
Summary: You have 28 days or less to respond to a debt lawsuit in Michigan. To avoid default judgment, you must file an Answer to the Summons and Complaint. In your Answer, it's best to respond to each claim that's being made against you and assert your affirmative defenses. SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer in any Michigan court.
Table of Contents
- Deadlines
- Answer Forms
- Steps to Respond to a debt collection case in Michigan
- Statute of Limitations in Michigan
- Michigan Debt Collection Laws
- What Happens After You Answer?
- Settle Debt in Michigan
- What Happens if I Can't Pay?
- What if I Haven't Been Sued Yet?
- Dealing with Fraudulent Debt Collectors
- Michigan Debt Relief
- Check the Status of Your Court Case in Michigan
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Michigan
- Michigan Legal Aid Organizations
- Court Locations
- Key Takeaways
"I hope the phone call turns out to be a debt collector," — said no one.
Worrying about debt collection is never fun. It gets even more stressful when facing a debt collection lawsuit. It can feel intimidating to need to file an Answer to a summons for a debt collection suit.
Hiring an attorney to defend you might be off the table because if you had extra money to hire one, you would have paid off the debt in the first place! Most of these lawsuits count on that very fact. If you don't respond within a particular period, the court will hold in favor of the filer (or "creditor") with a default judgment.
The other side wins by default if you fail to respond to a lawsuit by filing an Answer. If you fail to respond, the debt collector may be granted a default judgment, which allows them to garnish your wages or your tax returns.
The good news is that SoloSuit is here to help. By following the steps outlined below, you can defend yourself, which is half the battle. This article will help you learn how to answer a summons for debt collection.
Michigan deadline for answering a debt collection Summons
A lawsuit begins when your creditor files a Summons and Complaint. As soon as the creditor files those documents, the clock starts on the case. At that point, you only have a specific period to respond.
In Michigan, the time you have to respond to a Summons for debt collection can vary depending on how you receive the paperwork.
- 21 days — If you receive the paperwork in person (also called "being served").
- 28 days — If the paperwork is mailed to you instead.
- 28 days — If you get the documents outside of Michigan.
How to respond to summons for debt begins when you file and serve your document, which is called an Answer. There are a few essential things to keep in mind:
- These deadlines are stringent.
- The clock starts as soon as you are served.
- Keep in mind that the response times include weekend and non-business holidays. If the 21st (or 28th) day ends up being a day that the court is closed, the deadline is the next day that the court is open.
Again, these deadlines are a no-miss. If you miss it, that's it. You will not defend yourself, and the court will enter a default judgment. While it might be possible to ask the court to set aside the default judgment and give you a chance to respond, that is rare and should not be expected.
The creditor can collect from you once the default judgment is in place.
The default judgment will be for the full amount of money they claim you owe. This means that there's no chance to dispute the amount or whether you even owe the debt in the first place. The most likely way they will collect will be through garnishment. The garnishment will take money out of your paycheck before seeing it. This will undoubtedly put you in a worse financial situation, so make sure you know all deadlines.
Michigan Sample Answer to Complaint Forms
The way that you answer a Summons for debt collection is by drafting and filing your own document, called an Answer. Filing the Answer lets the Court know that you are disputing some or all of the claims made against you. If you do not answer, then the Court assumes the allegations to be true. This again leads to the default judgment.
You can use SoloSuit's Answer form to draft and file your response in minutes online. Just respond to a series of questions about your case, and you'll have a handy, dandy personalized Answer ready to submit to the court and plaintiff. Here's a sample of the SoloSuit Answer form.
Michigan's judicial branch also provides a Statewide Answer form, but you'll have to fill this one out manually, which could take lots of research and time.
By filing an Answer before the deadline, you keep your rights to argue about this matter in court and to get notice of future hearings.
Filing the Answer lets the court know that you are disputing some or all of the claims made against you. If you do not answer, the court assumes the allegations are true. This again leads to the default judgment.
Steps to answer a Summons for debt collection in Michigan
We break responding to a debt collection lawsuit into three stages. We'll look at each one.
