
When your wages are being garnished, every day hurts.
You’re watching money disappear before you even get your check.
You’re stressed. You’re angry. You’re scared.
You don’t have to live like this.
The moment I file your bankruptcy case, the garnishment stops.
Not tomorrow.
Not next week.
Immediately.
This is called the Automatic Stay, and it is federal law.
Creditors must stop:
• wage garnishment
• bank account garnishment
• tax refund garnishment
• lawsuits
• judgments
• collection calls
If they don’t stop, we can sanction them
Same day in most cases.
If you call me early enough in the day, I can often file your case that same day and stop the garnishment before your next paycheck is processed.
If your employer already processed payroll, the next check may still be hit — but the one after that will be protected.
A creditor can garnish your wages in Michigan if:
• they sued you
• they got a judgment
• they filed a writ of garnishment
• your employer received the order
This can happen for:
• credit cards
• medical bills
• repossession balances
• personal loans
• payday loans
• old utility bills
• deficiency balances
• old landlord judgments
Bankruptcy stops ALL of these
Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 stop garnishment immediately — but they work differently.
Chapter 7 is the fastest way to stop garnishment.
✔ Stops garnishment immediately
✔ Wipes out the debt permanently
✔ You keep your house and car in most cases
✔ You get a fresh start
If the creditor took money within 90 days before filing, you may even get some of it back.
Chapter 13 is best when:
• you’re behind on your house
• you’re behind on your car
• you have too much income for Chapter 7
• you want to protect assets
• you want to stop foreclosure AND garnishment
Chapter 13:
✔ Stops garnishment immediately
✔ Lets you repay debt on your terms
✔ Can reduce what you owe
✔ Can strip a second mortgage
✔ Can stop repossession
If you’re behind on payments, Chapter 13 may be the better option.
In Michigan, creditors can take:
Up to 25% of your after‑tax wages.
That’s brutal.
That’s why people call me.
If you’re being garnished, you’re not alone — and you’re not stuck.
Good — that means we can stop it before your paycheck is hit.
Call me as soon as you get:
• a writ of garnishment
• a judgment
• a court notice
• a letter from your employer
The earlier you call, the easier it is to stop.
A creditor can freeze your bank account with a garnishment order.
Bankruptcy:
✔ Unfreezes the account
✔ Stops future freezes
✔ Wipes out the debt
If your account is frozen right now, call me immediately.
If the garnishment happened within 90 days before filing, and the creditor took more than $600, we may be able to recover some of it.
Not always — but often.
• ✔ I file fast
• ✔ I answer my own phone
• ✔ I’m tough on creditors
• ✔ I’ve stopped thousands of garnishments
• ✔ I know the courts and trustees
• ✔ I explain everything in plain English
• ✔ I treat clients like friends
You will NOT get a call center.
You will NOT get a junior associate.
You get me.
I stop garnishments for clients in:
Livingston County: Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Fowlerville
Oakland County: Waterford, White Lake, Milford, Novi, South Lyon
Genesee County: Flint, Grand Blanc, Fenton
Washtenaw County: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline
If you live in these areas, I can stop your garnishment fast.
How fast can you stop a garnishment?
Same day in most cases.
Will bankruptcy stop a judgment?
Yes — immediately.
Will bankruptcy stop a bank account freeze?
Yes — the automatic stay unfreezes it.
Can I get back money already taken?
Sometimes — if it was taken within 90 days.
Do I have to go to court?
Usually only once, and it’s simple.
Will I lose my house or car?
Almost never. Michigan exemptions are generous.
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If you have any questions, please contact:
Law Office of Doug Dern
1050 S. Milford Rd. #204, Highland MI 48357
Phone: (248) 882-0838
We are a debt relief agency we help people file bankruptcy under the code.