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Collections Law/how do i plea on a court summons
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Hello, I have till tomorrow to answer a summons. I owe $1,761 plus $352 lawyers fee. I have no idea what this means or what to do. Please help. I got fired from my job I'm collecting unemployment that will run out in two months, I'm more then willing to pay around $25.00 a month. I have called the lawyer they have not called me back. Should I try to call them again? How do I plead? I own a home can they take that away? What will happen next? What should I do?? Thank You
If you are unemployed they cant touch you anyway although you may want to respond to the summons and ask for reduced interest. Your unemployment is not attachable and you cannot pay out what you don't have.
Whether you fight the case or not it is likely they will get their judgment but that is about as far as it can go if you are not employed. Write a letter to the courts and dispute the amount of the debt and get a hearing. Ask the courts to reduce the debt and/or the interest. When you get to court advise them you are unemployed and cannot afford to pay it. The judge may "stay" any collection action against you for a while. When you get back to work write the creditor a letter and offer them a payment plan you can afford. Do not give in to their demands if you know you cannot afford what they are demanding. Stand tuff and don't be intimidated. The ball is actually in your court at this point. They cant touch you for now.
Worse case is they put a lien on your home but that is just a record with the county you owe moeny against your home. They cannot take your home. Relax you are safe.
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Answers by Expert:
Michael Brotherton
Expertise
Consumer/Debtor Rights Advocate. Mike Brotherton is a negotiator with over 30 years experience in consumer lending and collections. Mike has 30 years in the credit and collections industry as a former loan officer, debt collector and manager of two finance companies over several years. Mike is well versed in Loss Mitigation practices and the legal collection process. He has helped literally thousands of people over many years overcome serious financial problems such as foreclosure, creditor lawsuits and abuse by debt collectors. For more information about resolving your "financial emergency" visit www.financialemergency.com. FinancialEmergency.com is a consumer web site which actively promotes Fair Debt Collection Practices and other consumer protection laws. We teach DEBTOR RIGHTS and enforcement of those rights. The more informed you are of your rights and the credit collections practices of creditors the more peace you can have dealing with your FINANCIAL EMERGENCY. Most financial problems are fairly common and as such have some very common solutions. The key is understanding your rights in the collection process and how to enforce them if need be. Primary business- Debtor Rights Advocacy and Debt Mitigation relating to foreclosure, creditor lawsuits, and other serious financial problems. www.financialemergency.com (copy and paste in browser).
Experience
Over 40 years combined experience negotiating disputes and resolving financial issues related to consumer debt, corporate issues and mortgage modifications.
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