DEMERS LAW PLLC

Bankruptcy · MI

Rating: 4.4/5

DEMERS LAW PLLC logo

Michigan-based bankruptcy attorney with 29 years of experience offering Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and consumer law services in Detroit.

Official Website

https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/kenneth-demers-1531713

DEMERS LAW PLLC Review

Kenneth Demers founded Demers Law, PLLC after graduating from Detroit College of Law in 1995 and beginning his career with Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services. Based in the Guardian Building in downtown Detroit, the firm has maintained a consistent presence serving Michigan consumers for nearly three decades. Demers is admitted to practice in Michigan since 1996 and holds a Martindale Hubbell Client Champion Silver Award (2024).

The firm specializes in bankruptcy law, offering both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, as well as debt relief consultation. Beyond bankruptcy, Demers Law provides comprehensive consumer law services including estate planning, probate law, landlord-tenant representation (both evictions and tenant rights), housing discrimination cases, and lemon law claims. The attorney offers a free initial consultation and accepts video conferencing via Zoom to increase accessibility.

Demers Law distinguishes itself through personalized client service and demonstrated willingness to go beyond standard legal representation. According to client reviews, the attorney has provided transportation to court proceedings and negotiated fee reductions for successful outcomes. The firm operates extended hours, including Saturday appointments by request, and maintains direct accessibility via phone and email. Demers has also conducted seminars on mortgage-related topics.

However, the firm shows inconsistent service quality. Recent client reviews highlight concerns about incomplete filings, inadequate document service, and poor communication regarding case status—issues that directly impact bankruptcy proceedings where procedural compliance is critical. While testimonials from satisfied clients praise thorough representation, the mixed reviews suggest operational challenges that prospective clients should investigate carefully before engagement.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider DEMERS LAW PLLC and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • 29 years of legal experience with admission to Michigan State Bar since 1996
  • Free initial consultation available to all prospective clients
  • Offers video conferencing via Zoom for remote accessibility
  • Extended office hours including Saturday appointments by appointment
  • Martindale Hubbell Client Champion Silver Award recipient (2024)
  • Comprehensive consumer law practice beyond bankruptcy (estate planning, probate, landlord-tenant)
  • Based in prestigious Guardian Building location in downtown Detroit

Areas to Consider

  • !Recent client review (Sept 2024) documented failure to file proper papers and inadequate service of process before court dates
  • !Client reports indicate lack of proactive communication about case status, requiring clients to repeatedly contact for updates
  • !Mixed quality in case management and attention to detail, particularly problematic in landlord-tenant matters
  • !No information about bankruptcy specialization rates, timeline expectations, or specific Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 guidance
  • !Small firm structure may limit capacity during high-volume periods

Verdict Summary

DEMERS LAW PLLC works best for consumers who value 29 years of legal experience with admission to michigan state bar since 1996 and can accept the tradeoff of recent client review (sept 2024) documented failure to file proper papers and in. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact DEMERS LAW PLLC

Before signing up with any Bankruptcy provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With DEMERS LAW PLLC

Match these decision factors against DEMERS LAW PLLC's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Bankruptcy providers.

Category

Bankruptcy

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider DEMERS LAW PLLC's stated strengths (29 years of legal experience with admission to Michigan State Bar since 1996) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Bankruptcy typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Bankruptcy providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details: Contact provider for current pricing and guarantee details.
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does DEMERS LAW PLLC offer?

DEMERS LAW PLLC offers 12 services including Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing and representation, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing and representation, Debt relief consultation and strategy, Estate planning, Probate law representation, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is DEMERS LAW PLLC best suited for?

DEMERS LAW PLLC's profile signals suggest it may fit: Michigan consumers filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy who prefer local, experienced representation; Clients seeking bundled consumer law services (bankruptcy + estate planning or landlord-tenant); Individuals who value personalized service and willingness to work with financial constraints. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of DEMERS LAW PLLC?

Key strengths: 29 years of legal experience with admission to Michigan State Bar since 1996; Free initial consultation available to all prospective clients; Offers video conferencing via Zoom for remote accessibility. Areas to consider: Recent client review (Sept 2024) documented failure to file proper papers and inadequate service of process before court dates; Client reports indicate lack of proactive communication about case status, requiring clients to repeatedly contact for updates.

How does DEMERS LAW PLLC compare to similar companies?

In the Bankruptcy category, comparable providers include Allmand Law, recovery-law-group, Weston Legal. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does DEMERS LAW PLLC operate?

DEMERS LAW PLLC serves customers in 1 states including Michigan. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does DEMERS LAW PLLC cost?

Listed pricing for DEMERS LAW PLLC: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit DEMERS LAW PLLC

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Bankruptcy consumers in Michigan. It does not confirm that DEMERS LAW PLLC or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services
Consumer protection: Michigan Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Credit and debt help rules in Michigan

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Michigan: Legal (max $600)

Usury cap: 25% for consumer loans; payday loans capped at $600 with 15% fee on first $100, tiered after

Complaint resources

State references

Michigan allows payday lending with a $600 cap, tiered fee structure, and a one-loan-at-a-time limit. Rollovers are prohibited. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services regulates consumer lenders, and complaints can be filed with DIFS or the Attorney General.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

DEMERS LAW PLLC — Bankruptcy in MI.

Overall rating: 4.4/5

Michigan-based bankruptcy attorney with 29 years of experience offering Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and consumer law services in Detroit.

Next Steps

  1. Compare DEMERS LAW PLLC against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how DEMERS LAW PLLC matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for DEMERS LAW PLLC's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit DEMERS LAW PLLC once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Bankruptcy providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.