what to ask your lawyer when being sued by credit card company

If you contact the lawyer who has sued you and request a settlement, that lawyer will then ask you to submit a financial statement listing all of your assets, including the location and bank account numbers of all of your bank accounts. If you comply with this request, you have given that lawyer complete access to garnish your bank accounts.

Full Answer

What to do if a credit card company sues you?

Study the complaint carefully for accuracy. Try to negotiate a settlement, if possible. Here’s the bottom line: Credit cards are not play toys that allow mass purchases on the Home Shopping Network. Most importantly, make sure the lawsuit is accurate.

Do you need a lawyer to file a credit card lawsuit?

You have to either hire a lawyer or go to court to file papers within the period of time provided for under the law (a phone call to the credit card company’s lawyers won’t protect you). If the court schedules a hearing, you or your lawyer have to appear in the right place and at the right time.

Who is the suing party in a credit card lawsuit?

The suing party (plaintiff) should be the credit card company or place where you have a bank account (or a company that has purchased outstanding debt that originally belonged to one of these entities). The party being sued (defendant) should be you or a co-signer of the account.

Should you contest a credit card lawsuit or not?

You have legal rights and defenses that you’ll lose by not contesting the lawsuit. Plus, if you fight back in court, your chances of winning the case are much better than you might initially expect. Most credit card lawsuits are brought by debt-buyers who don't expect you to fight back. They win about 95% of cases by default.

How do I respond to a credit card lawsuit?

The 3 Steps to respond to a debt lawsuitRespond to every paragraph in the Complaint. The Complaint includes several numbered paragraphs that lay out the lawsuit against you. ... Assert your Affirmative Defenses. ... File the Answer with the court and the plaintiff.

Can you settle credit card debt after a lawsuit?

You can resolve your debt after the suit is filed by sending a Debt Lawsuit Settlement Letter. After filing your Answer into the case, you should begin the process of negotiating a settlement. Most creditors/collectors want to reach a settlement, and they will often settle for less than the amount you actually owe.

How do you negotiate a debt settlement after being served?

The best way to settle a debt lawsuit is first to file a response, then contact the otherside and make an offer. You can use SoloSuit to respond in just 15 minutes. This gives you the leverage you need to settle. Frequently, people get sued out of the blue by debt collectors.

How likely is a credit card company to sue?

Credit card companies sue for non-payment in about 15% of collection cases. Usually debt holders only have to worry about lawsuits if their accounts become 180-days past due and charge off, or default. That's when a credit card company writes off a debt, counting it as a loss for accounting purposes.

What percentage will credit card companies settle for?

Typically, a creditor will agree to accept 40% to 50% of the debt you owe, although it could be as much as 80%, depending on whether you're dealing with a debt collector or the original creditor. In either case, your first lump-sum offer should be well below the 40% to 50% range to provide some room for negotiation. 5.

Can you go to jail for credit card debt?

The short answer to this question is No. The Bill of Rights (Art. III, Sec. 20 ) of the 1987 Charter expressly states that "No person shall be imprisoned for debt..." This is true for credit card debts as well as other personal debts.

What is a reasonable full and final settlement offer?

It depends on what you can afford, but you should offer equal amounts to each creditor as a full and final settlement. For example, if the lump sum you have is 75% of your total debt, you should offer each creditor 75% of the amount you owe them.

What happens when a credit card company files a Judgement against you?

A judgment gives the creditor the right to use additional collection methods to collect the debt owed to them. For example, if the credit card company proves to the court that you owe $5,000, a court may enter a judgment saying that you owe $5,000 (plus costs and interest).

Can you go to jail for not paying a Judgement?

You cannot go to jail for not paying your debts when there is a judgment against you. You can, however, be liquidated, sequestrated, an emoluments attachment order placed on your salary or your assets attached.

Can credit card companies take your house?

Fortunately, your home is safe from any creditors who do not have a mortgage or lien on it. Credit card companies and other unsecured loan holders can't come and simply take your property or home after missing a few payments. A creditor will first start making collection attempts by mail, phone calls or other methods.

Can I get sued for not paying credit card debt?

In short, yes they can technically sue you. After 180 days of missed credit card payments, your credit card company might do three things: They can charge off the debt without ever filing a lawsuit, most likely because the debt amount is under $8,000 and not worth incurring extra legal fees.

