Served with Summons. :(

Sapphire, sorry to hear this happened. Is there any way at all you can pay it by then, is there anyone you can borrow from? I feel your pain, I had this happen with a credit card and they recently tried filed to garnish my wages. If there is no court date on the summons I would call the court house and see what is going on or can you check online? It is not the end of the world even though it feels like it. Most likely the court will let you make payments.

What is it with these people? They always say they have to have ALL the money right away, yet when things progress, there is usually someone in the chain who will let you make payments. Why don't these companies wise up and just work something out from the get-go, they're more likely to get their money and get the matter settled sooner, as well as reducing the stress on the debtor.

sapphiredreams

Have you pulled your credit report recently to see if this is on your file? I would want to make sure they have the legal rights to be collecting on this debt. Also, call the patient accounts department of the hospital you were in, and tell them you need a copy of the patient consent form. Your signature needs to be on that form before you pay any money.

Regards
Mike

.. Not only the credit report must report this legal judgment but the local county should also have the records of this judgment. Check with the local clerk for its accuracy. I am becoming suspicious because there is not court date on the summons. This is not the legal approach. Some attorneys frame the papers in such a way that it gives out a legal impact. However, this does not erase the debt. You still need to work on that and make payment arrangements. If possible try to pay to the hospital directly if the file is still with them.

[quote=keystrokes] If possible try to pay to the hospital directly if the file is still with them.[/quote]

First, she must find out if there is a signed patient consent form. That determines whether or not she owes anything at all.

Regards-
Mike

Thank you everyone for your responses! :)

Mikey, I am calling the hospital right now to find out about the signed patient consent form. Then we will go from there.

sapphiredreams

When asking for this information, just say you need a copy of the patient consent form. You don't have to mention signed, because they will mail you exactly what you ask for. If there is only one consent form, and it's not signed, then you are not held liable for services.

Regards
Mike

This gets even more interesting. The patient account's department had trouble locating my files. The lady said she found an account in my name that is turned over to collection for only 72 dollars and my daughter's for 500 dollars something change.

Will have to look into this more.

Quote:

An update:

The hospital only located TWO accounts that was turned over to collection. One was for 72.41 dollars (that will be paid directly to them on the 24th of this month) and another was 502.34 for my daughter. But still that does not add up to the amount of 1497.34 sued. Judgment against me for 1827.51. I contacted medical records department and they will mail me the authorization to release my records and consent forms. We will go from there. I have to say that the hospital sounds surprised I was sued since they did say they only want to work it out with patients.

Hmmm...thanks to Mikey, I was able to find out more information. Now I have to contact Mutual HOspital Services and find out how the heck they came up with the amount.

Sapphire-I am so sorry to hear about your problems.Mikey gave really good advice.You said the hospital only wants to work out payments?See if they can work with you and be sure to get something in writing and when it is paid,get that in writing too. I paid on a medical bill with my son,through a CA who was also an attorney for a couple of years. I told him I couldn't come up with that money and if forced,I would have to file bankruptcy,I just wanted to pay the bill,and they worked with me. The thing is,there is no date on that thing,and even if they took you to court,a judge would set up payments,too! You can always file hardship if it is going to be too much for you,and they will reduce the payments,if you qualify.Good Luck-prayers your way :D ...Karen

Yes,

Always ask the collector to validate the debts. Just for verification of the true debt.



Because we don't know what these collectors are up to. Some could be out to get themselves a big cut of the money. So they will hike up your bill just to get a profit on the debt that they purchased.



But it seems like you have this problem worked out. Please keep us updated on this situation so we can know how it worked out.