FAQ: Am I in the Eastern or Western District of MI?

In Michigan, your county of residence for the greater part of the last 180 days determines whether you file a bankruptcy in the Eastern or Western District.

The Western District is composed of a Northern Division and a Southern Division.  The Southern Division comprises the counties of Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Clinton, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Saint Joseph, Van Buren, and Wexford.

The Northern Division comprises the counties of Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft.

Meetings of Creditors for the Western District are held in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Traverse City, and Marquette.  U.P. residents are serviced in Marquette, with the rest as follows:

Kalamazoo: Allegan Berrien Branch St. Joseph Van Buren Hillsdale Cass Calhoun Kalamazoo 

Lansing: Clinton Eaton Ingham

Traverse City: Antrim Benzie Charlevoix Emmet Lake Kalkaska Leelanau Grand Traverse Manistee Mason Missaukee Osceola Wexford

The Eastern District comprises the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montmorency, Oakland, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

Meetings of Creditors for the Eastern District are held in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, and Bay City.  The northern counties on the east side of the state much make the long trek to Bay City for their creditor meeting.  I'm often asked if that can be changed.  Unfortunately, it cannot; you have to make the drive.