Lawsuit by an attorney who is representing Asset Acceptance

Contact the attorney who sent the letter and go from there. Let them know what you could realistically afford to pay each month. And then they will counter offer and then you go back and forth until you reach an agreement. Just don't make promises on a payment plan you know you won't be able to stick with.

Thanks for the reply. My experience has been that they say their client (Asset)won't accept any small amounts. They want a large lump sum down payment. Or if I want to do payments, they jack up the figure to include interest, fees, etc. which ends up being almost twice the original debt.

Filing a lawsuit will not help the attorney and the collector anyway in getting the full money from you. The judge will understand your situation and frame the payments that you can afford, not what the collectors have put. Keep negotiating with them for a payment plan and settle the matter outside the court.

I have to answer the lawsuit by a 10/24/06 or it will automatically default. I have the papers to answer and a fee waiver since I can't afford court costs. I'm not sure how to complete the answer form.

Is there any free legal advice in your area? Perhaps, you need their assistance because legal papers need to be filled properly after you give the necessary info.

I will look into that.