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1324 W Bristol Rd
Flint, MI 48507
Monday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Thursday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Friday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Saturday: 9 AM-12 PM
Sunday: Closed
Appointments as late as 6:30 Mon-Th by phone only
Liquidation bankruptcy can help you get rid of any dischargeable debt. It may be your last resort to get rid of the debt and attain financial freedom.
If you are struggling financially, then we can help you. Our experienced Lansing Chapter 7 lawyers are open now and here 24/7 to assist you through these difficulties.
We have served the Western Michigan area for over 25 years and helped with 40,000 bankruptcy filings.
Frego & Associates knows how to help you in this difficult time and assist you through the nuances of bankruptcy. Call (810) 424-1614 for a free Chapter 7 bankruptcy consultation.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is when your non-exempt assets are sold (liquidated) by a trustee to pay off your creditors. This is also dubbed liquidation bankruptcy, as a court-appointed representative will sell your non-exempt assets and repay creditors. Small businesses or individuals usually opt for this chapter.
This eliminates any debt effectively while allowing you to keep any exempt property or belongings. It provides a fresh financial start for individuals or smaller enterprises, where selling off key assets and paying off the creditors is the only way out.
If you are facing financial challenges, opting for liquidation might be a solid choice. We can look at your case and analyze possible strategies and explore other avenues for you. Our Lansing bankruptcy attorneys will help you with the steps ahead.
In 2025, around 3,900 bankruptcies were filed in Western District of Michigan Bankruptcy court. Of these around 2,620 were Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings. [1]
Bankruptcy filing is a complicated process, and legal assistance can make things much simpler for you. Our bankruptcy law firm has handled over 40,000 bankruptcy cases.
Here is how our Chapter 7 attorneys will help:
Paperwork Accuracy: One of the biggest challenges anyone faces in bankruptcy filing is the paperwork. We are the largest bankruptcy law firm in Michigan since 1999, and we will accurately handle and file all the paperwork for you.
Protection of Assets: We know the concern you are experiencing regarding your assets. Some assets do not only have a financial value, but also carry emotional weight. We fight to ensure the protection of your assets, such as your house and your car.
Representation in Court: Legal representation throughout the bankruptcy process is very beneficial for court representation. Handling these on your own is possible, but not recommended. We will handle the necessary hearings, objections, and communicate with creditors on your behalf.
Rapid debt relief is one of the leading benefits of Chapter 7 for many businesses and individuals. It discharges any unsecured debt, such as credit cards and medical bills. It also stops creditor harassment and collection efforts via a court-ordered automatic stay.
This fresh financial start offers many benefits, including the following:
| Benefits for Individuals | Benefits for Small Businesses |
| Automatic stay protection | Asset liquidation orderly |
| Debt discharge granted | Debt transparency provided |
| Exemptions protect property | Efficient closure process |
| Fast financial reset | Formal business dissolution |
| Liability legally erased | Liability limits defined |
| Unsecured debt relief | Unprofitable operations end |
If you need assistance with filing, talk to our Chapter 7 lawyers today.
Sole proprietors and individuals stand to gain the most from Chapter 7, as it discharges most unsecured debt.
While LLCs and corporations do not get a debt discharge, filing for liquidation bankruptcy does provide an automatic stay on personal and business debt.
The debt types eliminated for businesses and individuals are as follows:
| Individual Debt | Small Business/Sole Proprietor Debt |
| Collection agency accounts | Business credit cards |
| Credit card balances | Commercial lease obligations |
| Medical billing costs | Equipment rental contracts |
| Past-due utility bills | Inventory supplier invoices |
| Personal loan amounts (i.e. student loans) | Professional service fees |
| Repossession deficiency balances | Unsecured business loans |
Debt discharge and getting rid of personal liability in this chapter of bankruptcy are two of the leading advantages. We also know how important an automatic stay can be for you in difficult financial times. Our experienced Chapter 7 attorneys are with you, and we will help you through the legal process.
Any assets classified as exempt are protected by Chapter 7. Under federal and state law (Michigan), the exemptions may differ. In specific cases, the court may make additional exemptions based on circumstances.
