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How is Judgment Interest Calculated in Michigan?

Michigan has specific rules regarding the calculation of damages in civil cases to ensure that Plaintiffs are adequately compensated. Under MCL 600.6013(8), you are entitled to receive interest on a money judgment recovered in a civil action at 6-month intervals from the date of filing at a rate of interest equal to 1% plus the average interest rate paid at auctions of 5-year United States treasury notes during the 6 months immediately preceding July 1 and January 1, compounded annually. Interest under this subsection is calculated on the entire amount of the money judgment, including attorney fees and other costs. The inclusion of attorney fees in the calculation is particularly beneficial to a prevailing plaintiff. A table of historical interest rates can be found below.

The basic rule outlined above may be modified in instances where the complaint is based on a written instrument that identifies an interest rate to be used in the calculation of damages. Under MCL 600.6013(5)-(7), complaints filed on or after July 1, 2002 that are based on a written instrument with a specified interest rate, the interest is calculated from the date of filing the complaint to the date of satisfaction of the judgment at the rate specified in the instrument if the rate was legal at the time the instrument was executed. In the case of complaints filed on or after January 1, 1987 but before July 1, 2002 that are based on a written instrument, the interest is calculated from the date of filing the complaint to the date of satisfaction of the judgment at the rate of 12% per year compounded annually, unless the instrument has a higher rate of interest. In that case, interest shall be calculated at the rate specified in the instrument if the rate was legal at the time the instrument was executed. However in both of these instances the rate may not exceed 13% per year compounded annually after the date judgment is entered.

These rules apply only to complaints filed on or after January 1, 1987. The interest rates for money judgments filed before that date are governed by MCL 600.6013 (2)-(4). In all of these situations the date of filing is central to the calculation. It is important to note that interest does not accrue on future damages from the date of filing the complaint to the date of entry of the judgment and the amount of allowable interest may be different in settlement and medical malpractice scenarios under MCL 600.6013(1) and MCL 600.6013 (9)-(13).

If you have questions about a judgment, contact the attorneys at Garmo & Kiste, PLC. We have handled hundreds of cases in Metro-Detroit, granting us an extensive knowledge of the courts in this area. For more information about traffic law or to retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) is a key piece of legislation that protects consumers from inappropriate debt collection behavior. It is not uncommon for companies to utilize extreme tactics in order to attempt to collect sums of money. So where does the statute draw the line between acceptable debt collection behavior and those that are unacceptable? The following are examples of behaviors the FDCPA has deemed illegitimate.

Under Section 805, the debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt at any unusual time or place. The general rule the FDCPA establishes is that the window for communication is between 8 am and 9 pm. Additionally, if you have hired an attorney to represent you in regard to the debt collection, the debt collector is not permitted to communicate with you unless your attorney is not responding.
Further, under Section 806, a debt collector may not engage in any conduct which consequentially harasses, oppresses or abuses any person in connection with the collection of a debt. This includes violent threats, using obscene or profane language, and repeatedly calling with the intent to annoy, abuse or harass.
There are other illegal behaviors that are more subtle including making false, deceptive or misleading representations in connection with the collection of debt such as falsely representing the amount of debt, implying that an individual is an attorney when they are not, and threatening legal action that cannot be taken.

If a debt collector fails to comply with this law, they are liable for the actual damages sustained as a result of their breach and other damages up to $1,000.00. As a consumer, it is important to know your rights and defend them when they are infringed upon. If a debt collector has employed any of the tactics above or engaged in other questionable conduct, contact the attorneys of Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 or send us a private message for more information about what to do next.

Michigan Credit Reporting Error Repair Attorneys:

Checking your credit report is one of the most important things you can do as a credit consumer. The three main credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, are responsible for maintaining credit files of millions of Americans. Some of these credit files have errors. In fact, the FTC conducted a study of the U.S. credit reporting industry in 2012 which revealed that 5% of consumers had significant errors on at least one of their three credit reports. This study highlighted the importance of regularly checking your credit report for errors. These errors can lead to lower credit scores. Lower scores have a serious impact on your wallet.

