Judgement of Debt by a collector

After only recieving 2 prior letters from a debt collector today i received a judgement of debt scheduled for May 29, 2007 in the amount of 9,400 plus atty fees and court cost. Is there any thing i can do now to try to settle this or is it too late?

You still have time to settle the case outside the court. Call the debt collector and put your payment plans. Send them what you can afford now. They will sound pushy in the beginning and will not accept your money. But if you are sending a realistic amount, they have to accept it and post on your file. Get the deal in writing.

What would be a realistic amount to try to settle this debt in your opinion? I only remember the debt being $5,000 at most now they say it is $9,400. Any help you can give me would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks

First get the break down of the total from the collection agency. You should be aware of how they reached to that total and the charges included. Review any errors in the total amount and dispute. Then, see how much you will be able to afford on this debt and put your proposals. Remember, you have to come up with a suitable arrangement before it gets too late and court date is already set.

So do I send them a letter of validation? I already, months ago, sent them a letter to try to settle this with monthly payments or a lump sum. I never heard back from them until being served with this court date. I'm at a loss now. Do I send another letter trying to settle this debt with them? Again thanks.

Yes, you should! Because you need to know the actual standing of your account before sending a payment. If they deny giving you the details, show your DV letters to the judge and explain that the collector didn't reply to your request. Have you checked with the clerk of the local county about this case? Sometimes, many collectors issue fake legal papers to scare people and recover their money faster. Verify about this case with the court clerk.

Well i am assuming it IS legit since i was served by a uniformed officer and had to sign to recieve what look like legit court papers (including court date). I just don't understand why they won't work with me, had they from last time i sent them a letter i could have a big portion paid off by now. So, if i'm understanding correctly i should send a letter of validation of the amount owed then try to resolve this after i hear back? Thank you so much for all your help.

Just to make sure that you don't miss any chances of negotiating for a lower amount, pay a small amount towards the debt account and then ask for the latest account statement in writing. You should be able to dispute any entry if shown incorrectly.

Guess i'm really being a pain here but what small amount would appropriate? A couple of hundred or a couple thousand? I really wanna take care of this but NOT in the amount they say, that i KNOW i do NOT owe that much. Thanks again

You have to make sure this is your debt, and if the amount is correct, and also if it is out of the SOL. If you make a pyament, it will start the SOL clock up again, however, if it is in the SOL, you still need to make sure this is a valid debt and amount. I would go ahead and send the DV letter asap, and see what figures they come up with..Good Luck..KAren

I was told I had a judgement in another state against me and my wages were going to be attached at a place I never worked at or heard of. I have lived outside of that state for the last 5 yrs. When I contacted this "lawyer" debt collector, and asked who was suing me, it was met with complete rudeness, and I was told "i had enough time to respond, and they didn't need to provide me with any information. I never heard from any court. Now they say they have some judgement against me, (docket number quoted and amount of 2000 plus) I refuse to deal with them as I've been dealing with a long term illness and cannot afford the stress.
How can they get this judgement, and wouldn't it just be against the fictious place of employment they quoted? Since I've lived no where near that state, what if any can they attempt to do now?

Zelda, contact the county clerk in the state where the judgement was issued, ask them when and where you were served. You can have this judgement overturned for improper service. You have to be sued in the county and state where you reside.

thanks so much for the info. Does this mean they'd have to sue me here in Florida? I will contact the Jersey clerk, It didn't seem right that I recieved nothing but the letter from them. I'd think I should have had a notice from the court. I still have nothing from the courts. No notice to appear, or a notice of judgement against me. I'm thinking this Pressler and Pressler is running a scam against me. Do I have legal recourse if this is true?

thanks so much for the info. Does this mean they'd have to sue me here in Florida? I will contact the Jersey clerk, It didn't seem right that I recieved nothing but the letter from them. I'd think I should have had a notice from the court. I still have nothing from the courts. No notice to appear, or a notice of judgement against me. I'm thinking this Pressler and Pressler is running a scam against me. Do I have legal recourse if this is true?