Federal Court Dismissed Debt Collection Lawsuit in Michigan
A federal judge ruled a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claim against a law firm was filed past the legal deadline.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Debt Relief
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A federal court has dismissed an FDCPA lawsuit brought against Michigan law firm LeVasseur Dyer & Associates, P.C. The judge ruled that the plaintiff filed the complaint after the expiration of the federal one-year statute of limitations.
Why it matters
This ruling highlights the strict enforcement of the one-year limitations period for federal debt collection claims under 15 U.S.C. §1692k(d). Plaintiffs must ensure their legal filings comply with these federal deadlines to avoid permanent dismissal with prejudice.
The FDCPA provides a strict one-year statute of limitations for filing claims. The plaintiff in this matter initiated the lawsuit three months beyond that federal deadline.
The players
LeVasseur Dyer & Associates, P.C.
This is a Michigan-based law firm that serves as a defendant in the debt collection litigation.
William Smith
He is the plaintiff who initiated the FDCPA lawsuit against the law firm.
The details
The court dismissed the federal claim with prejudice, citing that the filing occurred nearly three months after the one-year window had closed. Related state-level claims under the Michigan Occupational Code and Michigan Regulation of Collection Practices Act were dismissed without prejudice, allowing for potential refiling in state court.
Timeline
September 5, 2024: LeVasseur filed the state court complaint.
September 12, 2024: William Smith was served with process.
December 10, 2025: William Smith commenced the FDCPA lawsuit.
October 4, 2026: The court issued the dismissal order.
Market Dynamics
This case follows a pattern set by 15 U.S.C. §1692k(d) regarding federal filing deadlines. The court's decision reinforces the strict temporal boundaries established by the statute for consumer litigation.
This dismissal limits the legal exposure of the firm regarding federal claims. Consumers should note that failing to meet statutory deadlines can result in the permanent loss of the right to bring a federal lawsuit against a debt collector.
The takeaway
Consumers must track critical legal dates carefully to ensure claims remain actionable. Missing a statute of limitations can lead to the permanent dismissal of federal protections regardless of the underlying evidence.
Further reading
For more information on legal standards for creditors, visit Michigan Debt Relief.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
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