Training Your Staff in Billing, Part 2

In our last blog, we talked about two ways you can train your staff in billing matters. Here are two MORE ways you should keep them in the loop with billing:

Protect Sensitive Data

Your billing files contain a goldmine of sensitive information — business account numbers, bank details, social security numbers, and more. State and federal laws require you to protect that data, and your team needs to know what those obligations are. Train staff on proper data handling, set clear protocols for document storage and destruction, and provide enough supervision to make sure those protocols are followed. A data breach doesn't just hurt your customers, it can hurt your reputation and your bottom line.

Make Training an Ongoing Process

One training session isn't enough. Billing systems evolve, regulations change, and new employees come on board. Build a culture where billing training is revisited regularly. This can be through short team huddles, updated documentation, or periodic audits of billing accuracy. Your staff will be more confident, and your customers will notice the attention to detail.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help with Debt Collection in Michigan?

Even with the best training, sometimes you need backup. 

Let our Michigan-based debt collectors handle the work for you! To get more information and determine your next move, fill out our contact form or call us at 248-645-2440. We look forward to helping you collect what you’re owed!

Training Your Staff in Billing, Part 1

Billing might not be the most glamorous part of running a business, but it's one of the most critical. 

So how do you build a billing team that's accurate, professional, and compliant? Here are a few key areas to focus on.

Start with Accuracy

The best billing system in the world is only as good as the data that goes into it. Errors, ambiguities, and omissions create confusion and can turn a straightforward invoice into a collection headache. Train your team to double-check every entry before hitting submit. A good billing system isn't one that never makes mistakes — it's one that catches and corrects them quickly, with courteous, well-documented adjustments like credit and debit memos.

Always Use the Right Forms

It's a small thing, but mixing up forms causes big confusion. A customer who returns merchandise expects to see a credit on their statement, not a debit. If your data entry team grabs the wrong form, the customer gets confused, your phone rings, and trust takes a small hit. Make sure everyone on your staff understands what each form does and how it fits into the overall billing workflow. A quick reference card or a monthly refresher can go a long way.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help with Debt Collection in Michigan?

Even with the best training, sometimes you need backup. 

Let our Michigan-based debt collectors handle the work for you! To get more information and determine your next move, fill out our contact form or call us at 248-645-2440. We look forward to helping you collect what you’re owed!

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!

Mini Intro to Debtor Admissions, Part 2

Can you use your debtor’s admission in court?

Getting the customer to admit owing the debt isn’t always easy. It can be the next best thing to actually getting paid as long as you handle it right. When your debtor admits that they owe you money, you can:

• Use the admission in court to help prove the debt.
• Remind the debtor of their previous admission if they try to use the same excuses for delaying payment later.

"It defies logic for this Honorable Court to proceed with a case when the Defendant has admitted his liability,” says Barbara Muller-Wilson. We’ll do everything we can to help you succeed in your case!

Learn more in our latest article.

Need help collecting debt from someone in Michigan?

You’re in the right place!

Your money is our #1 priority. If you or your debtor live in Michigan, we can take on your debt collection case. Take the pressure and frustration off your plate by contacting the Mullers at (248) 645-2440 or by submitting a contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Mini Intro to Debtor Admissions, Part 1

What qualifies as an admission from your debtor?

An admission is a statement from the debtor conceding that they owe you money. An admission may be full (“I owe you all the money you claim”) or partial (“I owe you some of the money, but dispute the balance.”) 

The admission can come in a number of forms, including an oral statement (for example: during a meeting or phone call), in writing such as by letter or email, in a repayment agreement you negotiate, or implied by the debtor’s actions such as sending you partial payment on your bill.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need help collecting debt from someone in Michigan?

You’re in the right place!

Your money is our #1 priority. If you or your debtor live in Michigan, we can take on your debt collection case. Take the pressure and frustration off your plate by contacting the Mullers at (248) 645-2440 or by submitting a contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

What is a Receivership?

Is your debtor claiming that their assets are under a receivership?

Although less common than bankruptcy, you may encounter situations where your debtor’s assets are under receivership. A receivership is set up to protect a debtor’s assets for a specific purpose, such as during the course of a foreclosure. The creditor may ask the court to appoint a receiver to protect its interest in the debtor’s assets (for example, in a foreclosure, the assets would include the land, buildings, fixtures, etc.) until the action is resolved.

