Call for a free consultation today. I can help you with all types of bankruptcy & debt solutions.All bankruptcy chapters (11, 13, 12 and 7) offered. My specialty is complex debt situations.
Although I am now a full time bankruptcy attorney, in the years after law school, I practiced estate planning, trust work, and small business issues. I then worked as an in-house trust/compliance officer for four years.
One of the most difficult challenges in those early years was helping to make things work when one of the parties was weighed down in debt. Everything gets difficult and it becomes hard to even sleep, let alone carry on with life.
About twenty years ago, I then became a full time bankruptcy attorney, specializing in complex situations. Bankruptcy does not equal failure, but rather the opposite. For most of my clients, filing bankruptcy is an attempt to get the train back on the tracks.
I am now one of the main bankruptcy attorneys in Southwest Michigan and my focus to help clients with complex bankruptcy situations (whether personal, consumer, business, farm, tax, etc.) enjoy a fresh start in life.
My clients say that I put a high degree of personal energy and care into my debt workout projects- both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy alike. My practice is more of a ministry than a job. Nothing makes be feel better than hearing a client report my help enabled them to finally enjoy some rest.
Feel free to email or call to schedule your free consultation. I look forward to helping you get some better sleep.
Practice areas
Chapter 13 is a powerful way to deal with even the most frustrating forms of debt. It is most often used in save-the-home programs. Over hundreds and hundreds of cases, I have also found chapter 13 to be the most useful way to deal with tax issues, exemption issues and cases where one's income is too large to file a chapter 7. I am one of the most frequent filers of chapter 13s in Western Michigan.
26 years, 1,000 cases
Chapter 7 is the go to chapter for those people needing a fresh start. Although a large part of my practice involves saving homes, businesses and farms, I also assist normal everyday people obtain fresh starts in chapter 7 cases. There are limits in income, exemptions (items you can own) and types of debt included; if those issues are not significant then chapter 7 is most often the first and best option but we may look toward chapter 13.
26 years, 1,500 cases
Foreclosure is a difficult and frightening prospect. Fortunately we have several options for those facing a foreclosure. The first and best option is often a chapter 13 filing as that halts all foreclosures and sheriff's sales and gives us time to deal with the situation. If you are facing foreclosure, then you need to see us asap as there is little we can do after the date of the sheriff's sale.
26 years, 1,000 cases
I am a debtor's attorney. Although I still do a bit of estate planning and probate, most of my work is now focused on helping people keep their homes and income. My goal is to assist people in dealing with their debt and reduce their stress. My favorite client comment is "not I can finally sleep again." I practice in all areas of bankruptcy and debt relief (foreclosure, business, tax, consumer debt, etc.).
26 years, 3,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
Kerry Hettinger PLC
4341 S. Westnedge
Suite 1200
Kalamazoo, MI, 49008
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MI | Active And In Good Standing | 1995 | 06/06/2022 |
Legal answers | 50 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Client Distinction Award | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Planning Commissioner Service Recognition | City of Portage | 2011 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner Attorney | Kerry Hetinger PLC | 2013 - Present |
Partner Attorney | Hettinger & Hettinger, PC | 2002 - 2013 |
General Counsel | King Trust Company, NA | 1998 - 2002 |
Business associate attorney | Frasier, Trebilcock, Davis & Foster PC | 1995 - 1998 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Cannon Financial Institute | Certified in Fiduciary & Investment Risk Management | 2001 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Kalamazoo Gazette | Mortage Modification in Ch 13 | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Harvard Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1994 |
Asbury Theological Seminary | M.Div. | 1986 |
Spring Arbor College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1983 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Annual Bankruptcy Seminar for State Bar | Personal Chapter 11 Bankruptcy | 2012 |
Best Practices Seminar | Complex Chapter 13 Issues | 2011 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Henry & Jerri Schinske | Clients successfully completed plan |
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Michael Walling, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Aug 3, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Kent Bieberich, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jan 31, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have referred quite a few clients to Kerry for his expertise in bankruptcy. Without exception, they have been well pleased with the service and advice that Kerry provided. I have also represented creditors in bankrupcy cases in which Kerry is representing the debtor. While he certainly vigorously advocates for his client, he has done so in a fair, honest and professional manner.
Michael Walling, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Aug 3, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Kent Bieberich, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jan 31, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have referred quite a few clients to Kerry for his expertise in bankruptcy. Without exception, they have been well pleased with the service and advice that Kerry provided. I have also represented creditors in bankrupcy cases in which Kerry is representing the debtor. While he certainly vigorously advocates for his client, he has done so in a fair, honest and professional manner.
Zachary Fallstich, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jan 31, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Kerry is a zealous yet thoroughly professional advocate for his client, with an impressive knowledge of bankruptcy law.
Samuel Silverman, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Dec 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I met Kerry when we were getting ready to take the Bar exam in Michigan many years ago. He is a Harvard graduate. It was obvious that he was very smart. He is also a great guy and has proven to be a top attorney in his field. I have to say, he would be my 1st choice if I needed help in his area of law. Sam Silverman
Christian Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Sep 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
Cody Knight, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jul 8, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Kerry is an excellent bankruptcy attorney in South-West Michigan.
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