How to Successfully Seize Your Debtor’s Assets

If you know about your debtor’s assets, like inventory, equipment, vehicles, watercraft, or other personal or real property, you can ask the court to issue a writ to attach property, sometimes referred to as a writ of execution or a writ to seize property.

We can help you form a successful debt collection strategy for seizing your debtor’s property. Most states require that you use writs to attach property against personal property first and real property second. Certain types of property are exempt from execution. For example, a home owned by both a husband and wife would typically prevent attachment unless your judgment is against both of them.

Learn more about the process of seizing assets!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How Does the Process Work for Seizing Assets?

 You complete a writ to seize property, the court formally issues the writ, and the writ is then given to a court officer or deputy sheriff. After that, the following happens:

• The officer contacts the debtor to see if the judgment can be paid without the need of a levy on assets, or the officer levies on assets to impress upon the debtor the importance of paying the judgment.

• If the officer levies on the debtor’s assets, the assets are transported to another location for safe storage for a minimum of ten days. If many items are seized, such as the inventory of a business, the officer must inventory them and organize them for sale.

• During the time the items are in storage, the debtor may redeem the assets by paying the full judgement, plus expenses and accumulated interest.

• If the debtor fails to redeem the assets, the levied items are sold at a public auction. 

• The levied items are sold, and the officer pays all costs and expenses associated with the proceeds from the sale.

Learn more about seizing assets!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Debtor Refusing to Pay? Consider Your Post Judgment Options

Have a judgment, but not sure what to do next?

Is your debtor still refusing to pay?

Sometimes a debtor will pretend to negotiate with you to stall for time. If you enter into an agreement that involves payment over time, what happens if your debtor doesn’t make the payments? We suggest that you enter your payment plan in the form of an order with the court and include an acceleration clause. If a payment is late, then the entire remaining balance becomes due.

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Considering Your Post Judgment Options

Have a judgment, but not sure what to do next?

Considering your post judgment options?

At this point, your debtor falls into one of the following three categories:

1. eager payer
2. negotiator
3. deadbeat

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you. 

Knowing the Basics for Turning a Judgment into Cash

Over the course of collecting accounts, you find debtors who pay the moment they receive your first letter or phone call, as well as debtors who won’t pay and who constantly test you to see how hard you’ll pursue the collection. If you have to get a judgment, you already know you’re not dealing with an easy case. If your debtor can afford to pay you but chooses not to pay, he or she will probably avoid paying until no alternative remains.

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

4 Advantages Gained After Judgments

 

From the time you obtain a judgment, you gain some real advantages over your debtor.

1. Judgements get placed on the debtor’s credit reports. 
2. The statute of limitations is less of an issue. 
3. The judgment accumulates interest at your state’s legal rate of interest. 
4. Your judgment is a legally enforceable court order. 

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Statute of Limitations Determined by Industry

The UCC isn’t the only legal code that includes a statute of limitations; time limits can vary by industry. For example, federal law requires that claims for charges or refunds of overcharges in the freight industry must be brought within 18 months of the date the claim accrues (normally the date of shipment). Be sure you understand the laws that apply to your industry, even if you need to talk to an attorney.

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Handle Expired Claims

All claims arising from business agreements have an expiration period. Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a claim for breach of contract for the sale of goods, the statute of limitations is four years. For commercial sales, the UCC permits parties to reduce the period of limitations to not less than one year, but they may not increase it.

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact a Debt Collector in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of a debt collector in Michigan, your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Is Your Debt Collection Lawsuit Being Contested?

Waiting for your defendant to answer your lawsuit?

If the defendant files an answer to your lawsuit, the court clerk places the case on the court’s trial docket. You receive a copy of the answer either from the civil clerk or directly from the defendant.

Even if the defendant starts out by contesting the case and denying your claim for payment, he or she can pay you off and obtain a dismissal or propose a partial settlement or repayment agreement at any point along the way. To facilitate a settlement, some courts can provide a standard order for installment payments that you may complete and file to settle your case.

Learn more!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

What Defenses are Used in Contested Lawsuits?

