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!

Picking a Reliable Debt Collector

Have you been struggling to find a reliable debt collector?

When you approach a collection professional, they should try to anticipate your needs, asking about the type of business you operate; whether your business is regional, national, or international in scope; who your debtors are (and whether they’re primarily commercial or consumer); and what types of services you’re looking for. If you don’t know what services you need, the collection professional should happily provide you with website links, brochures, and detailed explanations of the services they recommend for your company and what those services cost.

There are several characteristics that mark a reliable debt collector, but recommendations, trustworthiness, and legal compliance are at the top. 

Recommendations: Your debt collector should provide sound recommendations on handling collection files, working with particular debtors, and accepting (or not accepting) settlement offers made by debtors.

Trustworthiness: Can you rely on your collection professional’s advice? Over time, has the advice turned out to be good in maximizing recoveries, or is your debt collector just out for a quick fee?

Legal compliance: Your professional should scrupulously follow state and federal laws.

Get Reliable Service for Michigan Debt Collections

Muller Muller Richmond & Harms, PC is one of Michigan’s leading collection firms, you get efficient collection, reliable results, and peace of mind. If you need help with debt collections located in Michigan, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to taking the burden off your hands.

Characteristics of a Good Collection Service

How do you separate good debt collection professionals from mediocre ones?

Here are some signs to look for:

One-Stop Shopping: You don’t want to search all over the country for professionals that provide different kinds of services in different locations. Find a debt collection professional that offers all the services you need in the locations you require, including national or international services.

Bricks, Mortar, and People: Check the debt collector out, perhaps even in person. Ask them questions, and get references who can tell you about their services. What does the service look like? What type of people work there, what computer systems and other technologies do they use in their collection efforts, and how responsive are they to emergencies?

Meaningful Reporting: Whether you want reports on individual collections files or a bulk report listing all the claims you’ve placed with the service, a good professional tailor reports to your needs. When you work with your debt collector, specify the information you can use, not a bunch of fluff reports with information that’s not helpful.

Remittances on Collections: When do you need to receive payment on collected accounts? Collection professionals usually provide remittances on a collection-by-collection basis, but depending on the volume of claims you place, they may be done in batches, once or twice per month.

Good Percentage of Recovery: How often does the collection service settle claims versus colleting accounts in full? If you authorize your collection agency to settle cases for 80 percent of their value, will it settle every case for no more than 80 percent or continue to try to collect 100 percent? Keep statistics for each of your collection professionals and compare their performances over time.

Get Reliable Service for Michigan Debt Collections

Muller Muller Richmond & Harms, PC is one of Michigan’s leading collection firms, you get efficient collection, reliable results, and peace of mind. If you need help with debt collections located in Michigan, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to taking the burden off your hands.

Your Debtor's Customers as an Asset

Are you struggling to get a debtor to pay?

Your debtor’s customers, or other people/entities who may owe money to the debtor, are an asset that can be used in the collection process. This includes: 

• Accounts receivable
• Tenants who may owe rent
• Insurance companies who may owe money for claims, such as any fire damage or flood losses
• State taxing authorities who may owe a tax refund (if permitted in your state; federal tax refunds are off limits)
• Purchasers of your debtor’s business who may still owe money on the purchase prior

When building a list of your debtor’s assets, include anything that appears to be a possible source of money. If you can identify enough assets to make you reasonably sure you’ll be able to collect the money owed to you, great! If not, consider scheduling a creditor’s examination. 

Stop the Struggle with a Michigan Debt Collection Law Firm

Do you need help with any of the steps above?

The lawyers at Muller, Muller, Richmond & Harms P.C. can help. Contact an expert Michigan debt collection law firm by calling (248) 645-2440 or submitting a contact form here.

Building a List of Your Debtor's Assets

Do you know how to build a list of your debtor’s assets?

When your debtor isn’t paying, you need to pursue his assets to collect your judgment. After you have a list of his assets, you can proceed with strong collection actions, including garnishment and “execution” (seizure and sale of a defendant’s assets). Start building your list by scouring your collections file for information you already have about the debtor, including:

• Home and business addresses
• Bank references
• Information about significant assets, such as real estate, vehicles, and watercraft
• Place of employment (if the debtor is an individual)

Have Questions? Call a Michigan Debt Collection Law Firm

Do you need help with any of the steps above?

