Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Use of Private Collection Agencies

by Karen Flores, Hotline Attorney Recently, the IRS has announced that it has initiated a new private debt collection program. The IRS has hired four private debt collection agencies to collect some longtime unpaid federal tax debts. Collection action will begin spring 2017. The four collection agencies are: CBE Group of Cedar Falls, Iowa Conserve of Fairport, New York Performant of Livermore, California Pioneer of Horseheads, … Continue reading Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Use of Private Collection Agencies

elderlawofmiJune 2, 2017June 8, 2017Leave a comment

FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, senior independence, seniors, Tips

Stop calling me!

by Ellen Mason, Hotline Attorney If bill collectors are bugging you remember: you do not have to talk to them. Federal law lets you demand that a bill collector stop calling you. So the next time a bill collector calls and you don’t want to talk to him or her say “Stop calling me!” The bill collector must not call you again except (1) to … Continue reading Stop calling me!

elderlawofmiOctober 18, 2016November 22, 2016Leave a comment

FYI, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, MiCAFE, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence, taxes, Tips

Don’t Have to File a Michigan Income Tax Return? Maybe You Should Anyway

by James Michael Curcio, Hotline Intern Many older Americans count themselves among the 45% of taxpayers who do not pay federal income tax, either because their income is too low or because their income is not taxable. While not owing federal taxes does not necessarily mean you do not owe state taxes, it is likely that if you are not filing a federal return, you … Continue reading Don’t Have to File a Michigan Income Tax Return? Maybe You Should Anyway

elderlawofmiJune 3, 2016Leave a comment

FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, seniors

I am 65 and stuck with student loan debt. What do I do?

by Jadranko Tomic-Bobas, Managing Hotline Attorney Over the last decade, outstanding student loan debt has nearly tripled with the current total is $1.3 trillion. Households with a net worth of less than $8500 hold more than 60%. More than 3 million Americans ages 50-64 are in default on their student loans. According to data compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Americans 50 and older … Continue reading I am 65 and stuck with student loan debt. What do I do?

elderlawofmiMay 3, 2016Leave a comment

Three women, three generations. Happy and smiling.

Caregivers, FYI, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence

Steps To Take When Becoming A Caregiver

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the second in our series on caregivers. In our previous post, we provided questions to help you determine whether you are a caregiver. In this post, we will discuss the steps to take when becoming a caregiver and the resources that are available to help make caregiving manageable. The Legal Hotline receives several calls each week … Continue reading Steps To Take When Becoming A Caregiver

elderlawofmiApril 14, 2016Leave a comment

FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, seniors, taxes

Tips on Whether to File a 2015 Tax Return

by Darling Garcia, J.D., Director of Operations April 18, 2016 is just around the corner. Most people file a tax return because they have to, but even if you don’t, there are times when you should. You may be eligible for a tax refund and not know it. Here are six tips to help you find out if you should file a tax return: General … Continue reading Tips on Whether to File a 2015 Tax Return

elderlawofmiMarch 7, 2016March 7, 2016Leave a comment

Senior with a concerned look on his face.

FYI, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence

Should I take a Lump Sum Pension Payout?

by Sandra Wisnewski, J.D., Director of the Mid-America Pension Rights Project Since 1998, the Mid-America Pension Rights Project (MAPRP) has been assisting clients with pension issues. One question that we frequently receive is whether or not to take a lump sum payout of a pension benefit. Some employers offer a one-time lump sum payment in lieu of a traditional life-time annuity option. This option can be a … Continue reading Should I take a Lump Sum Pension Payout?

elderlawofmiFebruary 18, 2016Leave a comment

Money and Finances, taxes, Uncategorized

Applying for the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit

by Daryl Thompson, J.D., Hotline Attorney Are you in a financial pinch? The Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit may provide you with valuable compensation that you have missed. Michigan seniors seem to be missing out on a valuable resource. Many seniors do not file their yearly income taxes because they do not owe any income taxes. This could lead to them not claiming the Homestead Property Tax … Continue reading Applying for the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit

elderlawofmiFebruary 17, 2016February 17, 2016Leave a comment

FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

3 Considerations for Seniors this Tax Season

by Michael Wendel, Administrative Specialist Many seniors are not required to file a tax return due to their income status. Yet, seniors can still be eligible for Michigan tax credits, such as the Homestead Property Tax Credit or the Home Heating Credit, which can be filed separately from a tax return. By not filing for these credits, seniors could be missing out on these and other assistance credits, which otherwise could help reduce … Continue reading 3 Considerations for Seniors this Tax Season

elderlawofmiJanuary 25, 2016Leave a comment

fraud, Money and Finances

Lottery Scams over the Phone

by Miles Morley, MiCAFE Community Partner Liaison This is part six of a recurring series on the most common types of fraud reported in the Consumer Sentinel Network’s 2014 Data Book for the State of Michigan. The fifth most common fraud category for the state of Michigan is that of prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries fraud. The Consumer Sentinel Network’s 2014 Data Book defines these frauds as … Continue reading Lottery Scams over the Phone

elderlawofmiAugust 3, 2015August 3, 2015Leave a comment