Three Things to Know About the Michigan Statute of Limitations

Worried about old, overdue balances on the books?

Old overdue accounts should be turned over to Michigan collection services as soon as possible to avoid having your account eliminated by the statute of limitations. Here are the five things you should know about Michigan SOLs on debt.

1. As a creditor, the statute of limitations sets the time period for you to take legal action against a debtor.
2. The statute of limitation is six years for most written or oral contracts. The countdown does not begin until the customer misses the first payment or defaults on the terms of the contract. The statute could be renewed when a new payment is made.  
3. If your agreement or contract with your customer was for the sale of goods, you would normally only have four years to start a legal action to recover on the outstanding balance.

Learn more in our latest article.

Take the Pressure Off with Michigan Collection Services

If you find that taking action on several outstanding accounts is more than you can handle on your own, we can help! Our attorneys have the tools to get the job done effectively and ethically. Call 248-645-2440 or fill out our quick online contact form to get started!

Preparing a Script for a Collections Call

Unsure how to best prepare for a successful collections call?

Your collection phone calls adhere to a simple pattern: you identify yourself and request payment from the debtor. You don’t need to have a complicated script on hand, anticipating every response and scenario, but you should have your basic collections request scripted.

Your script opens with, “This is [your name] from [company name] calling for [debtor name].” Never disclose that you’re seeking money until you have the intended person on the phone. You want to be sure that the person you’re speaking with can authorize payment of your bill.

After the debtor answers the phone, repeat your name, the name of your business, and make a specific request for money. Here’s an example: “This is Tom Smith calling from the ABC Company in Birmingham, Michigan. We show a balance of $2,500 that is 60 days past due, and I’m calling to request payment of that sum. Can you send us payment today?”

We hope that these tips help you feel more confident during your collections call! But if you need help…

Learn more in our latest article.

Call the Michigan Debt Collection Experts

If your debtor is uncooperative, or even if you just don’t want to make the call yourself, our attorneys can handle it all for you! As long as either you or your debtor are in Michigan, we can handle your debt collection. 

To get in touch, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form. We look forward to working with you!

How to Mentally Prepare for a Collections Call

Feeling anxious about calling your debtor?

Before “dialing for dollars,” spend a few moments to consider what you’ll be discussing with the debtor, the debtor’s likely responses, and even the outcome. Think through your call, including:

• Warming up for a collection demand.
• Fixing the minimum demand in your mind (for example: full payment now, or half down and half in 30 days).
• Keeping on an even keel emotionally, even if your debtor loses it.
• Being persistent if a debtor stalls for time.
• Listening but not agreeing with any statement’s contrary to your collection goals.

Picture yourself being calm, confident, and collected during the call. This is time well-spent and can help make your call much more effective.

Learn more in our latest article.

Call the Michigan Debt Collection Experts

If your debtor is uncooperative, or even if you just don’t want to make the call yourself, our attorneys can handle it all for you! As long as either you or your debtor are in Michigan, we can handle your debt collection. 

To get in touch, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form. We look forward to working with you!

How ADR Works in Practice

Do you want to explore your options before you take your debtor to court?

In our last blog, we defined alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and when it should be used. In this blog, we’ll give you a quick rundown of how ADR works in practice, along with some practical tips for creditors.

1. Case Evaluation & Selection: The parties (or their attorneys) assess whether the case is ADR-friendly—e.g. clear factual disputes and willingness to compromise.
2. Mediator/Arbitrator Appointment: A neutral third party is selected by agreement or court order.
3. Exchange of Information: Parties may exchange documents to support their claims or defenses.
4. Negotiation or Hearing:
1. In mediation, the mediator helps the parties negotiate a settlement.
2. In arbitration, the arbitrator acts like a private judge and issues a binding or nonbinding decision.
5. Agreement / Award & Enforcement: If the parties agree or the arbitrator issues an award, it becomes enforceable—either by court order or under a contract.