Can my credit card company sue me for non payment?

If you're part of this statistic and struggling to pay your credit card debt, you might be wondering if the credit company can sue you for failed payments. The answer is yes. A credit card company can file a civil lawsuit to recover the debt if you stop making payments.

Why Might a Credit Card Company Decide to Sue?

When you don’t keep up with your credit card payments as promised, there are several ways your credit card company can try to compel you to pay. Your card issuer may call you, write you or bring a third party debt collector into the picture.

How Does a Debt Collection Lawsuit Work?

Debt collection lawsuits can vary depending on your state of residence. But, in general, you’ll receive a summons after the attorney files a complaint in state civil court to initiate the process of suing you.

Find Out If You Qualify For Debt Relief

It’s normal to feel stressed out if someone sues you for unpaid credit card debt. And while it is important to take prompt action, you also want to try to remain calm and keep your situation in perspective.

What to do when you get a credit card lawsuit?

When you get court papers about a credit card lawsuit, you have a choice: take no action, or use the laws to level the playing field. The debt collectors have done everything possible to convince you they have all the power, but that’s not true.

What does it mean to be sued for credit card debt?

Being sued for a credit card debt merely means that someone is claiming you borrowed money, that you failed to pay, that the balance is what they claim it to be, and that you are legally obligated to pay this company. Do nothing, and the court will assume the debt buyer is telling the truth.

How many credit card lawsuits were filed in 2011?

If this were true, however, credit card lawsuits would be far less common than is the case. In fact, there were nearly 200,000 credit card collection lawsuits filed in New York in 2011 alone. Moreover, a report by ProPublica found that these lawsuits accounted for 48% of the court judgments filed in New Jersey in 2011.

Why are credit card lawsuits so common?

Credit card lawsuits are common because they are profitable. Over 95% of consumers do nothing when they receive court papers because they have become convinced that there’s no way to prevent a judgment from being filed against them.

How to get credit card debt information?

Organize any documents you have. Go through your files, bank account records, and old mail to get any information you may have about the credit card debt. Even if you don’t think a document is important, it may contain helpful clues. Get your most recent paystub and tax return.

What happens if you don't file a debt collection lawsuit?

If you don’t do what you’re required to do, the creditor wins a judgment against you. That’s why it’s important to always show up – there’s no legal excuse for forgetting to file papers with the court or for failing to hire a debt collection lawsuit defense lawyer on time.

What do debt buyers do when they buy credit cards?

When a debt buyer purchases your credit card account, the first thing they do is send a letter or make a phone call asking you to make a payment. By the time that happens, you have been getting the regular statements for a few months.

What to Expect When Your Credit Card Company Sues You

The first thing you should know is that the filing of a lawsuit is a civil process. In America, you can not be thrown in jail for not paying a debt.

Options for Responding How to the Lawsuit

Virtually every client that calls the office these days have been served with a lawsuit. Some clients have been served with multiple lawsuits, filed against one or both of the spouses.

Judgment Liens

If a creditor has obtained a judgment against you, that creditor may have also filed a judgment lien, in Texas, this is called an Abstract of Judgement, which causes a cloud on the title of your home. For each of our client homeowners, Erin B.

Requesting a Settlement

If you contact the lawyer who has sued you and request a settlement, that lawyer will then ask you to submit a financial statement listing all of your assets, including the location and bank account numbers of all of your bank accounts. If you comply with this request, you have given that lawyer complete access to garnish your bank accounts.

Declaring Bankruptcy

I strongly believe that considering bankruptcy is the best option in these circumstances. A Waco bankruptcy attorney can discuss the pros and cons of filing bankruptcy to stop these collection lawsuits.

How to Rebuild your credit after a suit has been filed against you

When a creditor files a collection lawsuit against you, it has probably also placed negative reports on your credit report. Erin has found that even if you settle with a creditor, they will not correct those negative reports.

How Erin Shank Can Help

If a credit card company is suing you, the best thing you can do is to learn about your legal rights and options. A knowledgeable Waco Bankruptcy Attorney can review your circumstances and determine the best path forward.

What happens if you don't answer a lawsuit?

If you fail to answer your lawsuit's complaint, the court will enter a default judgment against you. To use a sports analogy, a default judgment is like forfeiting a game. In other words, if you don't file your answer within the time allowed, you lose automatically.

What happens when you are sued?

