No. Chapter 7 can discharge many unsecured debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. Still, certain obligations typically survive, including most student loans, recent tax debts, child support, and alimony. An attorney can review your specific debts to tell you what a discharge would and would not cover in your case.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys Helping Clients in Macomb County
Most people have at least some debt, but sometimes things happen. A layoff, medical emergency, divorce, or other situation may seemingly arise out of nowhere, transforming what was previously a manageable debt position into an endless stream of past-due notices and collection calls. But there’s good news: Chapter 7 bankruptcy provides a legal way to wipe the slate clean by eliminating debt that qualifies.
Chapter 7 is the most commonly filed type of consumer bankruptcy in the United States, and there are good reasons for that. It typically moves fairly quickly, and it can discharge many of the debts that cause the most stress. However, Chapter 7 is not the right fit for every situation, and the legal requirements can be tricky to navigate. Working with an attorney who understands the details can help you avoid missteps that might cost you time, money, or property you were hoping to keep.
Guiding Macomb County Families Through Debt Relief
Lucido & Manzella, P.C. has represented clients across Macomb County and the surrounding area for over 25 years. Our attorneys have guided thousands of people through the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process, and we bring that same depth of experience to every case we handle.
Our services span multiple areas of law, including personal injury and family law, which many clients find helpful because people rarely run into financial trouble without other problems first. Because we cover so many areas of law, we review every situation in full instead of treating debt as a single issue.
Our attorneys will explain your options in plain terms and advocate firmly on your behalf, either negotiating with creditors or representing you in court.
Who We Serve
People come to us at different points in their financial struggles, but certain situations come up again and again. We regularly help clients who:
- Carry mostly unsecured debt. Most of what they owe is in the form of credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, utility balances, or accounts in collections, with little tying that debt to specific property.
- Want to know what Chapter 7 can eliminate. They need a clear answer on which debts may be erased under Chapter 7 and which will continue to follow them long after their case closes.
- Are unsure whether they qualify. A long list of factors can affect eligibility, including income, household size, monthly expenses, and any prior bankruptcy filings. These clients need to know where they stand before moving forward.
- Worry about losing property. They want straight answers about what could happen to their car, home equity, savings, personal belongings, or other assets during the case.
- Need relief from active collection pressure. A lawsuit, wage garnishment, or aggressive collection activity is underway, and they need to know whether filing can hit the pause button. Although the majority of collection activity is automatically halted when a case is filed, exceptions and limits may apply to the case, depending on the situation.
If you’re facing any of these circumstances, you already know why Chapter 7 bankruptcy is so appealing.
Understanding Chapter 7 and How the Process Works
Deciding Whether Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Is Right for You
Before filing anything, you and your attorney need to work through a few questions. Is bankruptcy the right move given the type of debt you carry? Do you have any ability to pay it down another way? If bankruptcy makes sense, which chapter is the best option for you?
Chapter 7 tends to be faster and simpler than Chapter 13 for most filers, but your attorney still needs to confirm:
- Whether you pass the means test required to qualify for Chapter 7.
- Whether Chapter 7 will actually eliminate the specific debts causing you the most trouble.
- Whether you risk losing more property than you are comfortable parting with.
These questions require an experienced bankruptcy attorney who has handled cases just like yours before.
The Chapter 7 Process, Step by Step
Every case has its own wrinkles, but most Chapter 7 filings follow the same general sequence:
- Means test evaluation. You must show that your household income falls below the median income for your state and household size or otherwise qualify under the means test rules.
- Debt inventory. You and your attorney compile a list of every debt that needs to appear on your bankruptcy petition.
- Asset assessment. Your attorney reviews your property and applies available exemptions to protect as much of it as possible from liquidation.
- Filing the petition. Your attorney files your petition and supporting schedules with the appropriate U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
- Trustee assignment and Meeting of Creditors. The court assigns a trustee to your case. This person reviews your paperwork and confirms your information at a single in-person meeting. Any non-exempt property can be liquidated at this stage, although most Chapter 7 filers have little or no non-exempt property.
- Discharge. The court issues an order discharging your qualifying debts, releasing you from any further obligation to pay them.
