Welcome to The Law Office of Doug Dern, where we provide quick bankruptcy services to help you get a fresh financial start. Doug Dern is an experienced attorney and here to guide you through every step of the process and provide personalized solutions for your unique situation. Consultations are FREE
Located in Hartland MI. 23 + years experience as a bankruptcy attorney. thousands of cases. Serving Livingston, Oakland, Genesee, Washtenaw, Jackson County in Southeast Michigan. Individual attention to your case. I take pride in offering personal service — you’ll work directly with me, not a call center. I serve clients in Hartland, Howell, Brighton, Fenton, and surrounding areas.
Stop a foreclosure
Keep your house
reorganize your debts
get bankruptcy protection
Stop garnishment
pay back taxes
Sep 17th, 2023
Doug Dern is the best attorney. He is knowledgeable about family law. I highly recommend him. Very good and affordable. 
Aug 4th, 2023
Doug Dern helped guide me through a difficult time. He made the process go smooth by educating me and answering all my questions. My expectations were met and very happy that I met the right person to help me.
Jun 26th, 2023
I have used Doug Dern in several matters over the past 15 years. He tells the truth, he does what he says and he knows the law. I definitely recommend Doug. Fair fees, he communicates well and down to earth good person.
Jul 6th, 2020
Excellent lawyer, attentive to your needs and spot on with his knowledge and expertise.
There are a lot of myths out there about Chapter 13. It can get scary if you don't have a good lawyer that is well versed in chapter 13 law. Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy. You have a broad range of options in a chapter 13. Often there is a possible foreclosure, and you need it stopped. You can stop a foreclosure and keep your house in a chapter 13. Other reasons people file a chapter 13 is they can't quality for a chapter 7.but a chapter 13 is an option. Call my office and I will give you a free phone consultation.
You probably hear that word a lot. Debt relief. It is pretty evident. Bankruptcy is a legal way to relieve your debt. Bankruptcy is a federal legal process that legally wipes out all of your debts. There are exceptions, things like child support or criminal sanctions. Debt relief can be a valuable option. If you have filed a chapter 7 before you cannot file another chapter 7 until 8 years. You can file a chapter 13 4 years after a chapter 7. The process is not that difficult. A good lawyer can walk you through and do almost everything for you.
If you file for bankruptcy you will go under bankruptcy protection. That means creditors can't call you or write you or contact you If a creditor contacts you after filing for bankruptcy you can motion them for sanctions in federal bankruptcy court. YOU are under federal bankruptcy protection on filing. That means wage garnishment stops. If you are facing foreclosure or repossession of your car that stops on filing.
I can tell you that with 23 + years of experience you would think I would be a high-priced attorney at the top end. And I could be. But I understand people are bankruptcy, so I keep it reasonable. There is a $338 filing fee fora Chapter 7 and a $313 filing fee for a chapter 13. My attorney fees stay competitive, and I try to be reasonable. I truly believe I am the best value bankruptcy attorney in the market. I am quick, I give personal attention, I know the system, I know the law, I have had thousands of cases, and I enjoy helping people. So if you want help from someone that has been around the block. A seasoned veteran as they say call me or text me 248-882-0838
1. Can I keep my car? Yes. Unless you don't want it. You have the option of surrendering it. If you keep it you can reaffirm the debt.
2. Can I keep my tax refund? Yes, as long as it is under the allowable wild card amount. In a Chapter 13 you may have to give up your tax refund.
3. How do I know if I should do a chapter 7 or chapter 13? Chapter 7 is most common. That is the one where you do have to pay it back. Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy those are mor complicated but usually involve real estate or a high-income debtor.
4. What is the means test? That is an analyst used to determine if your income is too high to file and chapter 7. Basically, it is looking for any deposable income you might have. The best thing to do is call my office and let me run the numbers.