Washtenaw County Bankruptcy Records

Washtenaw County bankruptcy records are filed through the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court, Detroit Division. Residents of Ann Arbor and the rest of Washtenaw County file their bankruptcy petitions at 211 West Fort Street in Detroit, about 45 miles to the east. All cases are searchable online through PACER, by calling the free VCIS phone line, or by visiting the Detroit courthouse in person. This guide explains how to find Washtenaw County bankruptcy cases, what those records include, the costs for access, and what local resources are available.

Eastern District of Michigan - Detroit Division

Washtenaw County falls under the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court, Detroit Division. All bankruptcy cases for county residents are filed at 211 West Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226. Ann Arbor is roughly 45 miles from the Detroit courthouse via I-94. The Detroit Division handles a large volume of cases from Washtenaw County, including both consumer filings from individuals and business reorganization cases tied to the research, technology, and healthcare sectors that are prominent in the Ann Arbor area.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The phone is (313) 234-0065. You can also contact the CM/ECF helpdesk at cmecfhelpdesk@mieb.uscourts.gov for questions about electronic access. The main Eastern District website at mieb.uscourts.gov has all court forms, local rules, and fee schedules. The court locations page is at mieb.uscourts.gov/court-locations.

The Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6700, handles state and local court records. This is a separate system from the federal bankruptcy court. You cannot search or access bankruptcy records through the Washtenaw County Clerk. Federal bankruptcy cases are accessed exclusively through PACER or at the Detroit courthouse.

How to Search Washtenaw County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main tool for searching Washtenaw County bankruptcy records and all other Eastern District of Michigan cases. Register for free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Once logged in, select the Eastern District of Michigan. Search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER returns a list of matching cases, each with a full docket showing every filed document. Each page costs $0.10, with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly accounts under $30 are not billed. PACER is available around the clock, which is convenient for Washtenaw County residents who want access without driving to Detroit. Eastern District PACER details are at mieb.uscourts.gov/pacer.

The free VCIS phone line at 866-222-8029 runs 24 hours a day and requires no account. Enter a name or Social Security number and the automated system provides basic case information including filing date, chapter, and case status. You get no documents through VCIS, but it is a fast check before logging into PACER for a full record review.

To search in person, visit the Detroit courthouse. Free public terminals are available during clerk's office hours. Printing at the terminal is $0.10 per page. Staff copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Mail requests for copies can be sent to the Detroit Division at 211 West Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226. Full instructions are at mieb.uscourts.gov/obtaining-copies-documents.

For cases filed before 2003, some files may have been archived at the Federal Records Center rather than kept in PACER. Contact the Detroit clerk's office for guidance on requesting those older records.

What Washtenaw County Bankruptcy Records Contain

Washtenaw County bankruptcy filings generate detailed public case records. The petition is filed first and names the debtor, lists their address, and identifies the chapter type. Required schedules list all real property and personal property with estimated values, all creditors with debt amounts, and monthly income and expenses. The statement of financial affairs covers recent income history and financial transfers. These opening documents are the foundation of every case file.

Chapter 7 cases include a means test form verifying income eligibility for a liquidation discharge. The trustee reviews the case, determines whether any non-exempt assets exist, and files a report. If assets are sold, distribution records are added to the file. Chapter 13 cases are more involved. They include a proposed repayment plan, all modifications to that plan, proofs of claim from creditors, the plan confirmation order, and records of payments made over the three to five year plan term. Any contested matters or motions filed during the case add to the docket as well.

Business bankruptcy cases from Washtenaw County, including Chapter 11 reorganizations, generate even larger dockets. Monthly operating reports, creditor committee filings, plan of reorganization documents, and confirmation hearings can add hundreds of entries over the life of a case. All of it is accessible through PACER. At case close, the discharge order or final decree is the last document added to the record.

Filing Fees and Record Access Costs

Bankruptcy filing fees are the same throughout the Eastern District of Michigan. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. These fees go to the bankruptcy court. Fee waivers are available for filers with income below 150% of the federal poverty guideline. You apply at the time you file your petition. Installment payment plans are also available with court approval.

The Eastern District's standard No-Look Fee for Chapter 13 attorney compensation is $3,500. This is the flat rate that courts treat as reasonable without requiring itemized billing review. Attorneys with more complex cases can request higher fees subject to judge approval.

For accessing records: PACER charges $0.10 per page, max $3.00 per document, free for accounts under $30 per quarter. Terminal viewing at the courthouse is free. Terminal printing is $0.10 per page. Staff copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Certified copies are needed when using a bankruptcy record for official purposes such as loan applications, legal proceedings, or verifying a discharged debt. Full copy details are at mieb.uscourts.gov/obtaining-copies-documents.

Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions

Michigan lets bankruptcy filers protect certain property from creditors. The homestead exemption under MCL 600.5451 protects up to $46,125 in home equity, or $69,200 for filers who are 65 or older or disabled. Washtenaw County includes the Ann Arbor housing market, which is one of the more competitive in Michigan. Home values in Ann Arbor and nearby cities can run well above the state average. Filers with higher equity may find that Chapter 13 is a better fit than Chapter 7 if they want to keep their home while catching up on debts.

MCL 600.6023 provides additional personal property protections: clothing, household goods, one vehicle up to a set cap, tools of a trade, life insurance proceeds, and most retirement accounts. The federal exemption set under 11 U.S.C. § 522 is also available. Washtenaw County filers must choose one system and apply it to all their property. You cannot pick items from both the state and federal sets in the same case. A bankruptcy attorney in the Ann Arbor area can compare both options for your specific assets and help you decide which set of exemptions protects more of what you own.

Exemption dollar amounts can change. Check the current Michigan statutes or speak with an attorney before filing to make sure you are working with current figures.

Local Resources for Washtenaw County Filers

The Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6700, handles local and state court records. This office manages civil, family, and criminal court records at the county level. For federal bankruptcy matters, the Detroit Division is the right contact. The county clerk can help point you in the right direction if you are not sure which system applies to your situation.

Ann Arbor has a strong legal community with many bankruptcy attorneys who regularly handle cases at the Detroit Division. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides and tools for people considering bankruptcy. The State Bar of Michigan referral service connects you with a licensed bankruptcy attorney, often at a low initial fee. The University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College area legal aid clinics may also provide guidance for lower-income residents. Public computers for PACER searches are available at the Ann Arbor District Library and other Washtenaw County library locations.

Detroit Division Court Location

The Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court lists the Detroit Division address and contact information for Washtenaw County filers at mieb.uscourts.gov/court-locations.

Washtenaw County bankruptcy cases are filed and maintained at the Detroit Division. PACER provides complete online access to all records from any device with an internet connection.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the county seat and the city in Washtenaw County large enough to have its own bankruptcy records page on this site.

Other Washtenaw County communities including Ypsilanti, Saline, and Dexter also file bankruptcy cases at the Detroit Division. Those cities do not have individual pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washtenaw County and also file through the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court.