What Chapter 7 Can Discharge
A successful Chapter 7 case can wipe out many of the debts that put you in this position in the first place, including:
- Credit cards
- Medical bills
- Personal loans
- Most legal judgments
- Some tax debts
- Sole proprietor debts
- Loans from family or friends
- Unpaid rent and utilities
Not every debt qualifies, and certain obligations, like most student loans, child support, and some tax debts, typically follow through after a Chapter 7 case. A thorough review of your specific debts will tell you what actually to expect from a discharge.
Why Choose Lucido & Manzella?
- Over 25 years of experience. We have represented thousands of clients through bankruptcy filings across Macomb County and the surrounding communities.
- A view of the bigger picture. Financial hardship often connects to divorce, criminal charges, or other legal disputes. Because we handle multiple practice areas, we can address how these issues intersect instead of treating your debt in isolation.
- An aggressive approach to protecting your interests. We advocate firmly on your behalf, whether that means dealing directly with creditors or standing up for you in court.
- Comfort with complicated cases. Not every filing is simple. We take on complex financial situations that other firms might turn away.
You do not have to keep suffering sleepless nights over bills you cannot pay. Our Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys at Lucido & Manzella, P.C. can review your situation, explain your options honestly, and help you decide whether Chapter 7 offers the fresh start you need. Schedule a consultation today to find out if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for Chapter 7?
Qualification generally depends on the means test, which compares your household income to the median income for a household of your size in Michigan. Factors like recent income changes, household expenses, and any prior bankruptcy filings can also affect eligibility. If you do not pass the means test, Chapter 13 may still offer a path forward.
Will I lose my car, my home, or my savings?
Not necessarily. Michigan and federal exemptions protect a certain amount of equity in property like your home, vehicle, and retirement accounts. Most Chapter 7 filers have little to no non-exempt property, meaning they keep the bulk of their belongings. An attorney can walk through your specific assets and tell you what exemptions may apply.
Can Chapter 7 stop a lawsuit or wage garnishment?
Filing for Chapter 7 generally triggers an automatic stay, which halts most collection calls, lawsuits, and wage garnishments as soon as your case is filed. Certain actions, such as some criminal proceedings or specific types of debt collection, may fall outside the scope of the stay, so it helps to confirm how it applies to your particular situation.
How long does the Chapter 7 process take?
Most Chapter 7 cases move from filing to discharge in three to six months. The exact timeline can shift based on the complexity of your finances and the court’s schedule, but Chapter 7 generally moves faster than Chapter 13, which involves a multi-year repayment plan.
Talk To An Experienced & Aggressive Lawyer Today.
We offer a free initial consultation so you will get an opportunity to meet us, and we will have an opportunity to learn more about your legal issue.
Free Consultation with an Experienced & Aggressive Macomb County Lawyer
Our consultations offer an opportunity for you to meet our team and discuss your legal issues.
Hear From Our Clients
I had a great experience with Lucido Law. From start to finish, the service was professional, helpful, and handled with care. They took the time to explain everything clearly, answered my questions, and made the entire process much easier than I expected. I really appreciated the communication and attention to detail. It’s refreshing to work with people who genuinely care about providing good service. I would definitely recommend Vince Manzella and Lucido Law to anyone looking for professional and reliable…
We had a great experience working with Vince Manzella of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. for our estate planning. Vince was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and thorough throughout the entire process. He took the time to explain everything clearly, answer all of our questions, and make sure we fully understood our options and felt comfortable with the decisions we were making. Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but Vince made the process straightforward and easy to navigate. We truly appreciated his attention to…
This law firm and its associates have taken care of our estate and divorce for many friends and family members, along with some professional situations that we’ve come across over the years. We have always gotten perfect advice and the best service. I highly recommend Vince Manzella and his team for all of your legal needs.
Going through a divorce is never easy, but working with Vince Manzella and his paralegal, Donna, has made all the difference. Vince is a man of absolute integrity who will always give you his honest legal point of view, which I deeply appreciated. From start to finish, they have been an incredible team—professional, highly knowledgeable, and deeply supportive. My divorce process began in 2024 and has been ongoing, but Vince and Donna have remained steady, reliable guides every step of…
Adrianna and the whole Lucido and Manzella family of Lawyers are awesome. Adrianna did such a great job with my complicated case. Adrianna helped me out with everything through the long process. Thanks again Adrianna for helping me with my case . I will always use Lucido and Manzella Law in the future if I need too.
