Q: I won a small claims judgment, for 6096.00 in Inkster MI, against a apartment management corp, but unable to collect.
I have garnished their bank account … it was $1.11 in it. Then I had a court order for the Wayne county sheriff seize property but this has not been successful either. How can I collect my judgment from someone or entity that refuses to cooperate?
A:
You've asked the $64,000 question. You may have what can be called a judgment proof debtor. You have right now a piece of paper saying someone legally owes you money; that paper is just - a piece of paper - unless and until you can legally collect.
All you can really do is keep trying what you've already done. But it sounds like the debtor has been through this before or is otherwise hip to the game. You might not ever find anything in their name for anyone to take.
One thing you possibly could try is file a tax lien with the state treasury. But if they don't file taxes or get a refund, you're not going to get anything from that either.
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