Compassionate Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys Serving Battle Creek, Lansing & All of Michigan
A fresh start shouldn't come with judgment. We'll give you a clear, honest answer on whether Chapter 7 is right for you — and guide you through every step if it is.
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy • Free Means Test Review • Bilingual Attorney • Payment Plans Available
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy • Free Means Test Review • Bilingual Attorney • Payment Plans Available
We Handle the Legal Side, So You Can Focus on Getting Back on Your Feet
Wood & Associates PLLC provides Chapter 7 bankruptcy representation from offices in Battle Creek and Lansing, serving clients throughout Michigan. The firm evaluates each client against Michigan's means test, prepares and files the bankruptcy petition, and represents clients through the process to discharge, including the required meeting of creditors.
Debt doesn't happen because someone did something wrong — job loss, medical bills, and life's other surprises add up faster than anyone plans for. We've helped Michigan clients through Chapter 7 for years, and we treat every conversation with the respect it deserves, not judgment.
Do You Qualify? Michigan's Chapter 7 Means Test
Michigan's means test compares your household income to the state's median income for a household of your size. If your income falls below that median, you generally qualify for Chapter 7 automatically. If it's above the median, a further calculation based on allowed monthly expenses — housing, transportation, healthcare, and more — may still qualify you. There's no way to know for certain without running your actual numbers, which is exactly what a consultation is for.
What Chapter 7 Typically Discharges:
- Credit card debt
- Medical bills
- Personal loans and most other unsecured debt
What Chapter 7 Typically Does Not Discharge:
- Student loans
- Most tax debt
- Child support and alimony obligations
Why Clients Trust Us With Something This Personal
Filing bankruptcy is one of the harder financial decisions someone can make, and it's never treated like just another form here. This is the firm's own list of what sets it apart — and every case is handled with all six in mind.
Exceptional communication and responsiveness.
We answer calls live, and chat messages get a callback within about 15 minutes during business hours — because when you're ready to talk about something this personal, you deserve an actual person, not a voicemail box.
Welcoming, real people.
From the attorney handling your case to the team supporting them, you'll be treated like a person working through a hard financial moment, not a file number.
Inclusive service, with deep ties to the LGBTQ+ community.
Every client gets the same respect and judgment-free guidance, regardless of who they are or how they got here.
A bilingual Spanish/English attorney on staff — a rare asset in this region.
Spanish-speaking clients can work through their plan directly with an attorney, not just a translated page. (Front-desk reception is not currently Spanish-speaking — let us know when you call, and we'll connect you with an attorney who speaks Spanish.)
Proven results and experience.
Our attorneys have guided Michigan clients through Chapter 7 filings for years, and we bring that same experience to every case we take on.
Flexible payment options.
A third-party, no-credit-check Pay Later financing option means getting debt relief doesn't require taking on more debt just to get started.
The People Behind Your Case
Every case here is handled by real people, not a call center and not a rotating cast of strangers. Meet a few of the attorneys and staff who might be the first friendly face you see.
Wood & Associates PLLC handles family law, estate planning and probate, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, administrative law matters like license restoration and CPS appeals, DUI/OWI defense, and Minor in Possession (MIP) defense — one team, wherever you're starting from.
Kent Wood II
President & Founder
Brigette Booser
Attorney and Counselor
Paul Umlauf
Attorney
Jennifer Reed
Attorney
Jami Rosado
Senior Paralegal
Hannah Robinson
Attorney
Sarah Hayes
Legal Secretary
Kent Wood II
President & Founder
Brigette Booser
Attorney and Counselor
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan?
Michigan's means test compares your household income to the state median for your family size. If your income is below the median, you generally qualify for Chapter 7 automatically. If it's above, additional calculations based on allowed expenses may still qualify you. Wood & Associates reviews your specific numbers during a consultation.
What debts does Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminate?
Chapter 7 typically discharges credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and most other unsecured debt. It generally does not discharge student loans, most tax debt, child support, alimony, or recent debts incurred fraudulently. Wood & Associates reviews your full debt picture to explain exactly what filing would and wouldn't resolve for you.
Will filing Chapter 7 ruin my credit permanently?
A Chapter 7 filing typically stays on your credit report for up to ten years, but many clients see their credit score begin recovering within a year or two as they rebuild without the weight of unpayable debt. For many, a fresh start outweighs the temporary credit impact of staying in an unmanageable situation.
How much does it cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan?
Costs vary based on case complexity, but Wood & Associates provides clear, upfront pricing during your consultation, separate from the mandatory federal filing fee. A no-credit-check Pay Later financing option is also available, so needing debt relief doesn't require taking on more debt just to get started.
How long does the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process take?
A straightforward Chapter 7 case in Michigan often takes about four to six months from filing to discharge, including the mandatory 341 meeting of creditors. More complex cases can take longer. Wood & Associates gives you a realistic timeline specific to your situation at the start of the process.
Does Wood & Associates handle Chapter 13 bankruptcy too?
Wood & Associates focuses on Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which discharges qualifying unsecured debt outright rather than requiring a multi-year repayment plan like Chapter 13. During your consultation, the firm will tell you plainly whether Chapter 7 fits your situation or whether a different kind of debt relief would serve you better.
Serving Battle Creek, Lansing & All of Michigan
Chapter 7 cases are filed in federal bankruptcy court based on where you live, and both of the firm's offices sit in counties served by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan —
Calhoun
County (Battle Creek) through the Kalamazoo Division, and
Ingham
County (Lansing) through the Lansing Division. Stop by either office, or start with a call — whatever feels most comfortable for you.
2943 W Dickman Road, Battle Creek, MI (269) 841-5426 Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · Calhoun County and extending into Kalamazoo, Hillsdale, and Barry counties.
901 N. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI (517) 481-4023 · Toll-free (888) 209-7348 Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · Serving Ingham County and extending into Clinton, Eaton, Shiawassee, and Jackson counties.
Talk with a local attorney team today
A fresh start is closer than it feels right now.
However you're most comfortable reaching out — a call, a chat, a text, or a quick form — we're ready to help, no matter where in Michigan you're starting from. Walk-ins welcome during business hours; consultations by appointment.