In appointing a receiver, the court accepts the creditor’s argument that the debtor can’t be trusted to preserve and maintain the value of its assets until the legal proceedings are over. The court then appoints an independent person, the “receiver,” to receive the debtor’s assets on behalf of the court and to exercise possession and control of the assets until the court ends the receivership.

Learn more in our latest article.

Struggling to Collect Debt in Michigan?

Are you struggling with an uncommunicative debtor?

Take the burden off your shoulders and give it to our Michigan debt collection experts. Muller attorneys can help you from start to finish! To get started or ask questions, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form.

Where to Find Bankruptcy Records

It’s your right to follow your debtor’s bankruptcy case. Do you know where to look for info? 

Set up an account with the federal bankruptcy court through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s website: www.uscourts.gov. Click “Electronic access to courts,” and follow the instructions to set up a PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) account. Access to court records through PACER is simple, fast, and cheap, and allows you to easily determine if a bankruptcy was filed and its current status. In less than five minutes, you can log in and learn about any bankruptcy filing. Use the notice from the bankruptcy court, or ask your debtor what name was used for the bankruptcy and what case number it was assigned. PACER will give you the rest.

Similarly, bankruptcies are tracked by internet credit report providers such as Accurint (www.accurint.com) and Autotrack (www.autotrack.com), and may appear in their reports. Although they charge fees, setting up an account with either company will give you access to a great deal of information.

Learn more in our latest article.

Struggling to Collect Debt in Michigan?

Are you struggling with an uncommunicative debtor?

Take the burden off your shoulders and give it to our Michigan debt collection experts. Muller attorneys can help you from start to finish! To get started or ask questions, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form.

Writing a Demand Letter

How do you craft a demand letter to your debtor?

It may vary depending on the situation, but here are a few pointers you can always count on:

Demand letters should be personal; that is, they should be directed to a specific person and personally signed. Whenever possible, identify a person in the debtor’s company who has the authority to pay you, and send your letter directly to that person; sending letters to the wrong people doesn’t get you anywhere. If your demand letter looks like a form letter or isn’t directed to a real person, it will be treated like a form letter (thrown in the garbage). “To whom it may concern”? If your debtor doesn’t want to pay, nobody’s concerned (except you).

Read more in our latest article.

Take Care of Debtor Communication with Michigan Debt Collection Services

When you use our Michigan-based debt collection services, you don’t have to worry about doing all the communication yourself. We take care of it for you! To get started or ask questions, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Intro to Communicating with Debtors

How do you remind a debtor to pay without making them angry?

Effective communication with debtors is hard work. It involves both the art of persuasion and a creative imagination. Think about it: who really wants to pay a debt? Obstinate debtors are a tough audience, yet your job is to persuade them to pay up. So how do you draw your debtor’s attention to your past-due bill and create the desired sense of urgency?

Your demand letter should convey in the clearest possible way that the bill must be paid. The initial demand letter should come across as a friendly reminder so you maintain customer goodwill, and at the same time help you get paid. Remember to make it easy for your debtor to reach you. Include the name and phone number or email address of a contact person at your company so any questions or comments can be easily raised by the debtor and quickly addressed by your company.

Read more in our latest article.

Take Care of Debtor Communication with Michigan Debt Collection Services

When you use our Michigan-based debt collection services, you don’t have to worry about doing all the communication yourself. We take care of it for you! To get started or ask questions, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Entering a Contract with Your Collector

What kinds of things do you need to agree on with a collections professional?

You want to make sure you have written contracts with your collections professionals. You may enter into contracts on a claim-by-claim basis, or you may sign a contract that defines an overall relationship with your professional, perhaps to be renewed annually. Your contract should include provisions detailing what services you’re using and what they cost so that both you and your professional know exactly where you stand before your relationship begins.

The collection industry is highly competitive, and you can expect competitive rates. You may agree to pay professionals by the service, by the hour, or on a contingency basis, where their fee is a percentage of the amount they recover.

Read more in our latest article.

Need Debt Collection Help in Michigan?

Our firm has you covered!

If you’re frustrated with a lack of action from your debtor, our lawyers can help you with debt collection in Michigan. If you have questions about any part of the collection process, or if you’re ready to place a claim, call us at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here.