So how can you get your credit report? The Federal Credit Reporting Act dictates that each of the three main credit reporting agencies must provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once a year, upon request. To order your credit report, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit AnnualCreditReport.com for a printable order form. You may also purchase a copy of your report by contacting the agencies individually.

What do mistakes look like? Some agencies may report mortgages that were the subject of short sales as foreclosures, include debts that were paid off, report negative factors that had to do with documented identity theft that were out of your control, or even post debts that belong to someone else.

What should you do if you find a mistake? First, you should write a letter to dispute the mistake with the credit agency that reported it. Some individuals successfully proceed with the dispute process. However, many consumers find that credit agencies don’t always resolve these situations or even respond to communications. These are the individuals that may need to take legal action in order for the agency to fix the mistake. The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides remedies to consumers that have mistakes on their credit report. Consumers may, through legal action, recover actual damages that resulted from the mistake such as economic harm and emotional distress and punitive or statutory damages in some situations. If you have found a mistake and are having a difficult time with a credit reporting agency, call the attorneys at Garmo & Kiste, PLC. We will help you take the steps necessary to resolve the situation. Contact Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or send us a private message.

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Michigan Spot Delivery and Automobile Dealer Fraud Attorneys / Spot Delivery and Yo-Yo Financing:

Purchasing a car is a very exciting life event. You find a match, sign the paperwork, make a down-payment and get the keys. Most consumers would assume that’s the end of the transaction but a certain practice conducted by some dealerships may make it possible for the dealership to reclaim the vehicle at a later date and time. This practice is called Spot Delivery. This is when a car dealership will tell a customer that they have been approved for financing and complete the paperwork and sale without knowing if a finance company will actually purchase the customer’s credit contract. The dealership will give the customer a temporary registration number and if a finance company will not purchase the customer’s credit contract, then the dealership may decide to reclaim the vehicle. This is called Yo-Yo financing. The dealership may employ deceptive tactics to regain possession of the property including luring customers in under false pretenses such as the opportunity to receive free services. Sometimes the dealership will even refuse to return the down payment.

Not only is Spot Delivery unethical but this is considered an illegal practice in Michigan. Customers that have suffered from this practice may recover the value of the vehicle and sometimes other damages under the Truth In Lending Act and the Michigan Credit Reform Act.

If you have been the victim of Spot Delivery or Yo-Yo Financing, call the attorneys at Garmo & Kiste, PLC. We are experienced attorneys that will fight for your rights. Contact Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 now for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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Revocation of Paternity Act, Changes and New Developments:

The revocation of paternity act was enacted and became immediately effective on June 12, 2012. The new procedure for revoking paternity allows for mothers, alleged fathers, or affiliated fathers to bring an action to revoke a determination of paternity. Each potential petitioner has to satisfy different tests.

The mother may file under one of two options. Under the first option, the mother must identify the alleged father by name and the presumed father. The alleged father and the mother must have at some time mutually and openly acknowledged a biological relationship between the alleged father, AND the action must be filed before the child is three years old. Under the second option, the mother must identify the alleged father by name. Additionally, where the presumed father has the ability to pay and without good cause, either

the presumed father has failed or neglected to provide regular and substantial support for two years; or
has failed to substantially comply with a support order for two years; or
the child is less than three years of age and the presumed father lives separately and apart from the child.

These are fairly restrictive requirements.

The requirements for a presumed father are more lenient. A presumed father is a man who is presumed to be the child’s father by virtue of his marriage to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s conception or birth. MCL 722.1433(4). In order to bring a Petition, a presumed father may file to exclude a child from his marriage if he files before the child turns three, or if he raises the issue in a divorce or separate maintenance action between the presumed father and the mother.

An alleged father is a man who could have fathered a child. MCL 722.1433(3). For an alleged father to file to exclude a child from a marriage, he must do so under one of three options.

