Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Michigan has two federal bankruptcy districts: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (https://www.mieb.uscourts.gov) and the Western District of Michigan (https://www.miwb.uscourts.gov).

1 person: $67,352; 2 people: $83,432; 3 people: $103,449; 4 people: $123,010; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).

Filers may choose either the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) or Michigan's bankruptcy-specific exemption list in MCL 600.5451 (which a debtor may use "under 11 USC 522(b)(2)").

Under MCL 600.5451: $51,150 for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026 ($76,725 if the debtor or a dependent is 65 or older or disabled); statutory base $30,000 / $45,000. A homestead is a dwelling and its land up to 40 acres outside a recorded plat, city or village, or one lot inside one.

One motor vehicle: $4,725 for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026 (statutory base $2,775).

None. Michigan's bankruptcy exemption list (MCL 600.5451) has no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing.

All IRAs and Roth IRAs (and their distributions) are exempt, except portions subject to divorce or child support orders and contributions made within 120 days before filing. Interests in 401 qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans and 403(b) annuities are also exempt, with similar exceptions.

MCL 600.5451's bankruptcy exemption list does not include an exemption for earned but unpaid wages.

E.D. Mich. has a "Filing Without an Attorney" page, a Pro Se Law Clerk's Office, a pro se electronic document upload program, and a link to free legal assistance (ABC). W.D. Mich. has a "For Debtors" section with filing checklists, a creditor matrix guide, and a legal assistance flyer.

Western District of Michigan: paragraph 16 of the court's Memorandum Regarding Allowance of Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses for Court-Appointed Professionals (effective January 1, 2024) provides that, for chapter 13 cases filed on or after January 1, 2024, the court may approve a "no look" fee not to exceed $3,400.00 (a $225.00 per hour presumptive hourly rate) for services rendered through confirmation; attorneys who personally attended at least seven hours of bankruptcy education seminars in the prior calendar year and so certify may be awarded up to $4,100.00 (a $300.00 per hour presumptive rate); and attorneys certified by the American Board of Certification may be awarded up to $4,675 (a $350.00 per hour presumptive rate). The memorandum states these fees are not entitlements; fees above them require an itemized fee application covering all services. Eastern District of Michigan: under Local Rule 2016-1(c) (local rules including amendments through December 10, 2018), notwithstanding the fee application requirement, an order confirming plan in a chapter 13 case may award the debtor's attorney fees and expenses up to $3,500.00 in total for pre-confirmation services; fee applications requesting more than $3,500.00 must identify the circumstances that make the amount reasonable.