- Answer each issue of the complaint
- Assert your affirmative defenses
- File your Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff
Simply by answering the lawsuit, you've already thrown a wrench into the works of the debt collector. Creditors would prefer to sit back, get a default judgment, and start taking your money rather than going to court. But as soon as you challenge them, they have to work harder to show you owe the debt. And you have the chance to prove you do not owe it.
Each of these steps is a fairly formal process that needs to be done correctly. Now, let's break each one down further. Don't like reading? Check out this video:
1. Answer each issue of the Complaint
The Complaint that you receive will likely have several issues set forth. Each issue will be in a separate numbered paragraph. Be sure to answer every paragraph of the Complaint to let the court know which issues you are disputing.
With SoloSuit's Answer form, all you have to do is enter the number of claims or allegations listed in the Complaint document. Then, SoloSuit's software will prompt you to choose one of the following responses for each claim:
- Admit: like saying, "This is true."
- Deny: like saying, "Prove it."
- Deny due to lack of knowledge: like saying, "I don't know."
Keep in mind, most attorney suggest that you deny as many claims as possible. This requires the debt collector or creditor to do more work on their part to prove their case. If they don't have the documentation to prove their claism, the case will most likely be dismissed.
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to all the paragraphs.
Similarly, Michigan's statewide Answer form has a space for you to respond to each paragraph by checking one of the three boxes that state:
- I agree with the statements in paragraph 1.
- I disagree with the statements in paragraph 1 because _________________.
- I do not know if the statements in paragraph 1 are true.
The downloadable form makes this easy. You can hover your cursor over the box that applies to that paragraph to add to the checkmark. Only choose "agree" if you know it is true. Similarly, only choose "disagree" if you know it is not true, and can offer a supporting statement as to why you do not agree. If you do not know, choose "I do not know." If the paragraph has over one claim, only choose "agree" if all the claims are true.
Make sure that you are comfortable with each response before you submit it. You cannot change an answer to a paragraph once it is submitted. It is also essential to choose "agree" if or when the section is true. You do not need to deny each separate paragraph to win your case. You should, however, deny every paragraph that is not true.
2. Assert your defenses
You can assert a legal defense when you need to go beyond just "disagreeing" with the Complaint. Asserting a defense (or an "affirmative defense") is how you can show the court that the creditor does not have a case against you.
SoloSuit walks you through each defense and helps you apply the right ones.
Common defenses come up in response to a summons for debt collection. With Michigan's form, they are even laid out for you, just like the choices for your Answer. The options include the 12 most likely defenses. The possibilities also reference the proper Michigan debt collection law to cite. Some defenses are:
- Lack of standing is a powerful defense tool when you can correctly assert that the debt collector has no legal basis for filing the suit. This defense is usually appropriate when the debt has been bought and sold without a clear paper trail from the original owner of the debt.
- Asserting that the debt has already been paid
- The allowable time frame to collect has run out (referred to as the "statute of limitations")
- There is a problem with the contract itself
Again, you can check the box next to any affirmative defense that applies to you. Make sure that you fill in any blanks associated with that defense. You should also attach any supporting paperwork when requested.
If there is another defense you think is applicable that is not listed, you can check the box next to option 13 for "other" and fill in the defense yourself. For example, if you believe they are suing the wrong person, you could list 'improper party' as a defense. If you believe the amount listed is incorrect, you could counter with another amount. If you believe the creditor has been improper, you can also explore How To File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector.
However, keep in mind that while there are quite a few affirmative defenses available, your inability to pay the debt is not one of them.
3. File the Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff
Once you complete your Answer, print it out to sign and make four copies. Then file the original with the court, either in person or by first-class mail.
SoloSuit files for you, so you don't have to miss work. You don't even have to leave your house. Michigan does not charge any fee to file an Answer, so you do not need to worry about costs.
The next step will be to serve your Answer on the plaintiff (who is the creditor suing you.) Their contact information will be on the original Summons. Make sure that you complete the certificate of service at the bottom of the "Answer" portion of your two remaining copies. Then, file one copy with the court (again in person or by first-class mail) and keep the remaining copy.
You should also get together all the documents that support your Answer to bring along to your court hearing.
Next, you should serve a copy of the Answer to the plaintiff through first-class mail or personal service. It is a good idea to send your Answer via certified mail return receipt requested. When there is an attorney for the plaintiff, serve the Answer to the attorney rather than the plaintiff.
