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Michigan Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Gov & Administrative Law for Michigan on
Q: The state of Michigan PUA claims through their collections department that I owe them 21,840.00.

On March 1 2022 Judge Finch dismissed this claim. for the past 5 months this ruling is under legal review by PUA while their collections department is now threatening wage garnishment. I have tried without success to get this matter resolved. Collections refuses to stop harassing me. Shouldn't... View More

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on Jul 20, 2022

Probably. Assuming the dismissal was with prejudice and you are no longer responsible for the alleged debt. I suggest you contact a debt defense lawyer to review your legal options.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Contracts and Probate for Michigan on
Q: If a car has a clean title with no lean against do I have to pay the payments after my husband died?

When he took out the loan we were told they didn’t process it right an d we had to get the title. This loan person was not nice told us we had to car DMV in Ohio to get it. I refused it was 4 months of driving without plates. She finally got the title and gave it to him we transfered it and now... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jun 21, 2022

If the vehicle is titled in Ohio, I recommend that you hold out for an answer from an attorney in Ohio. I am not, so I am going to give a brief answer based on Michigan law.

I do not see a reason to agree to have a lien evidenced on the title. However, if the vehicle is titled to your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can I request a modification of subpoena that was sent to my former credit union?

I am being sued for a loan that I signed for but never received funds. The original creditor had supposedly given the funds to a doctors office for a surgery I had scheduled. The doctors office claims they didn’t receive it. I tried to get this resolved without success. Now 3 years later I am... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 6, 2022

Your question presents two issues: 1) is a possible defense to the suit itself, and 2) the scope of the subpoena / discovery.

You're probably not going to win on the bank statement issue, and quite frankly, that's probably not where your focus needs to be on. You should retain an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: What can i do if my former apartment forwards a false debt to a collection company?

My former apartment claimed that we did not give notice before moving out, and forwarded a $1700 debt to a collections agency, though we did give notice. Aside from the fact that we did give notice (we got the form from the management office), it says NOTHING about a charge for not giving notice in... View More

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on Apr 13, 2022

I suggest you first send a certified letter, both to the apartment and to the debt collector. The letter should clearly deny the alleged debt and explain in detail why you don't owe the debt. Importantly, the letter should also request how they calculated the $1,700 and what clause in the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can a medical debt that was sent to collections in error be reversed?

Our adult son has a medical bill that was put on hold until a discount was discussed. He is self-pay. He never received a call from the person to negotiate and the bill was sent to collections.

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on Apr 11, 2022

I assume a debt collector has called you or sent you a dunning letter. If you received a letter, I suggest you dispute that letter in writing. Send a dispute letter by certified mail to the debt collector with as much detail as possible.

Keep in mind the time period before unpaid medical...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: I had someone call me for collection of under $200.00 from Sprint from 2003 is this legal?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 19, 2022

Probably. It's likely a collection agency that purchased the debt. You may have a statute of limitations claim.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Collections for Michigan on
Q: If a lien if placed on my home, am I able to make payments towards or payoff the lien without selling the property?

Nothing has occurred yet, but I have gotten myself into a tough situation and am making sure I'm informed on the potential consequences.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 11, 2022

Yes, generally you can pay off the lien. Whether you can make payments will depend on the creditor.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal to collect Michigan police license plates for a collection

I am a collector of police memorabilia I collect badges license plates patches anything that has to do with police there are a lot of collectors out there and that's what we pretty much do and then we sell or we trade etc

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 18, 2022

Legal? Probably no different than collecting any one else's license plate. What purpose would it serve though?

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My former boss loaned me 1500 and I haven't been able to pay it back. He's taking me to court. What should I expect?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 6, 2022

Assuming it's small court...no attorneys are allowed. You'll have a hearing - maybe with a judge / probably a magistrate or referee, depending on how that particular court is structured. From there, it will look a lot like what you may see on those judge TV shows (without the drama and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Hello. Wanting to know who is ultimately responsible for a medical bill for my son who is now 18 and in college

we had agreed to pay 50% on copays for our son's health care costs. My ex-husband is the insurance carrier. Our son is now 18 and in college. He recently got some dental work done and because the dentist office always had sent the bills in my name, they sent the bill to me. I am now re-married... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 11, 2021

The dentist office will continue to seek collection from you. I would let the dentist office know that your son is over 18 and that you are no longer responsible for any bills in the future, and that they should collect whatever co-pays or anything from your son directly.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: I got a writ of garnishment in the mail and I can not contact the creditor. They but dialed me but ignore my voicemails.