The lawyers at Muller, Muller, Richmond & Harms P.C. can help. Contact an expert Michigan debt collection law firm by calling (248) 645-2440 or submitting a contact form here. 

Reviewing Credit with Clients

How often do you review credit information with your clients?

If a customer won’t take the time to fill out a credit application, and you choose to extend credit to the customer anyway, you can protect yourself. Make sure you interview that customer to obtain the information you need to determine creditworthiness and to use as a resource if the customer’s paying habits deteriorate. If you interview the customer by phone, keep a recording of the call (but be sure you can legally record the call under the laws of your state), or write the answers down on your standard credit application and add the completed document to the client’s credit file.

The information your customer provides is valuable when making credit determinations, but that information can be one-sided, as your customer may choose not to share unflattering information about themselves. Perhaps they conveniently forgot to mention tax liens against their assets, or maybe they “don’t remember” that they previously filed for bankruptcy protection. To balance out the possibility that some information may be false or exaggerated, obtain documentation from other sources for the purpose of verification, such as a credit report.

Problems often arise when you act without enough information to accurately assess creditworthiness. If you enforce your credit policies and get the documents you need now, you avoid problems later.

Experience Professional Collection Services in Michigan

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to ethically pursuing the money you’re owed. 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. To protect your creditors’ rights, make use of our collection services in Michigan! Call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form for an effective resolution to your collection matters.

Keeping Notes on Credit Clients

Do you keep thorough notes on your credit customers?

You can help keep the odds in your favor by insisting on good documentation throughout the credit and collection process. Good documentation begins with a credit application, which is required before your first sale on credit to any customer.

Beyond requiring credit applications, you should periodically review credit information for all your customers. Depending on your industry and your history with the customer, you might review credit information every six months or once a year, but even with established customers, you don’t want to go beyond a two-year review schedule. In between reviews, update your customer’s credit data whenever you come across new relevant information. Have your customers complete a new credit application or make appropriate additions and deletions to the old one.

You can avoid a lot of difficulties with defaults if you monitor your clients for changes in their business and financial health. For example, if you find out that a customer’s business has new ownership, or that the owners have formed a new but similar company, it may be time to thoroughly recheck that customer. Sometimes your clients really don’t want you to find out about changes, and that’s a reason in and of itself to recheck them.

Get Results with Collection Services in Michigan

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to ethically pursuing the money you’re owed. 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. To protect your creditors’ rights, make use of our collection services in Michigan! Call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form for an effective resolution to your collection matters.

Detouring Around the Disconnected Phone

What could possibly be worse than voicemail jail? A disconnected phone! In business, a disconnected phone is usually the kiss of death for your collections. It can be a major frustration, but the phone may not be the only way to communicate with your customer. Possible quick solutions include:

• Emailing – Look for an email address on the customer’s credit application, letterhead, purchase orders, or website.
• Faxing – Sometimes even when the phone isn’t working, the fax machine still works. A fax number may also appear on a letterhead, websites, or credit applications.
• Texting – Even if your debtor’s voice mailbox is full, your contact may still accept a text message.

Muller Law Firm Specializes in Debt Collections in Michigan

If you need help settling a debt owed to your business by a debtor in Michigan, contact an experienced attorney who handles debt collections in Michigan. 

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.

When to Visit Your Debtor in Person

Is your debtor hard to contact?

Are they avoiding your calls?

Has their phone been disconnected?

The next step to contacting your debtor is to show up at their doorstep. Visiting your debtor may result in meaningful face-to-face communication, but there are potential drawbacks:

• The debtor is gone – Sometimes the debtor’s address is no longer valid, and driving to the location is a waste of time. Still, if you’ve made the trip, check to see if the business has moved.  Go next door and see whether the neighboring house or business has any information that may help you find the debtor.
• Angry confrontations – Upon arrival, rather than getting paid, you may discover that the debtor prefers to engage you in a verbal or physical battle. Leave if the situation escalates.

Muller Law Firm Specializes in Debt Collections in Michigan

If you need help settling a debt owed to your business by a debtor in Michigan, contact an experienced attorney who handles debt collections in Michigan. 

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.

Speeding Up Slow Payers with a Phone Call

Have you already sent a collection letter to your debtor?