Statute of limitations on debt in Michigan
Most kinds of debt are “time-barred,” meaning that after a certain period, the creditor no longer has the right to legally pursue you for the debt. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
The Michigan statute of limitations on debt varies by the type of debt, as you can see in the following table:
| Debt Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 6 years |
| Medical | 6 years |
| Student Loan | 6 years |
| Auto Loan | 6 years |
| Mortgage | 6 years |
| Personal Loan | 6 years |
| Judgment | 10 years |
| Source: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5809/5813 |
Use the statute of limitations as a defense in your Michigan debt collection case.
As you can see, the statute of limitations on credit card debt (and most other types of debt) is six years in Michigan. However, statutes of limitations are more complex than the list above may lead you to believe. There are a few different ways the statute of limitations can be reset:
The creditor can renew a judgment
If a creditor sues you for a debt in court and wins, you will get a judgment against you, meaning the court orders you to pay — and the creditor can garnish your wages if you don’t. The list of statutes of limitations above might make it seem like if you can somehow dodge wage garnishment for a decade, you’ll be off the hook.
Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Just like they can in most states, creditors in Michigan can renew a judgment for another decade if they file with the court before the statute of limitations passes.
The statute of limitations resets if you make a payment
The Minnesota statute of limitations on contract debt (like credit cards) is six years. However, that doesn’t mean you can qualify for a credit card, use it for six years, and then get out of paying. On account-based debts, the clock on the statute of limitations resets each time you make a payment.
You must pay if you acknowledge that the debt is yours
Lots of people don’t know about this exception. Creditors and debt collectors will often try to get you to pay for debts even once the statute of limitations has passed. If you admit a debt is yours, you will likely still have to pay it. For this reason, you should never acknowledge you owe a debt to any creditor or collector. Ask for proof instead.
Before you pay anything, make debt collectors prove you owe money and send a Debt Validation Letter first.
Additional Michigan debt collection laws safeguard consumer rights
Beyond the statute of limitations, other Michigan debt collection laws prevent unfair debt collection practices in conjunction with federal laws. Any time you’re dealing with a debt collector, it’s important to understand these laws and how they protect you. Here’s a short list of some of the most applicable debt collection laws that protect consumers in Michigan.
- MI Comp L § 445.251 specifies that a debt collector is anyone involved in collecting or attempting to collect debts, including those using fictitious names or representing collection agencies, with certain exceptions like regular employees, banks, and licensed real estate brokers.
- MI Comp L § 445.252 prohibits actions such as pretending to be lawyers, using misleading forms, lying about the nature of the contact, misrepresenting legal actions, harassing debtors, using violence, publicly shaming debtors, and employing unlicensed collectors.
- MI Comp L § 445.257 allows consumers to seek damages if debt collectors violate these laws, with potential compensation of actual damages or $50, and treble damages for willful violations.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal law, also applies to debt collection practices in Michigan The FDCPA bars collectors from using deceit, abuse, coercion, harassment, illegal methods, and other unethical means to collect.
More specifically, the FDCPA covers the collection of personal, family, or household debts, but it does not relate to debts incurred through the ownership or operation of a business. Under this law, debt collectors in Michigan must not:
- Pester, abuse or use oppression with threats of physical violence, obscene language, or repeated calls intended to annoy you.
- Lie about being from the government, throwing you into jail or "debtors' prison. " telling you they work for a credit reporting agency, or that the documents they send you are legal when they aren't.
- Threaten to sue you even though they don't intend to.
- Threaten to evict you unless they have a valid legal basis.
- Provide you with a document that appears to come from a government or court.
- Use a false company name or represent themselves as someone they are not.
- Try to collect interest or fees unless your contract or state law allows the imposition of interest or fees.
However, Michigan makes it easier for you to pursue damages against debt collectors. Often, in order to pursue damages, you must have suffered significant financial harm. However, under Michigan law, if a collector violates a law, it must pay either the consumer’s actual damages or $50 (whichever is greater).
Penalties are much steeper if the court believes the collector violated the law on purpose. If that’s the case, “treble damages” come into play. That means the collector must pay $150 or triple the consumer’s actual damages — whichever is greater.
Contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the Federal Trade Commission if you believe a debt collector is harassing you.
What happens after you answer a Summons and Complaint?
Filing an Answer to the Summons for debt collection puts the lawsuit officially in dispute.
The court will set a hearing to determine the schedule of the lawsuit and set deadlines for the rest of the proceedings. This may be referred to as a scheduling order or hearing notice that you receive in the mail. Take careful note of all the dates and deadlines.
If you have not received your notice of hearing from the court within 15 days of filing your Answer, call the court clerk to check-in. You should make sure they have it and get an update. That phone number will be on the front page of the complaint against you.
When preparing for your debt collection hearing, it is important to gather evidence to prove your argument. Bring all documents that support your checked answers. This can include any documents that support your argument or statements from other people who know firsthand what went on.
Alternatively, you can avoid going to court and settle the debt before your court date. This may take some negotiating, but most creditors and collectors are willing to work with consumers who have experienced unexpected financial hardship.
Settle debt in Michigan
Have you been sued for a debt? You already know that it’s important to file an Answer before the deadline to avoid automatically losing. But then what?
If you definitely don’t owe the debt, you may be determined to see the case through. For example, if someone stole your identity and took out several loans in your name, you might gather evidence and present it in court to prove that you are not responsible.
However, if you do owe the debt, your best bet is to try to settle debt in MIchigan by negotiating with the creditor or debt collector to whom you owe the debt. You can do this at any point until the lawsuit is finalized. Settling with a creditor might sound scary, but it probably isn’t as complex as it seems. Once you’ve sent an Answer in response to your lawsuit notice, here’s what to do next.
Plan your offer
Technically, either you or the creditor can offer to settle. But almost always, you’ll need to be the one presenting the offer if you’d like to settle. Creditors aren’t obligated to entertain settlement offers, so you’ll want to offer something that’s worth the creditor’s time.
We often say to start settlement negotiations at 60% of the debt, but you can start with something lower if you wish. The key is to make the offer something the creditor will entertain. For instance, if you owe $4,000, offering to pay $2,750 is fairly reasonable. Offering to pay $400 is not.
It’s also wise to decide on a range you’re comfortable paying. Most creditors are going to want to take their time negotiating. When you have a range, you give yourself some room.
Start negotiating
Once you know what you can pay, you can start the negotiations by sending the creditor an offer. Don’t worry if they send a counteroffer. No matter how reasonable your first offer is, most creditors are going to counteroffer. It may take some time, but be patient! Remember that the goal here is to agree on an amount so the lawsuit can be stopped.
Finalize the offer
Once you’ve come to an agreement, the hard part is done! However, before paying, you should always make sure that the agreement is in writing. The agreement should clarify how much you’ll pay, when you’ll pay it, and how you’ll pay it.
But most importantly, it should also clarify that once you pay the agreed-upon amount, the collector waives the right to come after you to pay the remaining amount of the original debt.
Negotiate with creditors and collectors to settle your debt in Michigan.
Watch the video below for more tips on how to negotiate with debt collectors to settle your debt for less and protect your rights.
What if I can't pay a debt collection lawsuit?
While there are many legal defenses you can offer in your Answer for debt collection, the inability to pay for a debt is not one of them. That said, it may be your reality. In that instance, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy, which allows you to walk away from the debt.
Any debt collection cases or actions are immediately put on hold because of the automatic stay as soon as you file bankruptcy. If you can file for Chapter 7, there is a strong chance that you could walk away from the debt entirely. To learn more about bankruptcy, you can check out Upsolve.com. Upsolve is a nonprofit that offers free help to people filing their cases. To see if you qualify, go to their screener.
What if I haven't been sued yet?
If you've only received collections notice but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether by phone or mail, you can respond with a Debt Validation Letter.
This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and requires them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can't call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.
Make your own Debt Validation Letter in minutes with SoloSuit.
Dealing with fraudulent debt collectors
Dealing with legitimate debt collectors can be unpleasant, but Michigan consumers have been on edge because of increased calls from fake collectors. The fraudsters may call you repeatedly at home, work, or on your cell phone, refuse to give you their real name and address, and claim to work for a fake debt collection agency.