If your client is raising affirmative defenses, it could stand in the way of you getting paid what you’re owed.

The most common affirmative defenses include:

1. Payment 
2. Satisfaction 
3. Discharge 
4. Release 
5. Fraud 
6. Statute of limitations 
7. Void agreement 
8. Failure of consideration 

Learn more here!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Get The Money You're Owed Today with Help From Muller Law Firm

Having trouble collecting?

Need advice from a debt collection attorney?

After you’ve taken the actions defined by your collection policy and your debtor still hasn’t paid, you shift into collection mode. If your debtor still doesn’t pay, you may need to seek legal help from our debt collection attorneys in Michigan.

Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C. can help you get the money you’re owed. You expect results and we expect results! We’ll handle your case with the professional attention it deserves and we’re prepared to use all our options to collect your overdue debts. 

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Failing to Act Timely to Place the Account for Collection

 

If you have good collection policies, they should include time frames in which to take certain actions, including these:

1. Following up with demand letters requiring payment when an account balance becomes delinquent.
2. Following up with collection phone calls when demand letters don’t produce payment.
3. Immediately following up with the debtor when the debtor doesn’t keep promises to make a payment.

Learn more here!

Make the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Don’t Over-Garnish Your Defendant!

You don’t want to over-garnish a defendant, and you can get into trouble if you collect more than you’re owed. So if the combined garnishments have the effect of over collecting the account, file a garnishment release form with the court and provide a copy to each garnishee.

It’s also possible to accidentally attach funds that don’t really belong to your debtor or only partially belong to her (such as money in a joint bank account). As a result, you may be required to release part or all the funds to their actual owner. 

Learn more here!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Collection in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Issue Multiple Garnishments at the Same Time

Unless the court where your judgment was entered has a limitation, you may seek multiple garnishments against the same debtor. For example, you know where the debtor works and where he or she has a savings account, so you issue both a wage garnishment and a bank garnishment at the same time.

When using garnishments, it’s helpful to have someone who’s familiar with the garnishment process available to answer your questions in case of a problem or complication.

Learn more here!

We Specialize in Debt Collection in Michigan!

At Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C., our attorneys specialize in debt collection in Michigan. We can help you build a strategy customized to fit your business needs. We want to ensure you receive the best possible outcome in pursuing your case. 

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to professionally and aggressively pursuing the money you’re owed in a straightforward, ethical manner. With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Call us at 248-645-2440 for a free initial consultation and strategy meeting!

How to Deal with the Elusive Customer

After your customer’s paying habits deteriorate, he or she may become elusive and avoid communication. Rather than picking up the phone and discussing the account, he or she may let your calls go straight to voicemail and won’t return them. On occasion, you may find that your customer’s voice mailbox is full and can accept no further calls. 

Elusion is a red flag. Put your customer at the top of your list for monitoring payments and exercise extreme caution when considering any further credit.

Learn more about how to deal with elusive customers here.

Make the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Get Creative When it Comes to Communicating with Your Debtor

The phone may not be the only way to communicate with your debtor. Possible solutions might include:

1. Show up on the debtor’s doorstep – Visiting your debtor may result in meaningful face-to-face communication, but there are potential drawbacks. Your debtor could have moved, or upon arrival rather than getting paid you may discover your debtor prefers to engage in a verbal confrontation.
2. Email – Look for an email address on the customer’s credit application, letterhead, purchase order, or website.
3. Fax- Sometimes even when the voicemail is down, the fax machine still works. A fax number may also appear on a letterhead, website or credit application.
4. Text- Even if the voicemail is full, your contact may still accept a text message.

Make the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How Strong is Your Case?

You’ll have to assess your case and determine whether it’s strong enough to win in either alternative dispute resolution or in court. Your evaluation of evidence should include: 

• Reviewing any letters or other written communications exchanged with the debtor, and your notes on any comments made orally.
• Analyzing the debtor’s likely claims and defenses.
• Evaluating the data objectively.