Here are the key assets protected by bankruptcy laws in Lansing:
College Savings Accounts: If you have 529 College Savings Plans or Michigan Education Savings Program benefits, then they will be protected by Michigan law.
Primary Residence (Homestead Exemption): Your primary residence is protected by the local laws in liquidation bankruptcy filings. Senior or disabled citizens can protect their equity of around $250,000. Married couples or filers in joint cases can protect equity of $125,000 each. Michigan House Bill 4901
Personal Property: Any personal property essential to living is protected. This may include furniture, clothing, household goods, computers, phones, etc. The value of these protected assets can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Retirement Accounts and Pensions: Your retirement accounts and other important assets are also protected by local law. Under the Public Employee Retirement Benefit Protection Act, you will be able to keep any pension assets, define fiduciary duties, and earn benefits. This also includes 401(k), 403(b), and IRAs (with federal limits of $1.5 million). MCL 600.6023(1)(k)$)
Trade/Business Tools: Any tools of your trade are protected by local and federal laws in bankruptcy filings for liquidation. This applies to computers, crops, farm animals, motor vehicles, etc. The value of exempt tools may be $3,075, with higher exceptions in certain cases. MCL 600.6023
Vehicle/Automobile: You get to keep your personal or work-related vehicle. For a work-related vehicle, $2,250 equity is ensured by Michigan law. For personal vehicles, no such limit applies, as it is considered personal property.
You have the right to keep exempt assets under federal and Michigan laws. Rest assured that we will protect everything that the law allows you to keep.
You will have to take the means test to qualify for a liquidation bankruptcy filing. Under federal and state laws, this means test will analyze your expenses, income, and other important factors. The household size and financial situation are also taken into account.
The key factors considered in the means test are as follows:
Keep in mind that:
We will assess your case ahead of time and examine your eligibility for liquidation. Our experienced Chapter 7 lawyers will help you through every step of the way.
We will help you gather the Chapter 7 filing requirements, including:
Filing requirements can be one of the challenging aspects of filing for bankruptcy in Lansing. That is where our Chapter 7 attorneys will step in and handle things for you.
The filing process for liquidation is straightforward once the requirements are met. The initial stages will include assessment, before documentation and credit counselling begin. The final stages will include petitioning, trustee review meetings, and the discharge of debt.
Here is how each step of the filing phase will go:
This is your chance to bounce back. You are not alone in this, as our local Lansing Chapter 7 attorneys will be with you every step of the way. Our legal team has been supporting the financial recovery of Lansing residents as the largest bankruptcy law firm in Michigan since 1999.
Here is how we will help you in this challenging time:
You are just a phone call away from the legal representation that you need. Let us help you in this difficult time and get the financial relief that you are looking for.
Contact us today and get a free Chapter 7 bankruptcy consultation.
This will depend on the assets you have, as most liquidation bankruptcies are finalized within the first 3-6 months. From filing to discharge of your debt, the entire process may take up to 5-7 months.
If you are a small business looking to pay off your debt, then you can opt for Chapter 7. This will repay your debt and give you a chance to bounce back. If you are a business that is looking to repay the debt while keeping the business, then you can file for Chapter 11. The latter allows you to continue operating the business as “debtor-in-possession” while you repay the debt.
Any unsecured debt not tied to collateral will be discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This means you will be able to wipe out credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, utility bills, etc. You can also discharge any past due rent within a few months. The legal liability is eliminated for these debt types in filing Chapter 7. It also puts an automatic stay, preventing debt collection efforts by creditors.
Source:
[1] 2025 Case Statistics US Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan. (2025). US Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan. httpss://ecf.miwb.uscourts.gov/ecfstatsdash-new.html
Received Accolades:
206-2010, 2012, 2014-2021
American Bankruptcy Institute
Certified as a Bankruptcy Specialist by ABC
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Better Business Bureau
23843 Joy Rd
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
Monday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Thursday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Friday: 9 AM-5:15 PM
Saturday: 9 AM-12 PM
Sunday: Closed
We offer late night appointments as late as 6:30 by phone or in person Mon-Thur.