Phony debt collectors may have considerable personal information about you. This information may include your bank information, Social Security number, birth date, etc. Impersonators may even imitate law firms, court officials, police forces, or government organizations. In addition, they often tell you that if you don't pay now, someone will come and arrest you.
How can you distinguish between a legitimate but unscrupulous debt collector and a fake one?
Contact your creditor regarding the call and find out who has been allowed to collect the debt by the creditor. Likewise, legitimate debt collectors must send a written notice of the debt within five days of their initial phone call. You will know the call you received was a scam if you don't receive a notice promptly.
The Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General, or the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should be notified immediately if you are contacted by a legitimate debt collector using any or all of the above-listed scare tactics.
Get debt relief in Michigan
If you’re struggling with debt, you’re not alone! And in many cases, financial advice surrounding debt advises you to increase your income, cut your expenses, or both. These are great things to do, but often, they aren’t enough — or you’re already making as much as you can and have trimmed down your expenses as much as possible. If that’s your situation, you might be happy to hear that there are other ways to reduce your debt burden, namely the following Michigan debt relief options.
If you have a low income, are disabled, or are facing a financial emergency, some of these state-sponsored programs may help:
- Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Helps low-income people pay past-due water bills.
- MI Bridges: Assistance program that helps with healthcare, food assistance, childcare, emergency assistance, and cash assistance.
- State Disability Assistance (SDA): Offers cash assistance to adults with certain disabilities.
- PATH - Partnership, Accountability, Training, Hope: Offers cash assistance while helping recipients overcome barriers to employment.
Not everyone will qualify for these programs. Don’t worry! There are still many options that can help you better manage your debt.
Try settling your debt
If you’re familiar with how the debt settlement process works, you might not realize that you can negotiate a settlement agreement with your creditors even if you haven’t been sued for debt. You can negotiate yourself if you want, but when you let SoloSettle help, you’ll probably find that it goes much more smoothly.
There are also private companies that claim they can work with your creditors to negotiate your debt down. Some can be legitimate, but be very careful when you consider these companies!
Unfortunately, because they know most people trying to settle debt don’t have a lot of money, some settlement companies have shady practices or are outright scams. Scam settlement companies will typically ask for a fee upfront. They then will either do nothing to reduce your debt or will only reduce it very minimally.
If you’re considering working with one of these companies, always do your homework first!
Consider consolidating your debt
When you consolidate your debt, you essentially refinance it. For example, if you get a debt consolidation loan, you use the loan funds to pay off multiple accounts. That way, instead of paying multiple small monthly payments, you can pay a single sum each month. Debt consolidation loans also have lower interest rates than credit cards and most other kinds of consumer debt.
If you own your home, you also may want to consider refinancing your debt with a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan. These tend to have lower interest rates than debt consolidation loans, as they are secured by your home.
Declare bankruptcy as a last resort
Declaring bankruptcy is not a decision you should make lightly. If you declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy (meaning you have a low income and few assets), you should be able to have most of your debts discharged.
If you declare Chapter 13 bankruptcy (meaning you have a higher income and more assets), some debts might be discharged, but bankruptcy will essentially just “restructure” your payments.
If you want to declare bankruptcy, you will need to work with an attorney. It’s a good idea to consult with a bankruptcy attorney so you can discuss the impact bankruptcy will have on your credit and decide whether it’s the right option for you.
We asked an attorney to break down the pros and cons and differences between debt consolidation, debt settlement, and bankruptcy. Watch the video to determine which of these debt relief options would be best for you.
Check the status of your court case in Michigan
Debt lawsuits aren’t exactly fun to begin with. Unfortunately, they’re much more stressful than many people realize. The stakes are incredibly high — if you miss even a single hearing or filing date, you almost certainly will lose by default.
While you (fortunately) don’t go to jail if you lose a debt case in court, you’ll be ordered to pay the debt. That usually means you get a judgment against you.
Under normal circumstances, debt collectors can’t garnish your wages, take and sell your property, or remove money from your bank account. However, once they have a court judgment against you, they can.
Navigating the court system can be challenging, but the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything critically important is to track your case. Often, you can do that online.
