dealing with Zwicker and assoc.
Date: Fri, 08/14/2009 - 11:00
I recieved a certified letter today from the Clerk of Courts (cincinnati, oh,) alerting me that a complaint has been filed against me by American Express, via Zwicker as their law firm.
I do not dispute my $5,769 debt. However, legitimate circumstances have rendered me unable to pay this debt in full. I have contacted Zwicker and Associates, and they have offered a few "options':
1. Settle for $3500 lump sum payment.
2. Make payments, but lose my chances of lower settlement.
3. Go to court and accept the Default Judgment.
I guess I am hoping for some guidance as far as what my next step should be.
Do I need to consult an attorney?
Can you settle the account by paying lump-sum? If not then you m
Can you settle the account by paying lump-sum? If not then you may consider the second option. IMO a judgement on the credit report would look more ugly than a settled account.
Did Zwicker ever validate the cebt? I would try to make a payme
Did Zwicker ever validate the cebt? I would try to make a payment arrangement. Make sure that you get it in writing, on their letterhead. A court case would not be a "default" judgement, unless you don't show up. If you cannot reach a payment arrangement, then you may not have any choice but to accept the judgement. Do you have other debts that you are paying on, or have defaulted on? If there are other potential collections out there, then you have to consider all of your options. However, a payment arrangement would probably be in your best interest as long as you can afford the payments that they will accept.
