AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I am a licensed attorney and Judge Pro Tempore who has conducted and been involved in hundreds of mediations and thousands of arbitrations. I can answer questions regarding settlement conferences, mediations or arbitrations. I do not give legal advice over the internet and it would be helpful to list your location such as country or state.
Experience I am a licensed attorney, Judge Pro Tempore and adjunct professor.
Experience in the area I have been a licensed attorney since 1989 and a Judge Pro Tempore since 2005. Additionally, I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics
Organizations State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question we had some trouble paying on a debt last year and got with credit solutions. We were mislead with them and they told us to stop paying on our debt and in four years we would settle our debt with debbt settlement. In January we got a letter from a debt collection firm called Mann Bracken. We tried to offer them a lump some of $12,000.00 and make monthly payments of $400.00 til remaining balance is paid in full, which would of taken a year to do. They said no we had to have it all up front. It has now gone to arbitration. If they are awarded, can they come after our house, freeze checking accounts or garnish wages. Just wish they would just agree to making payments. We could have this paid off in four years, cuz the lump sum is not available anymore.We are in the state of Ohio.
Again, you did not indicate if it is Court Ordered Arbitration, contractual binding arbitration, or a non-binding arbitration. They can garnish wages or force a Sheriff's sale if the arbitration award can be reduced to a judgment by the Court.
I strongly suggest you speak to an attorney in your area to help negotiate the amount and tell you what the possibilities of an arbitration award entail.