In many cases, you can find information on your court case and its developments on the MiCOURT Case Search portal. To access your court records (if they are available online), here’s what you need to do:
- Look up your county court.
- Use Option A to search using your name and date of birth.
- Click “Filter” and add any additional info that may narrow the search.
- Press search and wait for your case to appear.
Not all cases can be found online, so if you don’t see yours, don’t panic! If this happens, you’ll need to visit your local courthouse and ask the clerk to help you find your case records.
Stop wage garnishment in Michigan
The idea of wage garnishment alone can be scary, but the good news is that creditors can’t just start garnishing your wages out of nowhere. Before garnishing your wages, a creditor must first contact you repeatedly about the debt. They then must sue you for it.
If you fail to respond to the notice of the lawsuit or you otherwise lose the case, the creditor may be able to get a judgment against you.
If your wages are garnished, you at least have some protection. Michigan wage garnishment limits are in line with federal limits. Each week, the maximum amount of your wages that can be garnished each week is the lesser of these two:
- 25% of your weekly disposable income
- Your disposable income in excess of 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25)
So, what can you do to stop wage garnishment? Unfortunately, once it starts, wage garnishment is incredibly hard to stop. However, there are many types of income that are exempt from garnishment, including these:
- Social Security income
- Veterans’ benefits
- Disability benefits
- General assistance benefits
- Unemployment benefits
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- Many types of retirement and pension benefits
If you have any of the types of income exempt from garnishment, you must file a petition with the court within 14 days of receiving a notice that your wages will be garnished. The notice should include both this petition and instructions for filing.
Ultimately, the best way to stop your creditors from garnishing your wages is to do all you can to stop the garnishment from happening in the first place.
Michigan Legal Aid Organizations
Michigan has a lot of different legal aid services available to its residents. Please see below for links to major legal aid organizations. These resources can either help with debt collection cases or put you in touch with someone who can help based on your location:
- Michigan Legal Help
- State Bar of Michigan Legal Aid by County
- Michigan Courts Self-Help Center
- Michigan Legal Aid Offices
- Legal Services of South-Central Michigan
- Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
- Legal Services of Northern Michigan
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan
Michigan court locations for debt collection lawsuits
Debt collection lawsuits in Michigan are held in either District or Circuit Courts.
- District Courts handle cases up to $25,000.
- Circuit Courts are for claims above $25,000.
- Small claims courts take cases for less than $6,500; small claims courts are a division of the District Court.
District and circuit courts exist for every county in Michigan, and there can be many locations within a county, depending on its size.
One perk (if it can be called that) to being sued is that you do not need to determine which court is appropriate to file in. Since the creditor started the lawsuit against you, they have already designated a court. That court information, including district/circuit, address, and telephone number, will be on the first page of your complaint. You should also reference the case number in your response paperwork.
Now, if you receive a complaint against you for debt collection and the location of the court seems incorrect, double-check. You can always look up your court location for your residence in the Trial Court Directory.
You can also find all Michigan Court information, locations, and phone numbers here.
File an Answer in your local court in Michigan
Prevent wage garnishment before it happens. Draft and file an Answer in your local Michigan court; find yours below to get started.