I would like to take the time today, on my baby's 1st birthday, to say that I am truly thankful for Vincenzo (Vince) Manzella with Lucido & Manzella P.C. for having achieved satisfying results in my delicate child paternity/custody case. As demanding of a client as I am, I was pleased with his performance and guidance. Thanks to all who assisted, and I wholeheartedly give my recommendation to all those seeking outstanding representation. I am forever grateful.
Vince is great to work with. I’d highly recommend him to anyone needing representation for divorce/custody.
I am so lucky I was referred to Vince. He helped me keep a PPO in place. The situation was very stressful and scary for me, but I always felt comfortable and confident with him representing me. I will definitely refer him to other in the future. I wish I would have had him for my actual divorce. He is EXCELLENT.
"Angelo took great care of my husband and I would recommend this office to anyone in need of attorney closed our case almost immediately. Great staff."
"Absolutely the best Law Firm you can retain in Macomb County! Highly recommend them, absolutely stellar reputation and reasonable fees!"
"We use Lucido & Manzella for Business and Personal. Always quick to respond and they get the job done!"
"I’ve utilized services on several occasions. Helpful in helping me understand aspects of the situation I wouldn’t have understood on my own. A far more personal experience than I’ve experienced in the past with other firms. Beyond pleased with every outcome each time. You have My highest recommendation for representation."
"The best lawyers in town hands down."
"I used Mr. Manzella for several issues with my ex over the last few years. He always knows how to handle the issues so that I get the results I deserve."
"Vince Manzella and his firm have represented me for several years with extensive family/probate court issues. Vince is aggressive, professional and on point at all times. He stands out as one of the hardest working and involved lawyers I have ever retained and I can truly say, I will never go anywhere else for legal service. I trust this firm fully as they have proven time after time that they got my back and won't ever let me or my…
"I needed to find a lawyer to help with my parents with their estate plan and I brought them in to see Mr. Manzella. They were able to put together a plan that really met our needs. They were very understanding of our situation as well. I really appreciated the time they took explaining things to us."
"Mr. Manzella was great during my divorce. He got me through the hardest time in my life and did more for me than I thought was possible. His professionalism is exceptional & is matched by his confidence. The emotional support I received was invaluable. I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer."
"Hired Manzella recently for some family issues and he did an amazing job working through things. He explained things through every step and never made unrealistic promises. This is the guy you want to see in Macomb County!"
"Vince is the greatest attorney I've ever had. He got a gun case dropped to misdemeanor!! Vince is a great listener and gets the job done. He is excellent!!! I would hire him in any case ever."
"Vince and his firm have been my family's attorney for over 10 years, They do a great job, When they say they will do something, they do it! And they get the job done. Very Trustworthy & have the highest of integrity! His entire staff is excellent! You won't go wrong with using Lucido & Manzella believe me!"
"Vince is a great lawyer who fought for me. His office and staff went the extra mile to help with my case. Thank you Lucido & Manzella!"
"Personal Injury Attorney- I called looking for an attorney to handle my injury and received feedback immediately."
"When it comes to getting a law firm that you feel comfortable with, Lucido and Manzella have my trust. They were very prompt and forthright. They listen in detail to your concerns and give knowledgeable responses to your concerns. Their firm is well respected in southeastern Michigan. You will get treated with honest answers and feel very dignified by using their team."
"Working in the legal field can be rather challenging at times. Needless to say, having a firm grasp on the law and knowing how to apply it to ones case can mean all the difference between winning your war or getting less than you deserve. Having had the pleasure of working with this firm in both a personal and professional capacity, I would have to say that this firm goes out of its way to accommodate its clients no matter…
"Very personable, got a next day appointment and they went right to work for me! Would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal services."
"I have used the firm for my divorce. Each time I met with Vince through the process he was very helpful and understanding. Having to go through something like this was not fun but I felt a lot better knowing that I had him on my side."
"I highly recommend Vince he helped my son out. He was there every step of the way, kept every promise, and was honest about the situation. He answered any questions we had and ensured us the best outcome. If you're looking for a great lawyer you don’t have to look any further. I would recommend Vince to anyone."
*Please Note: There will be a 3 percent credit card surcharge fee added to the total when paying with a credit card.
NUVEW | Accessibility Notifications | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.