The alleged father must show he did not know or have reason to know that the mother was married at the time of conceptions, and the presumed father, alleged father, and mother at one time mutually and openly acknowledged a biological relationship between the alleged father and the child, and the child is not yet three, and the child’s paternity is or will be determined by a court; or
The alleged father must show that he did not know or have reason to know that the mother was married at the time of conception and either

1. The presumed father, having the ability to support the child has failed and neglected without good cause to provide regular and substantial support for two years
2. Or has failed to substantially comply with a support order for two years; or
3. The child is less than three, and the presumed father lives separately from the child, and the child’s paternity is or will be established by court.

One interesting fact is that a judgment under the RPA does not relieve a man from a prior support obligation. MCL 722.1443(3). This is consistent with the fact that you cannot retroactively contest child support, one may only contest it going forward.

One outstanding issue yet to be worked out by the courts is the future of Serafin motions. While the RPA was enacted in June 2012, so portions of it did not become active until June 12, 2014. As such, the common law relief of a Serafin motion, based on the case Serafin v Serfin, may no longer be available after that time. These motions allowed for the presumption of legitimacy of marriage to be rebutted based on clear and convincing evidence. Some have argued this relief was intended to be concurrent despite the fact that the section of the RPA provides a different remedy for the same problem. This has yet to be clarified by courts.

If you or a family member are facing an issue with respect to paternity, it is important to hire an experienced attorney who can navigate the ever changing contours of this complex law. To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, for assistance in these matters call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message. We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy, MI.

Have you been contacted by Weber & Olcese, PLC about an outstanding debt? If so, this means that a debt collector has retained this law firm in order to help them collect this sum of money from you. Typically this happens when an individual has credit card debt or unpaid student or personal loans. Depending on your particular situation, your debt or “portfolio” may have changed hands several times from the original debtor to subsequent collectors.

When a firm such as Weber & Olcese, PLC is involved, their job is to do everything they can to recover these funds for their client, the owner of your debt. This means they may have taken legal action or may in the future. If you have been contacted by Weber & Olcese, PLC or a debt collector, it is in your best interest to consider retaining your own legal counsel to defend your rights. The attorneys at Garmo & Kiste, PLC are experts in debt collection cases. Our expertise stems from years working with debt collectors and defending clients in cases involving creditors, debt collection agencies and firms such as Weber & Olcese, PLC. We have handled many cases in cities such as Troy, Novi, and Madison Heights. We have gained detailed knowledge about the various options that may be available to you. Some firms won’t look beyond bankruptcy but we pride ourselves on giving each case individualized attention and finding the correct solution for each client’s situation. If you have been contacted by Weber & Olcese, PLC or have outstanding debt, contact Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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If you have received a letter from Zwicker & Associates, PC or another debt collection firm stating you have an outstanding balance, there are a few things you need to know. Zwicker & Associates, PC is a debt collection firm that frequently represents Discover and American Express. They pursue legal action on behalf of these debtors, hoping to collect outstanding debts.

Debt collectors are required to follow certain rules, though some will push the legal limits. They are required to inform you of the exact amount you owe, tell you who they are and what entity they represent. They are not allowed to give you false information, claim that they work for a credit reporting agency, or tell you that you are guilty of committing a crime. If you have been contacted by someone claiming any of these things, this is a signal that the debt collector may be using abusive, illegal practices.

There are a number of tips you may implement in order to ensure you don’t get strong-armed by these entities. Ensure you are familiar with your rights under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA may apply to lawyers if they are acting as a debt collector. Further, though the debtor hopes to collect the full amount of your balance, you may be able to settle for less than the amount they claim you owe. Even if you owe a large amount, bankruptcy is not your only option. Paying a lump sum may not be possible for you but an experienced attorney can be instrumental in reaching a settlement and arranging a payment plan with collection firms such as Zwicker & Associates, PC on your behalf. This can make it easier for you to pay off outstanding debt.

