Saginaw Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney
A woman-led Detroit practice serving Saginaw County. Wendy Turner Lewis has over 25 years in private practice. Personal guidance by phone and secure document preparation; no Saginaw branch office is claimed.
Preparing for Chapter 7 in Saginaw
Saginaw is in Saginaw County, within the Eastern District of Michigan’s Northern Division. Nearby communities include Frankenmuth and Bridgeport. 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.
Northern Division does not mean a second firm office
Saginaw County is within the Northern Division and the Bay City bankruptcy court service area. Consultations and much intake can be handled by phone and secure upload, while actual case notices control meetings and hearings. The firm’s office remains in Detroit; this page is not a claim of a Saginaw or Bay City branch. Tell counsel early about technology, accessibility or scheduling concerns.
Retain benefit and payroll records alongside collection notices
If your budget includes Social Security, disability, unemployment or changing wages, identify each source and preserve deposit records. Benefit treatment is program-specific; not all receipts are counted or protected in the same way. For a garnishment, gather the judgment, writ and deductions. For foreclosure or a tax notice, retain the complete packet and dates rather than assuming every housing collection process follows the same rules.
What to gather for a workable fresh-start plan
Organize debts, bank accounts, property, retirement, vehicles and ongoing expenses using the checklist. Include jointly held assets and co-signers even if they live elsewhere. A manageable post-filing budget should include housing, utilities, insurance and transportation; a discharge alone does not pay new bills. Discuss chapters and alternatives with the actual records so decisions reflect your household rather than the distance from the courthouse.
Your bankruptcy court and 341 meeting
Bay City bankruptcy court service area
The official bankruptcy court directory lists Saginaw County with Bay City: 111 First Street, Bay City, MI 48708. 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 Bankruptcy Court — Bay City counties/location · 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. Saginaw County appears in the Bay City 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 Saginaw 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