How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Michigan
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Michiganders file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Michigan.
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice.
Updated March 2, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Michigan
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Michigan involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee — and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify.
If your income is below Michigan’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
How filing works with Upsolve →
Michigan is divided into two bankruptcy districts: the Eastern District and the Western District. You can file your forms by mail or in person at your local courthouse. In the Eastern District, online filing is also an option.
Check the Michigan Bankruptcy Districts section to find your district, courthouse addresses, and local filing requirements for your county.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
We’ll cover how to pay the filing fee in your county in the Michigan Bankruptcy Districts section later.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
🚨Note: If you live in Michigan’s Eastern bankruptcy district, you’ll need to send your trustee some additional documents before your meeting. More on this in the Michigan Bankruptcy Districts section below.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Michigan Bankruptcy Districts
The Michigan Bankruptcy Court is divided into two districts: Eastern and Western.
The court that handles your case is determined by which county you live in, and each district has its own filing rules and requirements.
⬇️ You can use the table below to see which district and division you’re in or use the court locator tool.
| District | Division | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Bay City | Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Tuscola |
| Detroit | Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Sanilac, Washtenaw, Wayne | |
| Flint | Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Shiawassee | |
| Western | Grand Rapids | Barry, Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa |
| Marquette | all counties located in the Upper Peninsula | |
| Kalamazoo | Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren | |
| Lansing | Clinton, Eaton, Ingham | |
| Traverse City | Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford |
Local Forms/Requirements for the Eastern District
⬇️ Once you know your division, use the addresses below to find your courthouse.
| Division | Court Address |
|---|---|
| Bay City | U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Michigan 111 First Street Bay City, Michigan 48708 |
| Detroit | U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Michigan 211 West Fort Street Detroit, Michigan 48226 |
| Flint | U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Michigan 226 West Second Street Flint, Michigan 48502 |
In the Eastern District, you can file your bankruptcy forms in person or by mail to the courthouse that serves your county. If you prefer to file online, the court's Pro Se Electronic Document Upload allows you to upload your forms as PDFs. You’ll receive a confirmation email once they're received. The Eastern District uses the standard federal forms but also requires a few local forms:
Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Debtors Without an Attorney
List of Creditors: a document listing everyone you owe money to, formatted to the court's specifications
The court also has a detailed checklist of all required documents and a separate list of local forms that may apply depending on your situation.
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee online via Pay.gov using a debit card, PayPal, or ACH. If you're paying in person or by mail, money orders and cashier's checks are accepted — make them payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. If you're paying in person, you can also pay by ACH/debit or cash (exact change only; not accepted at the Bay City location).
Additional Documents to Send to Your Trustee
Eastern District trustees require you to send additional documents before your 341 meeting and bring them with you on the day. At a minimum, plan to have:
Six months of bank statements through your filing date, including any accounts like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, or Zelle
Current statements from each secured creditor showing the amount owed
Certificates of title for all titled assets like a car, boat, or mobile home
Mortgage documents, deed, and current real estate tax statement (if you own a home)
IRA, 401k, or pension statements
Divorce judgments or property settlement agreements
Information about any domestic support obligations or pending lawsuits
For the full list of documents to send your trustee in advance and documents to bring to your meeting, see the court's website.
Local Forms/Requirements for the Western District
In the Western District, you file your bankruptcy forms in person or by mail to the Grand Rapids courthouse. This is the filing location for all Western District counties:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan 1 Division Avenue North, Room 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The Western District uses the standard federal forms but also requires a few local forms:
Creditor Mailing Matrix: a document listing everyone you owe money to, formatted to the court's requirements
The court also has a detailed checklist of all required documents and a separate list of local forms that may apply depending on your situation.
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee online via Pay.gov using a debit card. If you're paying in person or by mail, money orders and cashier's checks are accepted — make them payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. If you're paying in person at the Grand Rapids courthouse, you can also pay by ACH/debit or exact cash.
Free Legal Aid in Michigan
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Michigan.
Lakeshore Legal Aid (586) 510-1814 30500 Van Dyke, Suite 601 Warren, MI 48093 Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672 25 Division South, Suite 300 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (810) 234-2621 436 South Saginaw Street Flint, MI 48502 Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303 806 Ludington Street Escanaba, MI 49829 Michigan Indian Legal Services, Inc. (231) 947-0122 814 South Garfield Avenue, Suite A Traverse City, MI 49686-2401
