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Michigan Collections Questions & Answers
4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My husband has just started getting his wages garnished. Do we have any options

His net income is $1400 bi-weekly. They took $370 out of his last check. We cannot afford to lose that much money. Do we have any way to fight this. Is there a way to file bankruptcy without it costing us thousands of dollars?

Robert Keyes
Robert Keyes
answered on Jan 8, 2025

Probably. But it depends on a lot of information that a bankruptcy attorney would need to know. Some example questions:

What notice did you receive of the lawsuit from which he is being garnished?

If nothing then you can file paper to get before the judge and explain why you did not...
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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My husband has just started getting his wages garnished. Do we have any options

His net income is $1400 bi-weekly. They took $370 out of his last check. We cannot afford to lose that much money. Do we have any way to fight this. Is there a way to file bankruptcy without it costing us thousands of dollars?

Ralph Reisinger
Ralph Reisinger
answered on Jan 8, 2025

You have two options. You can file a motion for time payments with the Court, this may allow you to lower the amount you pay on a monthly basis and it will stop the garnishment. Or you can file a Bankruptcy. If you qualify for a Chapter 7, it should not cost you thousands of dollars. You should... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My husband has just started getting his wages garnished. Do we have any options

His net income is $1400 bi-weekly. They took $370 out of his last check. We cannot afford to lose that much money. Do we have any way to fight this. Is there a way to file bankruptcy without it costing us thousands of dollars?

Edward Gudeman
Edward Gudeman
answered on Jan 8, 2025

In order for your husband's wages to be garnished, the creditor has already obtained a judgment against him. If you cannot negotiate a payment plan for the amount of the judgment, the alternative is to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Filing a bankruptcy may eliminate the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can I have my wages Garnished if I never received a court date for a lawsuit against me?

Credit Acceptance sued me for a loan that they doubled. I never got a court date for the law suit or anything after for any other court dates for wage and tax garnishments. They are taking HALF of my paycheck every week.

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Dec 3, 2024

If you were not served with the summons and complaint, you may have a basis for setting aside the judgment and stopping the garnishment. Also, a wage garnishment is limited to 25% of your net take-home pay. However, you need to file something with the court to raise these issues, and most people... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: How to win against a debt collection lawyer for a debt that I have already disputed?

My employer received a garnishment against me. I have already disputed this debt with the credit bureaus and had it removed and spoke with the collection agency and argued it is not my debt. I was on a lease with my mom and her boyfriend, because I was over the age of 16 I had to be listed on the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 21, 2024

Your issue isn't with the credit bureaus - they only report accurate information. Your issue is that there is likely an underlying default judgment out there in some court with your name on it. What you probably need to do is find out what court that judgment is from and file a motion to set... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my insurance companies for neglecting to pay and emotional distress?

Due to my medical insurance companies having differing policies on which insurance provider became my primary insurance, I had a series of medical bills go into collections and become a lawsuit due to non-payment. After the court ruled against me, Garnishment was taken from me. Later on, they then... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 10, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. That sounds like it would be a tough case. You could be confronted with the question of what mitigating steps you took to negotiate or defend the matter before it ultimately made its way to garnishment. You could... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Tax Law for Michigan on
Q: A collection agency has court ordered my husband to hand in his tax returns for the last 2 years. They are joint returns

I don't want anybody to see my tax returns since it's a joint tax return do we have to show them?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 20, 2024

When a court orders tax returns to be provided, especially if it's part of a legal process involving debts or collections, both parties whose information is on the joint returns are typically required to comply. This includes cases where the tax returns are jointly filed, as your and your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Tax Law for Michigan on
Q: A collection agency has court ordered my husband to hand in his tax returns for the last 2 years. They are joint returns

I don't want anybody to see my tax returns since it's a joint tax return do we have to show them?

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Apr 20, 2024

A collection agency did no such thing. The creditor to whom your husband owes money obtained a court order requiring your husband to turn over tax records. Unfortunately for you, you have no say in the matter because these are joint tax returns. The creditor has every right to the records.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Collections for Michigan on
Q: what is the allowable interest that my michigan condo association charge on late once a year payment hoa fee?
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Apr 19, 2024

Assuming they are dealing with an INDIVIDUAL, the standard usury law would apply.

What do the condo association documents say? Is that compliant with usury rules? Has anyone raised the issue with the condo board?