The Basics of Contingency Fees

What is a contingency fee?

When you enter a contract with a debt collection professional, there may be a contingency fee agreement. A contingency fee is money that a lawyer only gets if your case is won. A contingency fee agreement should describe:

• When and how amounts recovered are to be remitted: For example, your agreement may require that payments by check be remitted when the debtor’s check clears the bank, or, for a certified check, immediately upon receipt. If the service is collecting multiple accounts, you may choose to schedule payments of remittances (e.g. biweekly or monthly) rather than separate payments for each remittance.
• Costs chargeable to you: If the debt collector charges costs in addition to the contingency fee, the contract should describe what costs may be charged and provide a proper accounting to you. For cases that go to court, expect to pay certain litigation costs like filing fees, deposition fees, and subpoena and witness fees.
• How remittances will be paid: Will your service pay you by electronic transfer, or by ordinary checks delivered by mail or overnight courier?

Before you hire a collections professional, figure out what services you actually need and what each service costs. You can make adjustments as you proceed, but you can avoid unnecessary sticker shock by paying attention to these details before you sign on the dotted line.

Read more in our latest article.

Need Debt Collection Help in Michigan?

Our firm has you covered!

If you’re frustrated with a lack of action from your debtor, our lawyers can help you with debt collection in Michigan. If you have questions about any part of the collection process, or if you’re ready to place a claim, call us at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here.

Staying Professional when Calling Debtors

What’s appropriate to say to a debtor when trying to collect?

When you’re trying to collect money, positive comments and professionalism can go a long way. Particularly for consumer debts, you need to be careful about legal restrictions on when and how you make contact. For example:

• Don’t say you’re going to sue the debtor if you don’t actually intend to file a lawsuit if you don’t receive payment. 
• Don’t talk to third parties about the debtor’s account.
• Don’t threaten or harass a debtor.
• Don’t try to collect debts directly from a debtor who has just filed bankruptcy (see last month’s article).
• Don’t threaten debtors with criminal charges if they don’t pay the debt.
• Don’t contact debtors directly if you know they’re represented by a lawyer in relation to the debt you’re collecting.

The FDCPA and other consumer laws limit the times of day for collections calls, limit the number of times a call may be placed, restrict the people who can be contacted about a debt, restrict what you can do if you’re asked not to call again, and the list goes on. Mistakes can get you sued.

Get more tips for calling debtors in our latest article.

Learn More from a Trusted Michigan Debt Collection Expert

Have questions about Michigan debt collection, or ready to file a claim? Reach out to the Mullers at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. If you need a second opinion, check out reviews from our clients!

Contacting Debtors via Phone

What’s the best way to get ahold of a debtor?

Although many technologies exist for instant communication, the telephone is still one of the best. A phone call gives you direct and instant communication with no gaps in time. If you reach the desired person on the other end, they can’t complain about missing messages or e-mails. 

Used properly, the telephone can get you paid in many instances where other forms of communication may not. It’s not just a matter of timing. The manner in which you represent yourself and your company can make a big difference in whether your collection call succeeds or fails.

Perfecting Your Telephone Voice

Develop a “telephone voice” that is a bit slower, lower, and louder than your normal voice. This isn’t to be exaggerated. Your telephone voice helps you pace the conversation while allowing your debtor to clearly hear every word you say.

Getting the Correct Person on the Line

The person who answers the phone may not be the person you want to speak with. Use your credit application or other information from your credit file to ask for a specific person who you know has the authority to pay you. When you’ve reached the point of making collection calls, you only want to speak with a person you know to have the actual authority to write a check and put it in the mail right now. After the right person is on the phone, give your name and the name of your business and make a specific request for money.

Get more tips for calling debtors in our latest article.

Learn More from a Trusted Michigan Debt Collection Expert

Have questions about Michigan debt collection, or ready to file a claim? Reach out to the Mullers at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. If you need a second opinion, check out reviews from our clients!

When to Hire Debt Collection Professionals

What kind of debt collection professional should you hire?

What should you expect from them?

Before you hire a professional, you must determine what services you need. Professionals come in all shapes and sizes, and they offer a laundry list of services to assist your credit and collection operations. 