I don't know what it is for and they are about to take money from me for I don't know what. It is from VA and I haven't lived there for six years. It looks like it is about an apartment complex in Hopewell VA but I never had an apartment in Hopewell. What am I supposed to do since I... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 27, 2021

On the paperwork received, there should be a case number and court identified. Contact that court to find out what's going on. If they are garnishing, that means they already have a judgment against you (a court order that you owe them money) - it's likely a default judgment (entered... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Products Liability and Collections for Michigan on
Q: My brother cosigned for a vehicle

He was summons today for the remaining balance of the vehicle. It was sold after repossession at an auction. I am responsible for the debt and I want to take care of it. He has a family and I don't want to create a financial hardship on him. Can I respond to the summons asking the court to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 1, 2021

He has to respond. He can ask to substitute you, but as you defaulted which is why they are going after him, they may say "naaaah--we want him!"

Now, they may agree to make a payment schedule but before he signs off, is the group coming after him the same people you signed a loan...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Is child support exempt from being taken by a debt collector if they freeze your bank account?

I only had unemployment and child support in my bank account when the debt collector put a hold on my account. Are they are to take the funds?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 14, 2021

I'm not entirely sure, but the burden will be on you to convince a court that those funds are protected from seizure. That is a difficult argument to make when multiple funds are commingled into one account and then seized.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Collections for Michigan on
Q: If child haven't lived in Michigan for four years yet still charging me cs should I be paying this. Now Rack up I'm scr

Now I'm threaten with jail time.

I'm unemployed unable to collect covid unemployment so I'm screwed

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 10, 2021

The child living in Michigan has nothing to do with your child support obligation. You are ordered to pay a certain amount unless modified legally. Once arrearages accrue, they don't go away.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections and Small Claims for Michigan on
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?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 10, 2021

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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: In Michigan, can you file a motion to set aside a default and a motion for summary disposition at the same time?

Can a defendant file a motion for summary disposition before default has been set aside?

If they are filed at the same time how does that affect the case? Will judge first determine if default can be set aside and then address motion for summary disposition?

Trent Harris
Trent Harris
answered on Jan 23, 2021

No.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Michigan on
Q: Are there any lawyers in the southeast Michigan area that specialize in FDCPA?

I see several on here, but i can't seem to get one to return my phone calls or email. If you specialize in going after debt collectors for violating the FDCPA or know of one located in that area, can you please leave a working phone or email i can reach them or you by? I would greatly appreciate it.

David Soble
PREMIUM
David Soble
answered on Jan 10, 2021

Probably the best thing to do is to contact the lawyer's office and request a set calendar time to speak with the attorney. This way you won't be frustrated with 'phone tag."

Good luck. www.ProvenResource.com

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Michigan on
Q: Is it safe to pay a debt collector in full?

This is the second debt collector I'm dealing with. The first debt collector i was dealing with couldn't provide all of the information i requested in my validation request letter, so they passed it to another debt collector. People keep telling me that paying a debt collector is a very... View More

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on Jan 6, 2021

You are right to be wary. Some lawyers will give you a free consultation and review these validation letters and responses to see if you have a potential legal action. If your goal is to pay the debt and not be hounded by additional debt collectors I would advise you to consult with a FDCPA lawyer... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Michigan on
Q: I've been contacted by a law firm to collect a debt i was unaware of until another debt collector threatened to sue me??

I never received a bill from the original creditor. The first letter i got from the debt collector was them threatening to sue me, so i sent 2 letters requesting validation. The first time, they didn't provide all of the information i asked for. The second time, they didn't respond and i... View More

Trent Harris
Trent Harris
answered on Jan 4, 2021

You could call the law firms for both debt collections, and ask them who the original creditor and the original account number was for each. You could also send them a letter asking the same questions. Keep in mind that when you talk to them on the phone, they will be recording the phone call. You... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: SOL in michigan for a car repo in 2002? Sued and judgement against me was declared in 2004

I co-signed for a car for a boyfriend in 2000. Repoed in 2002 and know there hasn't been a single pmt made since then. I did receive a letter every few years about collections but ignored it as I couldn't pay it. Last week I get a paper from law firm saying the 4k is now 9k and notice... View More

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on Dec 21, 2020

A 2004 Judgment may seem old, but creditors are permitted to "renew" a judgment. This is probably what happened in your case but you have to do some research and check the court record. Can they do this so many years later? Yes - probably. You need to get a copy of the "register of... View More

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