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Jeremy Shephard
January 10, 2025

Michigan Court Upholds Validity of Lady Bird Deeds in Estate Dispute

A recent decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals has reaffirmed the validity of Lady Bird deeds as a legitimate estate-planning tool, dismissing allegations of fraudulent transfer under...

Jeremy Shephard
July 2, 2024

Supreme Court Decision: Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P.

On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision in the case of Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., fundamentally shaping the landscape of bankruptcy law. In...

Jeremy Shephard
May 27, 2024

Red Lobster Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In a surprising turn of events, Red Lobster, the popular casual dining seafood chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This news has left many all-you-can-eat shrimp fans...

Jeremy Shephard
May 20, 2024

Understanding the Impact of a Fiancé’s Bankruptcy

Entering into marriage is a significant milestone, often filled with excitement and hope for the future. However, financial considerations, such as a fiancé's previous bankruptcy, can introduce complexities...

Jeremy Shephard
May 15, 2024

Common Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Questions

Expert Bankruptcy Attorney in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Big Rapids, and Lansing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Fresh Start for Residents of West Michigan What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Chapter...

Jeremy Shephard
May 15, 2024

Protecting Assets in Michigan

What can I keep in my Michigan Bankruptcy Case: Protecting Assets with Exemptions Bankruptcy can be a daunting prospect for individuals facing overwhelming debt. However, for many, it...

Jeremy Shephard
June 27, 2023

Bankruptcy and Native American Sovereignty

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians V. Coughlin A Native American tribe, through one of their businesses, provided a payday loan to Brian Coughlin. Coughlin...

Jeremy Shephard
May 29, 2023

Chapter 13 Plan Payments in the WDMI

Plan payments are essential to a successful Chapter 13 case. Not only does the Chapter 13 plan payment pay something to your unsecured creditors (credit cards, personal loans,...

Jeremy Shephard
August 9, 2022

34th Annual Bankruptcy Section Seminar

The Bankruptcy Steering Committee for the Bankruptcy Section of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association hosted their 2022 FBA Bankruptcy Seminar at the Mission Point...

Jeremy Shephard
March 10, 2022

Personal Bankruptcy: Overview

Bankruptcy can assist a person in eliminating personal liability on debts. This means that a creditor cannot attempt to collect on debts that are included and discharged in...

Jeremy Shephard
February 28, 2022

Recap of Projected Disposable Income in Chapter 13 Cases – 6th Circuit

Attorney Johnson-Ellis recently submitted an article to the Western District of Michigan Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Steering Committee Winter 2022 issue of the Michigan Bankruptcy Journal. Attorney Johnson-Ellis...

Jeremy Shephard
May 6, 2021

What is going on with real estate?

Real estate prices are changing rapidly in the current marketplace. Values continue to rise which is great for homeowners looking to sell and townships looking at increasing property...

Jeremy Shephard
December 16, 2020

Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2020

Congressional Democrats proposed legislation that would drastically change consumer bankruptcy law on December 9, 2020. It is unlikely this proposal will see any action in 2020 and its...

Jeremy Shephard
October 9, 2020

Covid-19 Mortgage Forbearance Pitfalls

The COVID-19 outbreak has upended many Michigan residents’ lives. Many people in Michigan have been laid off, permanently lost employment, or have had reduced hours. This loss of...

Jeremy Shephard
August 28, 2020

Davis Clears up Seafort Footnote

Attorney Jeremy Shephard submitted an article to the Summer 2020 issue of the Michigan Bankruptcy Journal. This is quarterly journal produced by the Western District of Michigan Federal...

Jeremy Shephard
June 30, 2020

Bankruptcy might be the best choice

Bankruptcy is typically an option of last resort for debtors in Michigan who can't afford to continue making payments to creditors. While it may harm a person's credit...

Jeremy Shephard
June 16, 2020

The FDCPA was passed to rein in debt collectors

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act established strict rules that collection companies in Michigan and around the country must follow. The FDCPA was passed in 1977 to put...

Jeremy Shephard
June 4, 2020

Individuals are increasingly relying on credit cards

A May report from CreditCards.com revealed that roughly 120 million Americans have credit card debt. That figure represents about 47% of adults in the United States, and the...

