Suttell and Associates: How to deal with them?

Guest who is a WA attorney,
Can you tell me if it would be worth my while to file an answer if in fact, it is a legitimate debt? I've talked to the firm that is representing my creditor (not S&A), and they'll do a payment plan if I sign a stipulation to judgement. I'm thinking this isn't such a great idea. They won't send a copy of the stipulation for me to review until after I make an initial payment. Not sure how to proceed. I am in Washington.
Sorry for hijacking this thread on S&J.

WHEN THEY SERVED ME INITIALLY, I SENT AN "ANSWER"
NOW THAT I HAVE A COURT DATE, I NEED TO SEND ANOTHER ANSWER TO THE COURT? AND, CAN IT BE THE SAME ANSWER?

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO SAY. WHAT IS A REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS. HOW DO I RESPOND TO THEIR MOTION?

For the court process see:
"http://www.nedap.org/hotline/court.html"
Keep in mind that it is for New York and may differ in some aspects from your state.

As far as a response to their motion, that would be legal advice and for that you need an attorney.

Several years ago I was in financial distress due to a serious illness that left me unable to work. I was unable to make payments to my Capital One credit card. I received a letter from Suttell & Associates informing me that I had thirty days to contact them about setting up a payment schedule or I would be sued. Fortunately, I had just qualified for a VA disability award. I called Suttell and implemented a payment schedule of 150 dollars a month, to be payed by an automatic withdrawal from my checking account. That was fifteen months ago, which comes to a total of 2,250 dollars, on a balance of what was approximately 2,000 dollars when I began paying. During this time, Suttell & Associates have not sent me any statements no have I received any sort of communication from them. According to my records, my obligation to them has been fulfilled. Yet they are continuing to withdraw money from my account. They are impossible to deal with by phone. No one seems to be willing to give out information. What should I do?

Write them a letter, tell them you have already paid them "x" amount of dollars, and you want a paid in full letter.

Withdraw permission for the withdrawal through your bank (go in, don't call).

Suttell and Ass is sueing me on Capital Ones behalf. I sent a written request to them for a debt validation. It had several things on it that I was requesting. The only thing they sent was the affidavit and a billing statement. I already had those things from them in the original paperwork. They state that this is enough to prove the debt. Is that correct? Or does it matter that I requested other info and they didnt send it?

Unfortunately, the validation law is so vague as to be virtually useless. If they are taking you to court, file a Motion for Discovery, which is where they actually have to *prove* it's your debt.

See the website I mentioned above for more info. Google search your local county civil court for any needed forms and for a referral to Legal Aid, should you not be able to afford an attorney.

Suttell & Associates took over my Cap1 debt as well. I made 3 monthly payments of $200 on the debt but I was not recieving any record of the payment (reciept/statement). I was paying directly to them and should have been paying to the courts. None the less I wrote them 3 letters and called their office and asked if I could recieve some sort of reciept for my past and future payments....no response. I wrote a 4th letter saying I was ceasing my payments until I could get a reciept or statement. They filed their court goodies and with all the fee's they are now collecting $4000, up from $2300 and there is no record anywhere of the $600 I have paid let alone any information that I have ever tried to contact them. Is there any way to talk to the judge or the courts and explain that I had been making payments and I was getting no response/cooperation from Suttell & Associates? I am in the process for filing for bankruptcy but it still upsets me that they pretty much claim that Ive made no effort to pay the debt and contact them.

Of course. Object to their statements as false and provide the evidence with the testimony of its falseness. Then, after the case is over, sue them in Federal court for the FDCPA violation (they cannot lie top you, much less to the court) and collect your $1,000.

karen Hamer is a bitch at ext 107

I'm in the same situation with Sutell & Associates. However, my debt is valid, I am guilty as charged.

I was wondering, though, even after a summons is given, is it too late to contact them and work out payment arrangements and avoid the courts?

Ask them. You can also try to work out a settlement or payment arrangement in court to avoid going to judgment. For pointers see:
"http://www.nedap.org/hotline/settle.html"
It is for New York and so some of the info may vary in small points with your state.

I noticed sutell and associates had made an inquiry on my credit report about a year ago. I tried to call them and left a message but never got a response from them. about a month ago i rec'd a demand in full letter. I shot off a debt validation letter to them rec'd the return reciept and have heard nothing from them. The 30days are almost up and if i don't hear from them what is the next step. I live in washington state and i know that they are not licensed here.
Thanks for any help you can give me!

I had a credit card that S&A took over. What started out at 500.00 has now become just over 3,000 dollars due to fees and such. I know that I owe the debt due to having alot of financial issues a few years ago. Anyway, they had been garnishing me since December of 2008,taking 25% of my earnings. I found out some important info. If you are being garnished in WA State they can only garnish you for 60 days, then they will be able to file another garnishment with the courts(which by the way, yes they do charge fees for every time that they do that). They will stop garnishing you for 60 days then file another over and over again until the balance is paid and you've paid all these court fees (basically its like 60 days on 60 days off). After researching this myself and speaking with S&A a few times, I was advised that I can setup a payment plan after the last garnishment had run its course. I called them and told them that I can pay 100.00 every 2 weeks, which was alot better and easier to manage than the 4-500.00 every month they were taking (I usually get paid 2 times a month). I am very protective of giving my bank info. They wanted to have it autodrafted out of my checking. I said no and that I would send them a money order. They agreed to that.They have not filed another garnishment against me (no more court fees either). I keep my money order receipts and faithfully call them every single time I mail them a payment so I know I have records of dates and times and whom I spoke with. There are a few nice people there but theres one really nasty guy (not saying his name, but you'll know if you talk to him) .Anyway hope that helps.

I was also served a summons and a default judgement against me. I did respond within the 20 days and have 3 letters from there office within the 20 days but did not know I also had to file it with the court. The summons said that I must respond to the complaint by stating my defensde in writing and serve a copy to the undersigned attorney which is Suttell & Associates.