Palisades Collection LLC collecting a debt from me

Don't avoid the court date. They will put a default judgment if you don't show up at the court. When did you last make a payment on the AT&T account? There are loads of posts about this company. Do a search in this forum and you'll know how to deal with them. First make them validate the debt in writing. This will confirm that they have your debt legally. If this account is already past the SOL period from your last payment date, they can't sue you. You need to send a dispute letter mentioning about the expiry of the SOL and show it in the court. The judge will rule in your favor and the case will be closed.

If you can't pay the settlement right away or the balance then your only option I see is to go to court.

Go to court and make them prove it is your debt.Lots of times they will not have enough proof that it is yours.
Do not miss court!!!