Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Michigan
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Michigan means test and exemptions, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Michigan: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee is allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits it. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee will be determined; at the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the client's share and how it was figured. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 adds requirements for some contingent fee agreements. Lawyers may not charge a criminal defendant a contingent fee, or charge a domestic relations fee contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, or based on the lawyer's success, results obtained, value added or any factor that leaves the client unable to discern how the fee is determined. |
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| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Michigan Client Protection Fund reimburses clients harmed by a lawyer's dishonest conduct, such as theft or embezzlement of estate, trust or settlement funds, or failing to return unearned fees; it does not cover malpractice, negligence, fee disputes or consequential damages. Limits: $150,000 per claimant and $375,000 for all claims against one attorney (prorated if exceeded). File within two years after the loss or six months after discovery, whichever is later (or within one year after a discipline determination or the lawyer's death). A Request for Investigation with the Attorney Grievance Commission is part of the application. There is no filing fee; a lawyer who helps may charge no more than $250 unless the State Bar authorizes more. Contact: cpf@michbar.org, (517) 346-6354. Fund home: https://www.michbar.org/client/protectionfund |
Michigan rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | 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. Eastern District Local Rules: https://www.mieb.uscourts.gov/sites/mieb/files/Local%20Bankruptcy%20Rules.pdf |
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| Means test median income | 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). The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required. |
| Homestead exemption | 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. Statute text: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-5451. 2026 adjusted amounts from the Michigan Treasurer's notice dated January 30, 2026 (MCL 600.5451(4)); adjusted amounts apply to cases filed on or after April 1 following the adjustment date (April 1, 2026). Notice: https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/-/media/Project/Websites/treasury/ORTA/Economic-Reports-Notices/FY-2026/Bankruptcy-Notice_-March-2026-Signed.pdf |
| State or federal exemptions | 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)"). No Michigan statute denying the federal exemptions was identified. Under 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(2), the federal list applies unless state law "specifically does not so authorize." Spouses filing together must both use the same system. Which state's exemptions apply depends on where the filer was domiciled for the 730 days before filing (522(b)(3)(A)). |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service matches people who can afford to hire a lawyer with a participating panel lawyer; a referral assistant matches you by type of matter and area. Per the program rules (May 2023), the service "charges a $25 administrative fee" and the panelist "will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge"; the fee is waived for residential tenants, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants and personal injury plaintiffs. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. A Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys offering reduced-cost help. Program rules: https://www.michbar.org/file/lrs/lrs-programrules.pdf |
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| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints (Requests for Investigation) about Michigan lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission. Anyone may file, using the AGC form or a signed letter describing the misconduct with approximate time and place and any documents (unbound, unstapled). Requests are not accepted electronically or by fax; mail them to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 2100, Troy, MI 48084. Intake decides whether the lawyer must respond or dismisses (you may ask for reconsideration); after investigation the Commission may close the file, issue a consensual admonition, place the lawyer on contractual probation, or authorize formal charges before the Attorney Discipline Board, and notifies the parties in writing. A lawyer's public disciplinary record can be requested from the Commission. Phone: 313-961-6585. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Michigan's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services. |
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All legal help in Michigan · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.