Author | Lightnews

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Aug 27

"May contractors put a lien on my property, even if they didn't finish the work? ~ From late payments to property access, property owners should read their contracts carefully" bit.ly/46bbwkj

#mechanicslien #commercialproperty #constructionlaw #realestatelaw #homeupgrades #propertyupgrades #homesky

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Aug 7

Is it possible to sell property even though there is a mechanics lien on it? foundationsofconstructionlaw.substack.com/p/commercial... #homesky #homeowners #constructionlaw #contractors #realestatelaw

Is it possible to sell property even though there is a mechanics lien on it?

Yes!

foundationsofconstructionlaw.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 29

"Another reason to hold off on paying your contractor: No sworn statement ~ Why subcontractors should provide a lien waiver to the property owners" foundationsofconstructionlaw.substack.com/p/sworn-stat... #homesky #generalcontractors #homerenovations #homeupgrades #moneymanagement #lawsky

Another reason to hold off on paying your contractor: No sworn statement

Why subcontractors should provide a lien waiver to the property owners

foundationsofconstructionlaw.substack.com

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Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Don’t want to pay your contractor? You most likely have ground to stand on ~ Abandoning your progress payment schedules can be risky" bit.ly/3ISvmYl
#homerenovations #homeupgrades #mikedavislaw #contractlaw #moneymanagement #contractwaivers #mechanicslien #progresspayments #homesky

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Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Written agreements avoid legal disputes over home renovation extras ~ Oral contract vs written contract: Which is better for renovation jobs in Illinois?" bit.ly/3Io5nYN
#homerenovations #homeupgrades #mikedavislaw #illinoislaw #financialplanning #moneymanagement #contractwaivers #MechanicsLien

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Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

In addition to using written change orders, I advise my general contractor and subcontractor clients to adopt (and stick to) a “pay-as-you-go” policy regarding extras.
"Avoid mechanics lien risks by insisting on a pay-as-you-go agreement" bit.ly/43XVEkn
#homerenovations #homeupgrades #MechanicsLien

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

One thing that can be very helpful in avoiding cost overruns during a home upgrade is for the property owner to understand the difference between an “extra” and an “allowance.” tinyurl.com/yc63zbbr
#homerenovations #homeupgrades #mikedavislaw #realestatelaw #financialplanning #moneymanagement

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

A homeowner can personally apply for the permit or hire someone (often a “permit expediter”) to obtain the permit.
"Who pulls permits? Should it be you? ~ Navigating the timeline between getting permits and officially starting a home renovation project" tinyurl.com/5a6wjycr

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

When a student loan is in default, the creditor (the U.S. govt) doesn’t need to get a court judgment before effecting a wage deduction. This is similar to owing back taxes to the IRS, who can place a lien on a home or enforce wage deduction orders. tinyurl.com/44bfpjpf
#studentloandebt #studentloans

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Should I file for bankruptcy if a debt collector won't leave me alone?" bit.ly/3kBuoUJ
Short answer: No!
#bankruptcylawyer #bankruptcyattorney #Chicagolaw #IllinoisLaw #debtbuyer #collectiondefense #chicagoattorney #debtdefense #mikedavislaw

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

Picture endless cubicles of people on the phone trying to collect money for others' debt. It’s got to be miserable to get those calls!
If you have an experienced collection defense attorney, the attorney handles the pressure from the creditor’s law firm. bit.ly/3YfxyeR

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

What makes "lawyers" like Timothy Burnette of Monarch Legal Group questionable?
"Multiple creditors, single debtor, nonstop nightmares" bit.ly/3YXzBVo
#debtbuyer #debtconsolidation #ChicagoAttorney #ChicagoLawyer #ChicagoLaw #debtrelief #debtdefense #mikedavislaw #defensebydavis

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Distinguishing between consumer rights versus consumer debt" bit.ly/3DLrPpG
#consumerdebt #consumerrights #chicagolaw #businesslaw #debt #debtlimit #studentloans #defensebydavis #mikedavislaw #debtdefense

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

By hiring an experienced collection defense attorney, your headache becomes the lawyer’s responsibility. All court dates, court filings and communication w/opposing law firm will be handled professionally and promptly.
What can a dedicated collection defense lawyer do for each client? bit.ly/3Vsz5A9

What can a dedicated collection defense lawyer do for each client?

