Are you struggling to get a debtor to pay? 

Do you know how to build a complete list of their assets?

Winning a judgment in court is a major step — but it's only half the battle. If your debtor isn't paying voluntarily, you need to locate and pursue their assets to actually collect what you're owed. Once you have a clear picture of their assets, you can move forward with strong collection actions like wage garnishment, bank levies, and "execution" (the legal seizure and sale of a debtor's property).

Building an effective asset list doesn't have to start from scratch. Begin by scouring your own collections file for information you may already have about the debtor, including:

• Home and business addresses
• Bank names and account details (checking, savings, and business accounts)
• Information about significant assets, such as real estate, vehicles, boats, and recreational vehicles
• Place of employment (if the debtor is an individual)
• Professional licenses or business ownership interests
• Any known safety deposit boxes

Next, think about third parties who may owe money to your debtor. These are often overlooked but can be valuable sources of collection. Consider:

• Accounts receivable — customers or clients who owe the debtor money for goods or services
• Tenants — anyone who rents property from the debtor and may owe rent
• Insurance companies — claims payouts the debtor may be entitled to, such as fire damage, flood losses, or auto accident settlements
• State taxing authorities — tax refunds owed to the debtor (where permitted by state law; federal tax refunds are currently off limits)
• Purchasers of the debtor's business — anyone who bought the debtor's business and still owes money on the purchase

Include anything that appears to be a possible source of money. If you can identify enough assets to feel reasonably confident you'll be able to collect, great. If not, consider scheduling a creditor's examination — a formal court proceeding where the debtor must appear and disclose their assets under oath.

Even small or unexpected assets can add up. A partial collection is still a collection.

Need More Support? Call Collection Services in Michigan

If you need help tracking down assets or enforcing a judgment, our lawyers can guide you through every step of the process. Get started with our Michigan collection services by calling (248) 645-2440 or by submitting a contact form here.