"Collections" refers to the process by which creditors attempt to get nonpaying debtors to pay what is owed. There are many laws in Livonia, Michigan regulating the conduct of collections agences.
What if I Am Owed Money in Livonia, Michigan?
If someone owes you money and won't pay, you have some legal options to seek repayment of your debt. However, you need to be careful in this area. There are many laws and regulations detailing what debt collectors can and cannot do. Breaking these laws, even inadvertently, can harm your chances at collecting, and maybe even expose you to civil penalties.
For example, when attempting to collect, creditors are not allowed to use abusive language, contact any third party about the debt, and of course they are not allowed to use threats of violence in an attempt to get their money.
You may, however, send a written demand for timely payment which lays out to the debtor precisely how much is owed. If a large amount of money is owed to you, it might be a good idea to hire a collections agency in Livonia, Michigan. These agencies usually take their fee in the form of a percentage of the debt collected. You need to research agencies carefully however, and make sure the one you hire does not engage in illegal practices.
What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Livonia, Michigan?
Of course, if you owe money and have the ability to pay it, you should do so. If the collections caller is behaving civilly, you should do the same. In any case, it is never a good idea to ignore the issue, because that will definitely not make it go away.
Thankfully, you have numerous options at your disposal in Livonia, Michigan. First, you should try to contact the creditor directly, and see if some sort of solution can be worked out. If this is unsuccessful, you can tell the collectors to stop contacting you, which may work in some instances. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, but it might give you a little bit of breathing room. The collectors will only be allowed to contact you to let you know that they are suing you for the money owed, or that they have stopped attempting to collect the debt.
If you have retained the services of a Livonia, Michigan attorney, they might advise that you declare bankruptcy, depending on your specific situation. In any case, you shouldn't consider bankruptcy before weighing other options, and discussing the matter with an attorney.
How Can a Livonia, Michigan Collections Attorney Help?
If you believe that a creditor is violating the law in its attempts to collect from you, you should get in touch with a Livonia, Michigan attorney, since you might actually have a claim for damages against the creditor.
If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, a good lawyer in Michigan can help you with that process, too.