 7 typically takes three to five months to complete. While you'll receive your discharge within that time, the case could remain open longer if the trustee needs to sell property or resolve litigation.

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Michigan?

Many people can file for bankruptcy without a lawyer if they're willing to do the proper research. Simple Chapter 7 cases tend to be the most successful—those with dischargeable debts and minimal assets. Bankruptcy courts advise against filing a Chapter 13 without a lawyer because Chapter 13 cases are complicated and rarely successful without a lawyer's help.

What debts can't be discharged in a Michigan bankruptcy

You won't be able to eliminate support obligations and most taxes. Student loans can be eliminated, but you must file a bankruptcy lawsuit and prove that paying the loans would be an "undue hardship." Learn more about nondischargeable debts in bankruptcy.

Did you know Nolo has made the law accessible for over fifty years? It's true, and we wholeheartedly encourage research and learning. However, online articles and resources can't address all bankruptcy issues and aren't written with the facts of your particular case in mind. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.

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