- State of Michigan 82 2 Judicial District Court Roscommon County
- State of Michigan 48 Th District Court
- State of Michigan In the 71 a District Court Lapeer County
- State of Michigan 5 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 8 Th District Court Kalamazoo
- State of Michigan 62 B Judicial District Kent County
- State of Michigan Eighty Eighth District Court Montmorency County
- State of Michigan 46 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 20 Th District Court
- State of Michigan 42 2 Nd District Court Macomb County
- State of Michigan 27 1 District Court
- State of Michigan In the 3 B Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan In the 2 a District for the County of Lenawee
- State of Michigan 22 Nd Judicial Circuit Court
- State of Michigan 9 Th Circuit Court Kalamazoo, Michigan
- State of Michigan 36 Th Circuit Court County of Van Buren
- State of Michigan 16 Th Judicial District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan 67 5 District Court
- State of Michigan In the 54 B District Court
- State of Michigan 18 Th Judicial District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan, in the 23 Rd Circuit Court, County of Oscoda
- State of Michigan In the 67 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 64 B Judicial District Court Montcalm County
- State of Michigan 84 Th District Court Missaukee County
- State of Michigan 23 Rd Judicial District Court For the County of Wayne
- State of Michigan 84 Th District Court Wexford County
- State of Michigan 24 Th District Allen Park and Melvindale
- State of Michigan 67 1 St District Court Genesee County
- State of Michigan 6 Th Judicial Circuit Court
- State of Michigan 36 Th District Court
- State of Michigan In the 19 District Court Dearborn City, Wayne County
- State of Michigan 65 B District Court County of Gratiot
- State of Michigan 81 St District Court Arenac County
- State of Michigan 16 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 10 Th District Court for the County of Calhoun
- State of Michigan 3 a District Court
- State of Michigan 53 1 Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 98 Th District Court Gogebic County
- State of Michigan 32 Nd Circuit Court Ontonagon County
- State of Michigan 12 Th Circuit Court Houghton County
- State of Michigan 97 Th District Court Houghton County
- State of Michigan in the 73 B District Court
- State of Michigan 96 Th District Court Marquette
- State of Michigan 96 Th District Court Ishpeming
- State of Michigan 92 Nd District Court Luce County
- State of Michigan 92 Nd District Court Mackinac County
- State of Michigan 91 St District Court Chippewa County
- State of Michigan 67 4 B Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 60 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 63 Rd District Court
- State of Michigan 90 Th Judicial District Emmet County
- State of Michigan 14 a 4 District Court Saline, Mi 48176
- State of Michigan 51 St Judicial Circuit
- State of Michigan 39 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 12 Th Circuit Court Baraga County
- State of Michigan 41 St Circuit Court Iron County
- State of Michigan 95 B District Court Iron County
- State of Michigan 25 Th Circuit Court Marquette County
- State of Michigan 41 St Circuit Court Menominee County
- State of Michigan 11 Th Circuit Court Schoolcraft County
- State of Michigan 11 Th Circuit Court Luce County
- State of Michigan 11 Th Circuit Court Mackinac County
- State of Michigan 50 Th Circuit Court Chippewa County
- State of Michigan 52 3 District Court
- State of Michigan 7 Th Circuit
- State of Michigan In the 37 Th District Court
- State of Michigan 47 Th District Court
- State of Michigan Circuit Court Berrien County
- State of Michigan 54 a District Court
- State of Michigan 97 Th District Court Keweenaw County
- State of Michigan 43 Rd District Court Oakland County
- State of Michigan 52 2 District Court
- State of Michigan 62 a Judicial District
- State of Michigan 43 Rd District Court Ferndale Division
- State of Michigan In the District Court for the 80 Th Judicial District
- State of Michigan Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court
- State of Michigan 81 St District Court for the County of Iosco
- State of Michigan 28 Th District Court
- State of Michigan in the 50 Th District Court for the County of Oakland
- State of Michigan in the 12 Th District Court Jackson County
- State of Michigan 77 Th Judicidal District Court Mecosta County
- State of Michigan 67 2 a District Court Genesee County
- State of Michigan In the 45 Th Judicial District Court Oakland County
- State of Michigan In the 71 B Judicial District Court Tuscola County
- State of Michigan 41 a 1 District Court for the County of Macomb
- State of Michigan 52 1 District Court
- State of Michigan 74 Th District Court Bay County
- State of Michigan In the 85 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 41 a Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan79 Th District Courtoceana County
- State of Michigan In the 89 Th District Court Presque Isle County
- State of Michigan in the 61 St Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan In the 89 Th District Court Cheboygan County
