Royal Oak Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney
A woman-led Detroit practice serving Oakland County. Wendy Turner Lewis has over 25 years in private practice. Personal guidance by phone and secure document preparation; no Royal Oak branch office is claimed.
Preparing for Chapter 7 in Royal Oak
Royal Oak is in Oakland County, within the Eastern District of Michigan’s Southern Division. Nearby communities include Berkley and Huntington Woods. Residence, property, income and debt facts—not a city label—determine the analysis. Use this local preparation guide alongside the Chapter 7 guide and categorized FAQ.
Rent and a place to live require more than a debt total
If housing pressure is part of your situation, gather the lease, rent ledger, notices and any eviction judgment or hearing date. A personal obligation for old rent may be dischargeable, but that does not guarantee a right to stay. Certain eviction situations have stay exceptions. Keep a new rental budget separate from assumptions about what will happen to an old balance.
Map the route from a collection suit to payroll
Gather the complaint, judgment, garnishment writ and employer information. Tell counsel about deductions already made and any upcoming hearing. Do not assume a lawsuit is too old to matter or that scheduling a consultation tells the creditor to stop. If you own a Royal Oak home, also disclose recorded liens and current mortgage documents; a discharge and lien removal are not the same process.
What to gather for a joint or shared account
Identify who owns money in each account and who is responsible for each debt, including co-signers and non-filing household members. Current statements matter even if an account is used only to receive wages or benefits. Do not move balances based on a blanket claim that one bank or account type is always protected. Gather the records, explain the deposits and ask for an individual plan.
Your bankruptcy court and 341 meeting
Detroit bankruptcy court service area
The official bankruptcy court directory lists Oakland County with Detroit: 211 West Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226. This is a federal courthouse address, not a firm office. Actual venue, assignment and court notices control. A local collection lawsuit or federal district-court jury location is not the same thing as bankruptcy assignment.
Source: E.D. Michigan — Detroit court and county coverage · 28 U.S.C. §102 — Michigan district boundaries and statutory divisionsUsually a video meeting—not a courthouse visit
Chapter 7 meetings for cases filed on or after September 1, 2023 generally use Zoom under the official district policy. An exception or in-person alternative is arranged case by case. Oakland County appears in the Detroit alternate in-person meeting group; the actual notice supplies the location and instructions. Do not use the courthouse address above as a meeting address unless directed.
No meeting ID, passcode or personal case information is published here. Hearings and meetings are different; do not assume every court appearance is remote.
Source: Bankruptcy court announcement — Zoom 341 meetingsA secure next step from your community
Much of the intake process can be handled by phone and the secure encrypted upload form. The firm’s only listed office is 444 W. Willis Street in Detroit; no additional office is implied. Never email SSNs or ID photos. Use the secure upload form for documents and completed PDF questionnaires. The encrypted Cognito upload form is active. Write only the last four SSN digits in the PDF questionnaire. Upload ID and SSN proof securely.
What to gather · Client questionnaires and secure upload · All 34 counties and court/meeting distinctions · Eligibility estimate and costs
Chapter 7 attorney fee: $1,300. Reaffirmation agreement hearings are included in the $1,300 attorney fee. Payment plans available on the attorney fee. In Chapter 7, the attorney fee is generally paid before the case is filed, so plans are arranged before filing. The $338 court filing fee is paid separately. The $1,300 does not include credit counseling or debtor-education course fees or services, or adversary proceedings. The attorney and court fees total $1,638 before excluded items. The written engagement agreement confirms scope and any additional charges.
Let’s discuss your Royal Oak questions.
Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation by Zoom or phone. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of whether Chapter 7 fits your situation.
Booking does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Return documents securely
Use the encrypted secure form for supporting documents and completed PDF questionnaires. Never email SSNs, IDs or financial documents.
Upload documents securely