Jeremy Shephard
May 20, 2020

What to consider before filing for bankruptcy

In 2018, the average person in Michigan spent $11,172 on health care expenses. By 2028, health care spending in the United States is expected to rise to $6.2...

Jeremy Shephard
May 7, 2020

Millennial debt load and bankruptcy

In Michigan and across the US, millennials, a term that refers to individuals who were born between 1981 and 1996, are struggling with debt. This age group earns...

Jeremy Shephard
April 22, 2020

The potential penalties for not paying credit card debt

Debt collectors might suggest that individuals who owe credit card debt could be sent to jail. However, Michigan residents who are struggling to pay current or past due...

Jeremy Shephard
April 9, 2020

One case discharges student loans in bankruptcy

One of the long-held rules in a Michigan bankruptcy was that debtors could not escape their student loan debt, even after filing for bankruptcy. Now, a recent court...

Jeremy Shephard
March 30, 2020

The potential downfalls of a debt settlement

You may feel as if debt settlement is a preferable alternative to bankruptcy. However, Michigan companies that provide debt settlement services may not necessarily be able to convince...

Jeremy Shephard
March 25, 2020

Bankruptcy may not be an impediment to employment

Many people in Michigan and throughout the United States believe that the impact of a bankruptcy is disqualifying for future employment. People have been told that employers view...

Jeremy Shephard
March 16, 2020

EightWest

Covid-19 has disrupted our lives and it will likely disrupt some people’s financial lives. We know that not everyone will be able to travel to meet with an...

Jeremy Shephard
March 13, 2020

How the law shields debtors from collectors of credit card debt

It is unfortunate that so many people in Michigan and across the United States are experiencing financial difficulties. There are, however, solutions to this problem and protections accorded...

Jeremy Shephard
February 28, 2020

Understanding bankruptcy law and credit card debt

People in Michigan can find themselves facing overwhelming debt for many reasons. Common causes include job loss, medical expenses and personal problems. However, one of the most prevalent...

Jeremy Shephard
February 28, 2020

Alternatives to using a credit card to pay medical debt

People in Michigan who have medical bills to pay might wonder whether to put them on a credit card. There are several other options the person should try...

Jeremy Shephard
February 9, 2020

Board games and bankruptcy

Don’t let board games fool you. Bankruptcy doesn’t leave you broke. Bankruptcy does the opposite. Filing for bankruptcy helps you eliminate debt through the bankruptcy discharge. A bankruptcy...

Jeremy Shephard
January 30, 2020

What Debtors Must Do in a Chapter 13 Proceeding

Michigan residents and others who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection may be able to consolidate or reorganize debts without losing property. However, they still have many obligations...

Jeremy Shephard
January 15, 2020

Debtor obligations to achieve bankruptcy discharge of debts

Excessive medical bills, job loss and other situations sometimes send debtors in Michigan to bankruptcy court. Bankruptcy laws generally provide a path out of financial hardship, but people...

Jeremy Shephard
January 3, 2020

Determining the amount of a Chapter 13 plan payment

Individuals in Michigan who are interested in reorganizing their debts may want to do so by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 allows a filer to make...

Jeremy Shephard
December 5, 2019

Credit card debt does not lead to prison

Michigan debtors will be relieved to know that they cannot go to jail for credit card debt. The notion of debtors' prisons has been thrown out of the...

Jeremy Shephard
March 15, 2019

Budgeting

Sometimes even the best budgeting won’t help you get out of debt. Bankruptcy may offer a needed way out from under crushing debt. Our office offers a free...

Jeremy Shephard
February 22, 2019

Administration of Tenancies by the Entirety Properties in Bankruptcy: Trickett is Dead

Attorney Rebecca Johnson-Ellis is on the Bankruptcy Steering Committee for the Bankruptcy Section of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This organization organizes many educational...

Jeremy Shephard
January 9, 2019

What happens to my debts when I die?

People are often concerned about burdening their family with their debts when they pass on. Many people in Michigan fail to realize that those debts won’t become the...

Jeremy Shephard
June 4, 2018

Asset Transfers and bankruptcy

It is not uncommon for individuals experiencing financial difficulties to get concerned about assets they own. A creditor, once they have sued you and obtained a judgment, can...

Jeremy Shephard
February 13, 2018

Eight West Appearance

Attorneys Rebecca Johnson-Ellis and Jeremy Shephard went to Eight West to discuss bankruptcy. At the law offices of Andersen, Ellis & Shephard, we have represented thousands of individuals...