Practical Tips for Creditors

• Include clear ADR clauses in your contracts (these are usually called mediation/arbitration clauses).
• Keep communication and documentation thorough and professional—good records help in ADR.
• Evaluate the cost-benefit: if your claim is small, ADR may resolve it efficiently.
• Engage experienced attorneys familiar with debt and dispute resolution law.

Learn more in our latest article.

Your Go-To Guys for Michigan Collection Services

If you need some help navigating ADR, or if you’re at the end of your rope and ready to take your debtor to court, the Mullers can help! To talk with a collection services expert in Michigan, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form to get started! We’ll make the process easy for you.

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?

Did you know that there’s more than one way to resolve your collections case?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a general term for things like mediation or arbitration that let disputing parties resolve a claim without going through a full court trial. In Michigan debt-collection cases, ADR offers a faster, more flexible path to agreement for both creditors and debtors.

Courts may order ADR during litigation to encourage settlement, limit costs, and reduce caseload pressure.

Why Use ADR for Debt Collections?

• Cost savings: ADR tends to incur fewer procedural fees than standard lawsuits.
• Speed: A mediated or arbitrated resolution can often conclude faster than waiting for trial.
• Confidentiality: Unlike public court records, ADR processes are often confidential.
• Less adversarial: It encourages cooperation rather than future litigation hostility.

Learn more in our latest article.

Your Go-To Guys for Michigan Collection Services

If you need some help navigating ADR, or if you’re at the end of your rope and ready to take your debtor to court, the Mullers can help! To talk with a collection services expert in Michigan, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form to get started! We’ll make the process easy for you.

Dealing with Difficult Debtors: Screaming and Crying

Is your debtor making business exceptionally difficult to conduct?

Debtors come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. If you’re lucky, your customer will be polite and apologetic. However, it’s more realistic to think that you’ll encounter unpleasant behaviors. Here are two common difficult behaviors:

Screaming

Some debtors can become enraged to the point of screaming at you over the phone. You must remain calm and remember your ultimate goal: to collect payment. Some screamers calm down if you request permission to speak. If the screamer grants you permission, state the case for payment without any sign of emotion or attempt at intimidation. Describe their account balance and make a specific request for payment.

Crying

This type of debtor wants your sympathy and makes every effort to make you feel sorry for them by using illness, divorce, a death in the family, accidents, and other life altering events to pull at your heartstrings. Don’t fall for it!

Remain calm and composed, giving a response like, “I can certainly appreciate how you feel; however, we have business at hand and must resolve this outstanding balance.” You should demonstrate that you listened to what the crier was saying, but at the same time continue demanding payment.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help? Enlist Expert Michigan Collection Services!

If trying to collect from you debtor has gotten out of control, it’s time to call in the pros.

The Mullers offer collection services in Michigan, meaning that if you or your debtor are in Michigan, we can help! Call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here to get started. We look forward to taking collections off your plate and getting you the money you’re owed.

Dealing with Difficult Debtors: Arrogance and Selective Memory

Are you having trouble dealing with your debtor’s personality?

You should know the best way to respond to the most common unpleasant personalities in order to get the best outcome out of your collection calls. Here are two of the most frustrating personality traits:

Arrogance

Some debtors think they are a lot smarter than you. In this case, your debtor will offer all sorts of explanations for nonpayment, and may have even convinced themselves that they don’t owe you any money. To keep the call under your control, respond calmly and persistently, point by point, with the facts that refute your debtor’s allegations. Don’t let your temper escalate with each point.

Selective Memory

This debtor claims that they don’t recall making their purchase, and don’t recall making a commitment to paying the bill. Your job is to remind your debtor that commitments were made on specific dates for specific amounts of money. By producing a document for every denial, you can successfully overcome your debtor’s selective memory. This is where keeping detailed documents proves invaluable.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help? Enlist Expert Michigan Collection Services!

If trying to collect from you debtor has gotten out of control, it’s time to call in the pros.

The Mullers offer collection services in Michigan, meaning that if you or your debtor are in Michigan, we can help! Call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here to get started. We look forward to taking collections off your plate and getting you the money you’re owed.