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Determine Your Litigation Strategy

If you can’t get paid any other way, it may be time to consider collecting through a lawsuit. Before you jump straight into court, however, get things right by considering the following:

1. The strengths and weaknesses of your claim, and whether you need to settle for less than you want or write off the debt.
2. Whether you should file a lawsuit or instead consider alternative dispute resolution.
3. Who you should name as a defendant in your collections case.
4. What legal theories you should raise against the defendants.

Your goal is to devise the best strategy, right from the start, to achieve the best possible result. 

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Situations that May Require a Write Off

Does your situation require a write off?

Let’s find out!

Our experienced debt collection attorneys in Michigan recommend writing off a debt if your debtor falls into any one of these categories:

1. Out of business customers
2. Debtors who can’t be found
3. Customers in bankruptcy or receivership
4. Claims on a deceased debtor’s estate

However, every case is different! Please talk to an experienced debt collection attorney in Michigan today to ensure nothing else can be done.

Make the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

At What Point Does It Make Sense to Write Off the Debt?

Do things look bleak for your debt collection efforts?

Have you determined that the debts owed to you are uncollectable?

You can pursue debts owed to you up to a point. You can use your knowledge and instincts, along with advice from experienced debt collection attorneys, to determine the point at which you must write off the debt so you can return your focus to your paying customers.

Read more here!

Need a Reputable Attorney to Represent You?

We’ve tracked down overdue accounts, winning many settlements for our clients along the way. We handle your case with the professional attention it deserves and we’re well prepared to use all our options to collect your overdue debts.

Call us at 248-645-2440 for a free initial consultation and debt collection strategy meeting!

Having Trouble Clearing a Check? Call in the Experts!

When a check you deposit doesn’t clear, your bank will return the check to you. The check will have a number of markings on the front and back, indicating when and where it was processed, and that it was rejected because of nonsufficient or insufficient funds. If the customer doesn’t immediately offer to replace the NSF check with a cashier’s check, deposit the same check a second time. 

The second time may be the charm and it may clear. Monitor your account to see if it fails to clear a second time, and if it does, seek debt collection help immediately. It’s time for aggressive action to be taken by the experts at Muller, Muller, Richmond and Harms, P.C. 

If all else fails, call in the experts! Learn more here!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Simple Steps to Minimize the Impact of NSF Checks

Did you receive a check that bounced?

Were there nonsufficient funds?

How can you minimize the impact of nonsufficient fund checks?

With a few simple steps you can minimize the incidence and impact of NSF checks and the associated “bad check” fee from your bank. Follow these rules:

1. Deposit checks as soon as they arrive
2. Anticipate NSF checks
3. Know your customer 

Learn more here!

Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!

If you need the help of an attorney for debt collection in Michigan your first step is easy! Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Don’t Be Tricked by Special Wording on Checks!

Don’t sign below the endorsement line unless you want to accept the check in full settlement. Although you may be tempted to endorse the check and deposit it, if you’re owed $1000 and you only received half of the amount, you could cost yourself the outstanding balance.

Need a Reputable Attorney to Represent You?

Established in 1961 by John F. Muller, Sr., we continue to insist on total quality as the guiding principle of our business. We constantly review and update our procedures as we seek new ways of working for our clients.

We’ve tracked down overdue accounts, winning many settlements for our clients along the way. We handle your case with the professional attention it deserves and we’re well prepared to use all our options to collect your overdue debts.

Call us at 248-645-2440 for a free initial consultation and debt collection strategy meeting!

Avoid Problems with Special Wording on Checks

You probably never considered a check to be two-dimensional. It’s just a piece of paper, and all that matters is that the information is filled out on the face of the check, right? Not so fast!

You need to watch out for special language that may appear on customer checks, for example:

“Paid in full”

“In full settlement”

“Full and final payment”

Learn more here!

We Specialize in Debt Collection in Michigan!

At Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C., our attorneys specialize in debt collection in Michigan. We can help you build a strategy customized to fit your business needs. We want to ensure you receive the best possible outcome in pursuing your case. 

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to professionally and aggressively pursuing the money you’re owed in a straightforward, ethical manner. With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Call us at 248-645-2440 for a free initial consultation and strategy meeting!