Need help understanding my Sallie Mae/SMB Private Education Loan court cases in Michigan — Status conference this Monday and I’m lost (Michigan)

Hey everyone,

I could really use some advice or insight from anyone who’s been through private student loan lawsuits, especially in Michigan. I’m defending myself (pro se) in two separate cases filed against me by SMB Private Education Loan / SMB Private Education Loan Grantor Trust 2022‑B, and I’m completely lost about what happens next.

Here’s what’s been going on:

• Both cases are filed in Wayne County Circuit Court (Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan).

• The plaintiff is represented by Shermeta Law Group (for Sallie Mae/SMB Private Education Loan).

• I’ve filed everything I can: Motions to Set Aside Default, Proofs of Service, and my Answer in both cases.

• But I’ve never actually received any direct communication from the court. Everything I know has come from looking up my name on cmspublic.3rdcc.org.

The “Service” I Received:

When I was supposedly “served,” it was extremely sketchy.

Someone taped a bright neon-green note to my door that said “Call or text Jayden to schedule an appointment to receive your court documents.” There was no case number, no court name, no date. nothing official.

When I finally got the papers, I didn’t understand what to do with them. I thought I’d be contacted by the court next, but that never happened.

Since then, I’ve been checking the court website and noticed a bunch of entries like “Status Conference” but I’ve never received any instructions or hearing notices from anyone.

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Where Things Stand Now:

I just saw that I have a Status Conference this Monday (Oct 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM) for one of the cases. I’ve missed all the previous status conferences because I truly had no idea I was supposed to attend. I thought they were internal scheduling notes or updates.

Now I’m panicking because:

• I don’t know where in the courthouse to go.

• I don’t know what to bring or how to check in.

• I’m terrified they’ll enter a judgment against me if I mess up or don’t show up properly.

• I’ve already filed and paid the Motion to Set Aside Default and uploaded all my documents through MiFILE.

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What I Need Help Understanding:

1. What exactly happens at a status conference for these kinds of cases?

2. Do I need to bring printed copies of everything I filed?

3. How do I know which courtroom or floor to go to?

4. If I haven’t received anything by mail, can I just show up at the courthouse and check in somewhere?

5. What should I expect the judge to ask or say?

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I’ve tried so hard to follow the process.. I even documented that Sallie Mae sent me emails saying my loans were “paid in full” which they turned around and called a glitch and then later accused me of falsely creating these emails. I immediately called them when I received them because I was truly confused as there was no way my loans were paid in full, and this happened a month before I defaulted. After being sued I was communicating with Sallie Mae to get insight and I recorded an escalation manager admitting she tried (and failed) to reverse a charge‑off based off what I was telling her happened, but still, here we are.

I just want to make sure I don’t lose by default because I didn’t understand the logistics.

If anyone has been through this in Wayne County (or any Michigan circuit court) and can tell me what to expect Monday, please help. I’m doing my best, but I’m completely on my own here.

I know i probably should have gotten a lawyer but I couldn’t afford one. I do have a attorney friend who may be able to come to court with me Monday and request the court to allow me more time to try to find counsel, but I’m not sure what to do.

Thanks so much in advance. 🙏