Step-by-step process for a debt defense lawsuit

bit.ly

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

After a lawsuit is filed, a #debtbuyerdefense attorney makes the debt buyer prove that it owns the debt. If the debt buyer can’t prove that it owns the debt, it has no right to sue anyone.
Here are 10 other things you may want to know about what my firm does.
#chicagoattorney #chicagolawyer

Chicago Debt Defense Attorney Mike Davis | Mike Davis & Associates

Lawyer Mike Davis represents Chicago and St. Joseph, Michigan clients against debt collection, car repo, bankruptcy alternatives.

mikedavislaw.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

For #newhomeowners, buying property for the first time can be overwhelming. It can feel like that pile of Closing Day paperwork will never lower. Here's what Attorney Mike Davis believes #condoowners overlook the most in their paperwork. homegrowntales.substack.com/p/homegrown-...

Homegrown Tales podcast: Meet Mike Davis of Mike Davis & Associates

Step 5 to homeownership: Be willing to admit when you need legal counsel even after closing day and the boxes are unpacked

homegrowntales.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Evidentiary difficulties faced by debt buyers at trial ~ Hearsay versus the business records exception" defensebydavis.substack.com/p/hearsay-law
#hearsay #debtbuyers #indebt #debtdefense #Chicagoattorney #Chicagolawyer #Chicagolaw

Evidentiary difficulties faced by debt buyers at trial

Hearsay versus the business records exception

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

How long is a judgment enforceable in Illinois? The answer used to be 27 years. There were specific points explaining why that is the practical time limit for enforcing a judgment. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/civil-vs-c...

Two classes of judgments, two enforcement periods

The difference between civil judgments and consumer debt judgments in Illinois

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

In the spring of 2023, Semrad Law Firm (more popularly known as DebtStoppers) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Sometimes businesses (just like people, including my clients) run into hard times, or may not have always made the wisest of decisions. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/bankruptcy...

Bankruptcy law firm declares bankruptcy

DebtStoppers files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

I have discussed negotiating a settlement with a mega-creditor. In that scenario, you are not dealing with the average person or business. Those businesses have their own weird way of doing things. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/mega-credi...

The 'algorithm' at work

When my client was sued by one of the largest auto finance companies in existence

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

Mega-companies are not under the constraints of a normal creditor, which needs money to pay its bills. So how do these companies decide the amount for which they will settle the case? defensebydavis.substack.com/p/debt-colle...

Do debt collectors prefer lump sums or payment installments?

How age factors into the creditor's decision to go to trial

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

A lot of my clients lament that big companies suing them don’t care about anything but money. And those clients are right! Bank of America, Chase Bank, Capital One are in the money business. They loan people money, and they want it to be paid back. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/big-money-...

Negotiating about money when the other side doesn’t need money

If you are trying to negotiate your own settlement with a creditor, this piece is meant to enlighten you about a few things and maybe relieve a little of your frustration.

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

Some people in debt will insist on settling a debt collection case on their own — without the help of legal counsel. If the case is a small value and impractical to add on legal fees, this makes sense. That person should keep the following tips in mind. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/the-all-im...

The all-important settlement agreement

The "gag order" part of the debt settlement agreement matters as much as the payoff amount

defensebydavis.substack.com

Mike Davis Law @mikedavislaw.bsky.social · Jul 21

Lately, I’ve been writing about a lot of the technical aspects of defending people who were getting sued in collections cases. Of course, the legal principles, litigation techniques, and economically resolving the case are all important. defensebydavis.substack.com/p/lawsuits-s...

The hard part is done

Lawsuits will never be stress-free but they can be less stressful

defensebydavis.substack.com