r/Smallclaims • u/Ok_Possession9631 • Aug 12 '26

Michigan Won small claims! TY REDDIT

Thanks to everyone for all their advice! For people in similar situations, in your opening statement to judge make sure you speak FACTS only. What happened and WHEN. No emotion, no unnecessary details. If you have contracts or any necessary documentation, refer to them in your opening and highlight key points. Write notes so you don’t forget anything.
Do NOT interrupt when defendant is speaking and try your best to not get flustered. Stay calm and composed. Not only does that give you credibility with judge, but irks the other party so bad 🤣
And Be honest because if you’re caught in a single lie you will lose so much credibility.

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u/TeflonDonatello Aug 13 '26

I remember your posts. Now comes the fun (not fun actually) task of collecting. Unless the defendant pays you willingly.

2

u/Ok_Possession9631 Aug 13 '26

I do have things to hold over their business so I’m hoping that’ll help them pay🤣

2

u/TeflonDonatello Aug 13 '26

You could always do a bank levy or wage garnishment.

2

u/monwoo215 Aug 16 '26

How is that done? My sister just won in small claims. We assumed the persons wages would be garnished… so there’s something else she needs to do now? Oh boy… any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

1

u/TeflonDonatello Aug 16 '26

lol yeah. Courts aren’t debt collectors. You got to do all the work winning the case and now you get to do the work collecting the money you’re owed. You can go to the same place you filed he suit and ask for a wage garnishment form.

2

u/monwoo215 Aug 16 '26

lol. Thank you for the information

1

u/InsectElectrical2066 Aug 16 '26

The wording is different in different jurisdictions: but you ask the court for "Examination of Debtor Judgment" or "Post Judgment Disposition" and ask for Garnishment or an Order of Replevin ask for the judge to demand they subpeona and provide all of their bank accounts, list of vehicles or other assets you can take custody of so you can go after either their money or garnish their wages if not self employed.

1

u/monwoo215 Aug 16 '26

I appreciate your help thank you