- 1). Read through Part I of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy (see Resources). Determine which type of bankruptcy best fits your particular situation and what appropriate schedules and forms are needed. Information you'll need includes but is not limited to lists of creditors, current balances and Social Security numbers.
- 2). Visit the websites for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan or the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan, depending on where you live, to download the appropriate documents for filing for bankruptcy (see Resources).
- 3). Contact the appropriate court by phone for filing hours or check court hours on the website. Both courts are federal courts handling all bankruptcy cases in the state. No appointment is necessary for filing bankruptcy papers during regular business hours. The court clerk will let you know if you've missed any important documentation when you visit the court for filing.
- 4). Familiarize yourself with the remaining parts of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy for information about various time lines that go into effect after your initial filing. For instance, in both voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy in Michigan, the petitioner has 14 days to complete and submit all forms and schedules. Additional time lines go into effect in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 or 13 bankruptcy filings. In these cases, the time lines depend on the date of the initial creditor meeting or the date of the last payments made to meet the requirements of a discharge.
- 5). Check the Eastern District court's website for free or reduced-cost legal aid clinics in your area. For those in West Michigan, visit Legal Aid of West Michigan for help in filing for bankruptcy for a reduced fee, depending on your particular situation. (See Resources.)
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