Here are some services debt collection professionals can provide:

Billing Services and Early-In Collection Services – These services help you at the beginning of the credit process, from the time you provide your goods or services, long before any delinquencies occur. Why hire a professional so early? You may prefer to use an outside service instead of hiring and managing your own credit personnel, or you may prefer to maintain a small, in-house staff while the outside company provides the backup you need as your workload ebbs and flows.

Skip Tracing – It’s becoming easier for people and even businesses to move around without leaving much evidence as to where they’ve gone. Phone numbers may remain the same, regardless of where the debtor is located. When your debtors disappear, professionals can often find them and their assets.

Learn other services collection professionals can provide!

Looking for Debt Collection in Michigan?

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to debt collection in Michigan! At Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C., our debt collectors specialize in pre-suit collection, litigation, and judgement enforcement.

Let our experts handle all the work for you! 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. Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you!

How Can Debt Collectors Help?

Are your customers becoming debtors?

Is it time you got help with debt collection in Michigan?

Collection law firms are ready and willing to help you with billing, tracking down debtors that have gone missing, finding assets, and other credit and collection needs. Whether you have a problem with a small number of accounts or most or all of your accounts receivable, you can find professionals capable of serving your needs. 

Learn how debt collectors can help!

Looking for Debt Collection in Michigan?

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to debt collection in Michigan! At Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C., our debt collectors specialize in pre-suit collection, litigation, and judgement enforcement.

Let our experts handle all the work for you! 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. Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Listen to Your Debtor and Create Solutions

Is your debtor coming up with excuses?

You’ll hear all sorts of reasons why a customer hasn’t paid, including illness, injury to a key employee, a sudden downturn of business, and the debtor’s inability to collect their own receivables. In your collection calls, take the role of the problem solver and even make polite suggestions, such as: “I understand you’ve had some serious challenges, and I’ll work with you as much as I can. Can we arrange for at least half of this outstanding bill to be paid today with the remaining half in 30 days?” Your willingness to sympathize or bend the rules a bit in some, but not all, occasions can result in payment. 

Whatever the reason for nonpayment, check your notes. If the debtor has used similar excuses in the past, but you didn’t get paid promptly, you need to reconsider your extension of credit. Remind your customer: “I’ve heard that one before, we worked through it, and you still didn’t meet your commitment of payment.”

Hopefully the dispute is minor and can be resolved quickly in the first telephone call, so the entire bill can then be paid. Whatever the dispute, if it applies to only a portion of the debt, seek a commitment for payment of the undisputed amount before concluding the conversation.

Learn how to manage a phone call with your debtor.

Debt Collections in Michigan: We Fight for Your Creditors’ Rights!

Have you tried these call tactics and are still struggling with nonpayment?

Don’t let the stress of trying to contact and get results from a debtor weigh you down any longer! Contact our experienced collection firm to speak with an attorney about debt collections in Michigan today at (248) 645-2440 for an immediate resolution to your collection matters. We look forward to hearing from you!

Commons Problems You May Encounter with Debtors

Are calls with your debtors difficult?

Do you find it hard to reach a resolution with slow payors or no payors?

During collection calls, you need to maintain control over the conversation, but simultaneously listen carefully to what the debtor is saying. If the debtor is asking for more time, you should remain firm while encouraging prompt payment.

If the debtor raises a dispute, you need to pay close attention and make careful notes of the exact nature of their complaints. Try to hone in on the specifics of the dispute and figure out how you can address them.

Be prepared for the unexpected. Common problems include:

• Surprise on their end: You’re speaking with a representative of the debtor who isn’t familiar with the fact that the account is past due. Find out if you can speak to someone else, or offer to send over a statement of account or other helpful documents.
• Lack of documentation: Sometimes what can sound like stalling or a poor excuse turns out to be bad record keeping, and the person paying the bills lacks key documents. Getting paid may be as simple as providing your billing address or furnishing another copy of the statement or invoice.

See more common problems.

Debt Collections in Michigan: We Fight for Your Creditors’ Rights!

Have you tried these call tactics and are still struggling with nonpayment?

Don’t let the stress of trying to contact and get results from a debtor weigh you down any longer! Contact our experienced collection firm to speak with an attorney about debt collections in Michigan today at (248) 645-2440 for an immediate resolution to your collection matters. We look forward to hearing from you!

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.