If the letter doesn’t result in payment, your next contact is just as polite but should be made by phone. Of all the ways to communicate with customers, the two most effective are still two of the oldest: face-to-face contact and by phone. In modern business, face-to-face contact is impractical or even impossible with many customers. Fortunately, phone calls can be almost as effective as face-to-face contact. Communicating by phone with the person who has authority to write you a check is an effective way to secure payment.

Learn more about speeding up payments!

Providing Collection Services in Michigan Since 1961

Have you had enough with your debtors?

Want to take your collection efforts to the next level?

Partner with Muller Law firm for prompt and relentless collection services in Michigan. Muller Law Firm can provide collection services for business to business and business to client companies, specializing in pre-suit, post-suit, and post-judgment collection.

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.

Steps Before Litigation

Can’t get through to your debtor?

Are you considering litigation?

Before going to court, try to enter a written repayment plan with the debtor, allowing them to pay off the agreed balance in installments.

In general, it’s good practice to keep good notes and records of your communication with the debtor. These notes are helpful if you do go to court.

Learn other steps to take before going to court!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan

Are you ready to pursue legal action?

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.

To take advantage of our collection services in Michigan, contact us today!

How to Reduce Risk

Do you want to guarantee payment on a customer’s account, even if they don’t pay?

Consider factoring!

Factoring is when you sell the account receivable at a discount to another company – usually called a factor – for cash.

Instead of insuring your accounts receivable, you may decide to sell them. Your factor determines which accounts receivable it wants to purchase and at what discount. For example, if a customer owes you $10,000, your factor may offer you $9,000 for the account. You get your money when you sell the account receivable regardless of when or if your customer pays. You gain quick payment with no credit risk, but you lose the amount of the discount.

Learn other ways to reduce risk on our website!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan Since 1961!

If you want to use debt collection services 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. Don’t let the money owed to you go away- get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

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 to Keep Your Cash Flow Steady

 Have you noticed a decline in prompt payments from customers?

A domino effect occurs when your customers fail to pay your company on time – resulting in your company’s inability to pay its creditors on time. To keep your cash flow positive and sufficient to cover your company’s bills, you must implement some general controls as a part of your credit policy.

Be aware of slowing payments – This is a big red flag! Watch for any signs of deterioration in paying habits. While one late payment may not break the bank, a late payment shows a disregard for your company’s payment terms – such that even one late payment does justify a polite nudge to the customer. The nudge can be a compliment such as, “thank you for the payment,” combined with a reminder of your payment terms, “please keep in mind the payment terms.”  

Learn more general cash flow controls on our website!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan

Get the money you’re owed with help from Muller Law Firm. Our collection attorneys will fight for your creditor’s rights! 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.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

How to Counter Debtor Stall Tactics

Does your debtor come up with excuses for why they haven’t paid?

Here are some common stall tactics and ways you can counter them:

Stall Tactic 1: “I have a problem with some of your invoicing; the numbers don’t make sense to me.”

Solution: Review each invoice or explain how your invoicing system works until you relieve the customer’s concerns.

Stall Tactic 2: “I had a problem with some of your goods and services and my customers aren’t happy; and because they aren’t paying me, I’m not going to pay you.”

Solution: Break down and resolve the specific concerns behind this statement.

See the full list of stall tactics on our website!

Time To Hire a Bill Collector in Michigan?

When you hire one of our expert attorneys, you can be sure that we will work hard to get the results you expect, and do it in an ethical, timely manner. We will aggressively seek what’s owed to you.

Contact our experienced collection firm to speak with a bill collector in Michigan today at (248) 645-2440 for an immediate resolution to your collection matters. 

Responding to Common Stall Tactics

Is your debtor stalling on their payments?

When people can’t or won’t pay what they owe, they trot out all sorts of excuses. Here are some of the most common stall tactics and what you can do to overcome them:

Stall Tactic: “I don’t have enough money on hand to pay you in full.”

Solution: Remind the debtor of possible untapped sources of funds: money can be borrowed from lines of credit, credit cards, advances, or even the old standby, friends and relatives.

See more stall tactics and solutions!

Time To Hire a Bill Collector in Michigan?

When you hire one of our expert attorneys, you can be sure that we will work hard to get the results you expect, and do it in an ethical, timely manner. We will aggressively seek what’s owed to you.

Contact our experienced collection firm to speak with a bill collector in Michigan today at (248) 645-2440 for an immediate resolution to your collection matters. 

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.

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.