Michigan Preliminary Notice (Public Projects) Form

No, it has to be delivered in person or by certified mail. MCL 570.1109 The above response is provided as a courtesy and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

I think your question(s) are way beyond the scope of this website, designed to help with construction lien issues

The issue is has the subcontractor supplied you with a SWORN STATEMENT supporting their invoice? The sworn statement indicates which sub-sub contractors or suppliers have not been paid (if any) and you can withhold payment and pay them directly to avoid liens. MCL 570.1110 states in section 7 (7) After the contractor or subcontractor provides the sworn statement, the owner or lessee may withhold or, upon written demand from the contractor, shall withhold from the amount due or to become due to the contractor or to the subcontractor for work already performed an amount sufficient to pay all sums due to subcontractors, suppliers, or laborers, as shown by the sworn statement, or due to lien claimants who have provided a notice of furnishing under section 109. From the amount withheld, the owner or lessee may directly pay subcontractors, suppliers, or laborers the amount they are due as shown by the sworn statement. If the contract provides for payments by the owner to the general contractor in the normal course of construction, but the owner elects to pay lien claimants directly under this section, the first time the owner elects to make payment directly to a lien claimant, he or she shall provide at least 5 business days' notice to the general contractor of the intention to make direct payment. Subsequent direct disbursements to lien claimants need not be preceded by the 5-day notice provided in this section unless the owner first returns to the practice of paying all sums to the general contractor. As between the owner or lessee and the contractor or subcontractor, all payments made under this subsection are considered the same as if paid directly to the contractor or subcontractor. If an amount is withheld under this subsection from the contractor or subcontractor, the owner or lessee, upon request, shall prepare and provide to the contractor or subcontractor an itemized statement of the sums withheld. If an amount is paid directly to a lien claimant under this section, the owner or lessee shall, if requested by the contractor or subcontractor, provide to the contractor or subcontractor an itemized statement of the sums paid.