Jeremy Shephard
February 8, 2018

When is the right time to file a bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy is a big decision that many of our clients wait too long to make. If you are struggling with debt, you should sit down and...

Jeremy Shephard
September 13, 2017

Chapter 7 and Mortgage Reaffirmation Agreements

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection allows a debtor to eliminate their debt (some debts are non-dischargeable) to creditors. As part of the Chapter 7 process, the debtor...

Jeremy Shephard
September 7, 2017

Co-Signers

The question of co-signers comes up regularly from individuals I meet with. It is not uncommon to hear, “I’m not primary on a debt” or “I’m secondary”. Unfortunately,...

Jeremy Shephard
May 18, 2017

Public loan Income Based Repayment Plan

Student loans remain one of the few debts that are extremely difficult to get rid of in bankruptcy. Now it’s possible the government may be changing the parameters...

Jeremy Shephard
May 15, 2017

Student loans and bankruptcy

Student loans are notoriously difficult to eliminate in bankruptcy under the current standards. While there are options for federal student loans, many private student loan lenders offer few...

Jeremy Shephard
April 19, 2017

Other Options – Mortgage Foreclosure

People facing foreclosure oftentimes reach out to our office too late in the process to avoid needing to file bankruptcy. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t other options...

Jeremy Shephard
March 7, 2017

WZZM Appearance: Bankruptcy Discussed

Attorneys Jeremy Shephard and Rebecca Johnson-Ellis recently went to WZZM to discuss options under the Bankruptcy Code. Click on video below to watch: At the law offices of...

Jeremy Shephard
February 13, 2017

Bankruptcy and Tax Time

Attorneys Rebecca Johnson-Ellis and Jeremy Shephard sat down with EightWest to discuss tax time and options under the Bankruptcy Code. Check out the link below to learn more:...

Jeremy Shephard
February 6, 2017

Why is bankruptcy taboo?

I have a belief that creditors perpetuate the stigma that bankruptcy makes you a bad person because of their own self-interests. Does it make you a bad person...

Jeremy Shephard
January 30, 2017

Should I use my 401K to pay down my debts?

One of the biggest mistakes I see from debtors that meet with me is that they have liquidated their retirement accounts to pay down their debts. For those...

Jeremy Shephard
January 23, 2017

Tax Refunds

I’ve filed hundreds of bankruptcies and I encounter a common issue in my practice; especially, this time of the year. Debtors (what they call people who owe money)...

Jeremy Shephard
October 27, 2016

Why you shouldn’t pay back mom if you are considering filing bankruptcy.

Filing for a bankruptcy is a difficult decision to come to but if you are considering filing then there are some things to consider. When money is tight,...

Jeremy Shephard
September 12, 2016

Do I get to keep my stuff?

Potential clients come into my office to determine if bankruptcy is the right step for them. A common question that I’m asked is whether or not they will...

Jeremy Shephard
July 28, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 6

What is a bankruptcy trustee? A bankruptcy trustee is an individual assigned to your bankruptcy to determine if there is anything to be administered on behalf of the...

Jeremy Shephard
July 5, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 5

When can I file bankruptcy again? Unfortunately, people sometimes get in a situation where they need to file bankruptcy more than once. If you filed a Chapter 7...

Jeremy Shephard
June 15, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 4

What to do after your bankruptcy discharge? You filed bankruptcy and your debts were discharged. Hopefully, your case closed shortly thereafter. You may ask yourself, what should I...

Jeremy Shephard
June 2, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 3

What is bankruptcy protection? You might find yourself searching the internet for solutions to your mounting debt. The words “bankruptcy protection” may continue to pop up from time...

Jeremy Shephard
May 4, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 2

What Is A Bankruptcy Discharge? A bankruptcy discharge is one of the primary reasons that an individual files for bankruptcy protection. A bankruptcy discharge is a Court order...

Jeremy Shephard
March 31, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 1

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report? This is a common question that we are asked by our prospective clients. If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy...

Jeremy Shephard
March 16, 2016

Common Bankruptcy Questions: Answered by the Pros 7

How to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your own? You are allowed to represent yourself in legal proceedings and bankruptcy is a legal proceeding. Filing Chapter 7...

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