PLEASE HELP

Others will be along shortly to advise you on how to handle this matter. But my suggestion is to send a debt validation letter, certified/return receipt requested, and make sure that you show up for any court dates, you do not want them to get a default judgment on you.

ladybug

Welcome to the Community Brian :D First off, I hope you kept a copy of the letter you sent asking for payments. Take this to court with you, and be sure to answer the summons, and to show up, or they will get a default judgement.

IF the attorney won't set up payments or the CA, the judge will.

Have you sent them debt validation letter? Are you sure that the amounts are correct, and that this attorney/collector is legally able to collect on this? Since it has been passed around, you want to make sure about this

Do you have a court date yet?

You're getting some great advice :) Like Bossy said...the first thing is to make sure that the amount owed is legit. It would make sense that after having your account passed from one to another that the information may not be completely up to date.

If the debt is legit, I have found that most collector firms will accept a 50% lump sum offer.

If you don't have that much, there are many options. First off, what state do you live in?

I would like to welcome you also Brian..

I know you have found the right place to offer you support and advice and hope you find many friends here!

If you have no assets, if you are in a state that doesn't allow garnishment of wages or you have no income there really is nothing they can do to you accept issue a judgement. Later on when you are on your feet, you can then negotiate a settlement.

Law suits are designed to intimidate you into paying, but if you can't pay and you really have nothing ... just wait it out until better times enable you to take care of it.

However, if you are in a position to offer a settlement, you could contact the lawyer suing you and see if they will settle or hire an attorney to negotiate it for you.