When you're sued, you will receive a summons and complaint. These documents let you know what you're being sued for, who is suing you, and how much time you have to respond. Your response is called an "answer.". How long you have to file your answer will depend on your state's laws.

How long does it take for a debt collector to send a written notice?

Debt collectors must send this written notice within five days of the first date they have contacted you.

What happens if a collection agency fails to collect a debt?

If a collection agency fails to collect a debt, then the original creditor or the debt-buyer (if the debt has been sold), may hire a law firm to collect the debt. The law firm will likely sue you. When you're sued, you will receive a summons and complaint.

What happens if you wait too long to pay a credit card?

If you wait too long before making a payment, the credit card company may use a collection agency to attempt to collect the debt. The credit card company might give up on you and sell your debt to a debt-buying company. Collection agencies will continuously call you. They will send a lot of collection letters.

What happens if you default on a credit card?

If you fail to make your credit card payments, credit card companies will make your life more expensive by charging late fees and higher interest rates. These creditors will report negative information to the credit bureaus, which will then be entered into your credit history.

Can a debt collector contact you?

The FDCPA forbids debt collectors from contacting you if you have an attorney representing you regarding this debt. The debt collectors must also stop contacting you if you send them a written demand to stop. The FDCPA requires debt collectors to provide you with a written notice informing you of.

What to do if you don't have a defense to a lawsuit?

Even if you think you don't have a defense to the lawsuit, you might want to consult with an attorney to help you understand what you're facing and explain what could happen if you lose the suit.

What happens if a lawsuit isn't filed?

If the party that files the lawsuit isn't the original creditor, it must prove it owns the debt. So, the lawsuit paperwork must include appropriate documentation showing that the plaintiff bought your debt from the original creditor or another entity that previously purchased the debt.

What to say to a creditor about a debt?

If you're unsure of what to say to a creditor or debt collector, you could inadvertently hurt your situation. For example, if the statute of limitations has passed, you could restart it by saying or signing something acknowledging that the debt is valid, or agreeing that you owe the money. You could also revive the statute of limitations if you make a payment on the old debt.

What happens if you don't respond to a lawsuit?

If you don't respond to the suit, the court will most likely enter a judgment against you for the amount the creditor claims you owe. Courts routinely order debtors to pay accrued interest plus court fees, which can exceed the original amount owed. Other harmful consequences can include garnishment of wages, directing your bank to turn over funds from your account, and the seizure of personal property. An attorney can explain the specifics about what might happen in your situation.

How long can a debt collector sue you for unpaid debt?

This deadline is called the statute of limitations. The time limit varies from state to state, but it's generally from three to six years.

What can an attorney do for you?

An attorney can advise you about what you should and should not say (or do) in regards to an old debt. And, if you decide to hire the attorney to represent you in the matter, the lawyer can deal with all communication to and from the creditor or debt collector.

Can you assert lack of standing in court?

Otherwise, you might be able to assert lack of standing —meaning, the party suing you doesn't have the right to collect the debt—as a defense. An attorney can help you figure out if this defense is available in your situation. An attorney can also point out, and raise in court, defenses that you haven't considered.

Do You Recognize The Debt?

The debt in question may not be yours. Credit card companies generally don’t want to take legal action unless you’ve made zero payments for about six months and ignored their calls. A lawsuit is a last resort.

Is This An Old Debt?

After making sure that the debt in question is yours, check to see if it's "time-barred” or too late to sue you. Credit card companies only have a certain amount of time to bring a case in civil court. Depending on state law, this can range between 2–6 years. You’ll want to check your local rules to see what statute of limitations applies.

Other Important Questions To Ask Yourself About The Debt

Did a debt collector harass you while trying to collect this debt? The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) forbids lenders and creditors from engaging in fraudulent and deceptive behavior. They also can’t harass you by:

Have You Filed For Bankruptcy Since You Had This Credit Card?

Credit card debts are discharged at the end of Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. In “no-asset” cases, the trustee cannot take any assets because they’re “exempted” under state law. In cases of non-exempt assets, some of your property can be sold to pay creditors. However, this scenario is rare.

Steps To Winning The Lawsuit

After you've considered the facts and know your defenses, find what type of court will be evaluating your answer or response to the complaint brought against you. In some states, for lower-level small claims courts, checking a box admitting or denying the claim may work for an answer.