- State of Michigan In the 38 Th District Court Macomb County, City of Eastpointe
- State of Michigan In the 14 B District Court
- State of Michigan, in the 73 Rd District Court
- State of Michigan N the 32 a Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 57 Th Judicial District Court County of Allegan
- State of Michigan 59 2 Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 64 Th District Court for the County of Ionia
- State of Michigan Judicial District 56 a District Court
- State of Michigan 66 Th Judicial District Shiawassee County
- State of Michigan 65 a District Court County of Clinton
- State of Michigan 87 C Judicial District Court Crawford County
- State of Michigan 75 Th Judicial District
- State of Michigan In the 33 Rd District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan In the 42 1 District Court
- State of Michigan 17 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 25 Th District Court Wayne County Lincoln Park
- State of Michigan In the Circuit Court for the 30 Th Judicial Circuit Ingham County
- State of Michigan 34 Th District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan 32 Nd Circuit Court Gogebic County
- State of Michigan In the 58 Th District Court at Holland
- State of Michigan In the 22 Nd Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan 29 Th District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan 12 Th Circuit Court Keweenaw County
- State of Michigan 41 St Circuit Court Dickinson County
- State of Michigan 95 B District Court Dickinson County
- State of Michigan 95 a District Court Menominee County
- State of Michigan 11 Th Circuit Court Alger County
- State of Michigan 93 Rd District Court Alger County
- State of Michigan 47 Th Circuit Court Delta County
- State of Michigan 94 Th District Court Delta County
- State of Michigan 98 Th District Court Ontonagon County
- State of Michigan 70 Th District Court
- State of Michigan 97 Th District Court Baraga County
- State of Michigan In the 41 B Judicial District Court for the County of Macomb
- State of Michigan in the 31 St Judicial District Court Hamtramck
- State of Michigan In the 58 Th District Court At Hudsonville
- State of Michigan 35 Th Judicial District
- State of Michigan 52 4 District Court
- State of Michigan in the 14 a 1 Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan In the 55 Th District Court of Ingham County in Mason
- State of Michigan In the 40 Th District Court Macomb County
- State of Michigan 21 St District Court Garden City, Michigan
- State of Michigan 86 Th Judicial Court Grand Traverse County
- State of Michigan In the 86 Th District Court Antrim County
- State of Michigan In the 58 Th District Court for the County of Ottawa
- State of Michigan In the 4 Th District Court Cass County
- State of Michigan 21 St District Court Wayne County
- State of Michigan 38 Th Circuit Court Monroe County
- State of Michigan In the 44 Th District Court
- State of Michigan 60 Th Judicial Circuit Muskegon County
- State of Michigan 7 Th Circuit Court County of Van Buren
- State of Michigan 3 Rd Judicial Circuit Wayne County
- State of Michigan In the 86 Th District Court Leelanaue County, Suttons Bay
- State of Michigan 67 2 B District Court Genesee County
- State of Michigan in the Circuit Court for the County of Macomb
- In the 87 a Judicial District Court for the County of Otsego
- State of Michigan In the Circuit Court for the 20 Th Judicial Circuit
- State of Michigan 90 1 Judicial District Court Charlevoix County
- State of Michigan 78 Th District Court for the County of Newaygo
- State of Michigan, 15 Th District Judicial District, Judicial Circuit County
- State of Michigan 1 St District Court Monroe County
- State of Michigan 72 Nd Judicial District Port Huron District Court
- State of Michigan 72 Nd Judicial District Marine City District Court
- State of Michigan 93 Rd District Court Schoolcraft County
- State of Michigan 88 Th District Court in and for Alpena County
- In the 48 Th Circuit Court for the County of Allegan State of Michigan
- State of Michigan in the 77 2 Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan in the 7 Th Judicial District Court
- State of Michigan in the 76 Th Judicial District Court County of Isabella
- 44 Th Judicial Circuit Court for the County of Livingston
- State of Michigan 59 Th District Court, Grandville Division Kent County
- State of Michigan, 56 B District Court, Barry County
- State of Michigan in the 2 B Judicial District Court Hillsdale County
- In the 10 Th Circuit Court, Saginaw County, State of Michigan
- State of Michigan 30 Th District Court, Wayne County
- State of Michigan 8 Th Judicial District Court Kalamazoo County
Key takeaways
So, here's how to answer a Summons for debt collection in Michigan.
- Deadline: 21 days or 28 days, depending on how you were served
- Use the SoloSuit Answer form or this Michigan Answer form
Follow these steps:
- Answer the complaint, paragraph by paragraph.
- Assert your affirmative defenses.
- File and serve the Answer.
Answering a Summons does not have to be a complicated or scary process. With the help of SoloSuit, you can preserve your legal rights and even win against debt collectors.

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

