Thursday, May 15, 2025
What is a Receivership?
Friday, May 2, 2025
Where to Find Bankruptcy Records
Struggling to Collect Debt in Michigan?
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Writing a Demand Letter
Take Care of Debtor Communication with Michigan Debt Collection Services
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Intro to Communicating with Debtors
Take Care of Debtor Communication with Michigan Debt Collection Services
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Entering a Contract with Your Collector
Need Debt Collection Help in Michigan?
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The Basics of Contingency Fees
- 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?
Need Debt Collection Help in Michigan?
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Staying Professional when Calling Debtors
- 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.
Learn More from a Trusted Michigan Debt Collection Expert
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Contacting Debtors via Phone
Learn More from a Trusted Michigan Debt Collection Expert
Friday, January 13, 2023
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!
Monday, January 2, 2023
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!
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
How Does the Process Work for Seizing Assets?
- 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.
Take the First Step! Contact an Attorney for Debt Recovery in Michigan Today!
Thursday, July 1, 2021
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:
- Following up with demand letters requiring payment when an account balance becomes delinquent.
- Following up with collection phone calls when demand letters don’t produce payment.
- 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.
Monday, June 14, 2021
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.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
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!
Saturday, May 15, 2021
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.
Saturday, May 1, 2021
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:
- 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.
- Email – Look for an email address on the customer’s credit application, letterhead, purchase order, or website.
- 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.
- 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.
Thursday, April 15, 2021
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.
Monday, March 15, 2021
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:
- Out of business customers
- Debtors who can’t be found
- Customers in bankruptcy or receivership
- 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.
Monday, March 1, 2021
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!
Monday, February 15, 2021
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.