Lapeer, MI Bankruptcy Law Firms & Lawyers

You can reopen to avoid a judicial lien, and you probably should, but lien avoidance doesn't take place by adversary action. Hire an attorney that has experience in removing your judicial lien unless you want to spend a year or more learning the process the hard way.

Yes. There is no requirement that spouses file jointly, although they are permitted to do so. However, keep in mind that even if your fiance files by herself, once you are married, your income will be included in the calculation to determine if she qualifies for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This is known as the Means Test. It may be advantageous for your fiance to file for bankruptcy before getting married. She should speak to a bankruptcy attorney in order to understand what her options are.

A public utility is allowed to collect a security deposit from you to restore service, and the amount of that security deposit could be as much as your discharged debt. Since public utilities are highly regulated, you could contact the customer service division of the utility to discuss the amount of the security deposit or try contacting the public utility commission regulating the utility for help. But do not take the attitude that they are wrong and you are the victim here because it is very unlikely that this is the case. A good discharge violation case is a case many bankruptcy litigators will fight over to accept, requiring little or no money down from the client because the court will award damages including legal fees to you and your attorney.