Condos are a rather strange animal especially when so many people...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Child Support and Collections for Michigan on
Q: When it is the state that is in court as the plaintiff how can that case be tried as not to be impartial to the state

How can the friend of the court enter you into a contract without your consent and don't you have the constitutional right to contract or not to contract

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Apr 7, 2024

Apparently, you are a New York resident who has an open child support case in Michigan and appeared in a Michigan court. I assume the State of Michigan was the complaining party. Under the child support laws of all 50 states, as required by federal law, each state has a state agency to collect and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Child Support and Collections for Michigan on
Q: When it is the state that is in court as the plaintiff how can that case be tried as not to be impartial to the state

How can the friend of the court enter you into a contract without your consent and don't you have the constitutional right to contract or not to contract

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 7, 2024

If it's child support that the state is trying to collect from you, your "consent" is not required. By being the legal father to a child in Michigan who either has or is receiving state assistance, you are on the hook for child support. Simply put: the child's right to the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: My mother and I both have our names on a piece of property she passed unexpectedly. No survivorship! Can creditor take

Both my mother and myself are on the deed. We were unaware when the deed was formed that there was no survivorship for either party included. I now have submitted a petition of assignment with the court, along with some other documents. My concern is that my mother has some medical bills and I am... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Feb 28, 2024

That is possible. Debt collectors CAN try to go after anything in her estate including the undivided 1/2 interest in the property.

You can limit the risk by publishing and mailing appropriate notices to creditors as part of the probate but as you’ve already learned ‘DIY’ comes with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Collections and Identity Theft for Michigan on
Q: I'm renting a home and I have a feeling the person does not own it. I looked up the homea d it shows a different owner

Also says home is not occupied what should I do

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Dec 9, 2024

The question "What should I do" is too complex to answer here. You may wish to consult an attorney to identify your options. There are several options, and the choice between the options will depend upon a number of factors.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: A lawyer took over my medical bill collection from 2007. Can they keep garnishing my tax return after 10 years?

They also send me paperwork 4 months after filing with the courts

Robert Keyes
Robert Keyes
answered on Nov 15, 2024

Yes. Debts can be renewed every 10 years. I always advise MI clients to not file MI tax returns if they are getting a refund since the state doesn’t care if there is no filing if there is a refund due.

Not sure what you mean about “they”sending you paperwork after filing. After what...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: I've been served a summons from a collection agency, is the contents of the summons above board?

The summons has conflicting timestamps, issue dates and a 'proof of service' form that wasn't filled out in any capacity.

The document states that it was printed 8-15-24, however has an issue date of 8-2-24. It states I have 21 days to respond after receiving to answer. How... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Aug 31, 2024

There is no requirement to have the person serve signed. It is enough to hand the summons to the servee. ▪

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Collections and Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: My ex thegirlfriend two years ago gave me money from what she told me was her savings account to get my car fixed $3000

Total $3000 turns out the money I believed to be her personal funds was actually a personal loan from the bank that she did not disclose. Now two years later the loan was paid back and she’s insisting I pay her back. Nothing is in writing and my name was not listed as a borrower nor did we... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Aug 27, 2024

If you agreed to pay her back, then you owe her the money and she might be able to sue to get a judgment.

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Good morning I was served a summons for being sued how do I respond?

A few months ago I sent out Settlement letters to original account holder with no response and now this?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 13, 2024

Your next step is to file an answer with the court and the party suing you. The only settlement that matters is what both parties agree to.

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Garnishment was taken from me but then cancelled and retracted, who do I contact to get my money back?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 3, 2024

You'll need to contact the creditor - whomever was to receive the garnishment.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: What do I do about a debt from 2011. My taxes this year were taken for the debt. I called the attorney it was from Allen

Park fire dept. I have never been told about this debt, I would assume my insurance, medicaid, would have paid for it. So supposedly I was served, which I wasn't, because the house that they supposedly served me at has been torn down before 2011. So my question is what do I do about this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 9, 2024

You may have a service issue as well as a statute of limitations issue to raise in your defense. Contact a local attorney to advise.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Child Support and Collections for Michigan on
Q: What can you do when the judge lies to you and your court appointed attorney does nothing

I had an attorney that was going to handle my case pro Bono and the judge said that they could not do it because I was not a resident of the state of Michigan but how can that be true if I am in court in that state my lawyer would have to be licensed in that state

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Apr 7, 2024

You can be hauled into court in Michigan even if you are not a Michigan resident. If you are not a resident, according to the judge, you are not eligible to have a court appointed attorney.

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