For more information about Debt Collection Defense and Zwicker & Associates, PC or to retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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Have you been sued by Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson, & Hornik, LLC? If so you are not alone. Whether you are sued based on an underlying credit card debt, deficiency, or judgment, our experienced attorneys can attempt to negotiate a deal and settle the debt in full. Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson, & Hornik, LLC is such a large scale operation that you are able to submit an offer in compromise online. However, when we take the case, we are able to speak directly with the negotiators and attorneys who are responsible for your file. We have experience with this company and, in fact, used to be debt collectors ourselves. As such we know all the ins and outs of the system and can leverage that to secure you the best deal possible.

It is best to contact a debt collection defense attorney as soon as you are a few months behind on a debt. At that time we can strategize how to best negotiate a settlement based on your change in circumstances, decreased income, job loss, etc. However, we can still help even if your debt has been sold off to a collection agency, third party debt buyer, or is in active litigation (meaning you have been sued). Once you have been sued you must act fast, as debt collection attorneys Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson, & Hornik, LLC are an aggressive firm and if you do not answer in a timely fashion and according to the court’s specifications you could end up with a default judgment against you or even a writ of garnishment for your wages or income tax.

If you have outstanding debt, have been harassed by a debt collection agency, or contacted by a law firm or third party debt buyer like Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson, & Hornik, LLC, Call Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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Many individuals that have been subject to the debt collection process perceive it as confusing, questionable or even unfair. That was the exact sentiment of Wallace, who brought a claim against a debt collector over a letter it sent him. Specifically, Wallace and his attorney, brought a claim against Diversified Consultants over the wording of directions in the notice letter. The letter stated that he owed $2,000.00 for a phone bill and that he must respond within 30 days “of” receiving the notice. The federal law governing debt collection requires that individuals be informed that they have 30 days to respond “after” receiving the notice.

Wallace filed this claim in federal court but his claim was dismissed. He appealed this dismissal and the Court of Appeals once more determined that this claim was unfounded because a reasonable person would understand what the notice meant. Though this was clearly a frivolous claim, there are specific procedures that debt collectors must follow. Individuals in debt do have rights that debt collectors cannot infringe upon including the right to not be repeatedly harassed at work. It is important to find an attorney with a track record of taking cases seriously. You can trust that the attorneys at Garmo & Kiste, PLC will defend your rights with integrity, provide tailored service to your case and will not waste your time.

If you have outstanding debt, have been harassed by a debt collection agency, or contacted by a law firm or third party debt buyer like Diversified Consultants, Call Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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Sued by Midland Funding, LLC in Michigan? We can help

If you have past due debts on credit card accounts, deficiencies, or other debts you may have creditors calling and harassing you. Eventually, the debt may be purchased by a third party debt buyer such as Midland Funding, LLC. This means that the debt has been charged off, (written off as bad by the original debt holder) and the original note-holder may have collected on an insurance policy. Since these debts have a track record of being unpaid, they are a bargain and can be sold in bulk to companies like Midland Funding, LLC.

This is actually good news for the person owing the debt, because debt buyers tend to settle accounts for much lower than original debt holders. The debt is already charged off, and they have purchased the debt for a very small amount so they can make a profit on a much lower percentage. On the other hand though, they are pretty aggressive in collection so if the debt remains unpaid for long enough while it is owned by Midland Funding, LLC they will almost always sue. In these cases Midland Funding, LLC is usually represented by one of three large law firms: Mary Jane Elliott PLLC, Stillman Law Offices, or Weltman, Weinburg, and Reis. Our offices have worked with these law firms extensively. In fact, our attorneys used to be debt collectors themselves before they became defense attorneys- we know all the tips and tricks of the trade and can put them to work for you.

Once you are sued, you must take action and answer the court in a specific format or else Midland Funding, LLC will take a default judgment against you. We get many calls from people who have had a default taken against them. Usually these people are being subjected to wage garnishments or income tax return garnishments. While we can still help these individuals, you have a lot more leverage if an attorney gets involved from the beginning. We can help you respond to the court appropriately, protect your rights, and ultimately negotiate a settlement on your behalf for less than the total debt.

If you have outstanding debt, have been harassed by a debt collection agency, or contacted by a law firm or third party debt buyer like Midland Funding, LLC, Call Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.

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how is judgment interest calculated in Michigan?

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