Summary: Are you a Connecticut resident facing a debt collection lawsuit? If so, we invite you to respond to that lawsuit with the help of SoloSuit. Our automated service will make responding to the lawsuit and protecting your rights easy.
Did you hear about the debt collector who went to a mind reader? — There was no charge.
That's right. Debt collectors are those aggressive types who do not have a whole lot going on upstairs. So, if you push back a little by responding to a debt collection lawsuit, you might find that the debt collector will back off pretty quickly. That is good news for you.
When faced with a debt collection lawsuit, many people ignore it in the hopes that the debt collection problem will go away. But, trust us, ignoring a debt collection lawsuit won't help you in the long run. In fact, the more you avoid the issue the higher your debt, and the lower your credit score, will be. So, let SoloSuit give you a helping hand.
In this article, we will discuss how to answer a summons for a debt collection lawsuit in the State of Connecticut. As you will see, it is not that difficult, and it will really help you get rid of that debt collection cloud that you may be carrying with you.
Table of Contents
- Deadlines
- Connecticut Answer to Summons forms
- Filing fees
- Steps to Respond
- Connecticut statute of limitations
- Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
- Connecticut legal aid
- Find debt relief in Connecticut
- Check court case status
- Stop wage garnishment in Connecticut
- Connecticut debt collection laws
- Key Takeaways
- Guides for Other States
Connecticut Deadline for Answering a Debt Collection Summons
Connecticut law allows you 30 days to answer a lawsuit. That is 30 days from the “return date” that is printed on the summons you receive.
Filing an answer is actually not that difficult, and it is worthwhile given the alternative. If you do not respond to a debt collection lawsuit, then the court will assume that the debt collector should win.
As a consequence, the court will enter what is called a “default judgment” against you. That means that you owe the debt stated in the debt collector's lawsuit. Worse still, the court will add additional money to your outstanding debt by tacking on attorney's fees and interest.
That is all to say that it is better to answer a debt collection lawsuit, rather than ignore it. Answering a suit is not that difficult, and it saves you from automatically losing the case. Don't forget that you need to make sure that you respond within 30 days.
Connecticut Answer to Summons Forms
In Connecticut, there are two documents that you need to send to the court in order to respond to a debt collections lawsuit. Those documents are as follows:
- An “Answer,” and
- An “Appearance.”
To make things easier, there are online forms that you can fill out, making those two documents very easy to create. Where can you find those fillable forms online? You can find them in two places:
First, you can use the answer and appearance forms provided by SoloSuit. They are created especially for lawsuits in the State of Connecticut. They are, without question, the easiest and most user-friendly forms you can use to answer a debt collection lawsuit in Connecticut.
Second, you can use the forms provided by the Connecticut court system. They are available by clicking below:
SoloSuit's form is easyRemember, you must file both forms to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Connecticut. If you file only one and not the other, there is a chance the court could enter a default judgment against you.
Why use the forms above? The court system in Connecticut, like all other states, has very specific rules regarding what information needs to be included when answering a complaint. So, using the forms above will make sure that you are abiding by all of those specific rules. SoloSuit makes sure you comply with Connecticut rules.
Answer Filing Fees for Connecticut
Luckily, there is no filing fee when answering a lawsuit in Connecticut.
Follow these 4 steps to respond to a Connecticut summons for debt
When a debt collector sues you in court, the collector must send you two documents, (i) a Summons and (ii) a Complaint. If you have been sued, then you have probably already received those two documents.
The Summons is just a fancy way of putting in writing that the debt collector (the “plaintiff”) is officially notifying you of the lawsuit.
The other document — the Complaint — is what the plaintiff uses to lay out all of the facts surrounding the debt collection case. In the Complaint, you will see a lot of legalese. Do not get worried. It is just a lot of jargon that essentially states that you owe a certain amount of money, and explains why the plaintiff thinks you owe that money.
So, when you get a Summons and Complaint in the mail, you know that the Summons is just notifying you of the lawsuit, and the Complaint lays out all the facts that the plaintiff must prove to get a judgment against you.
Once you receive the lawsuit, the “ball is now in your court,” as they say. As mentioned above, if you do not respond to the lawsuit, then you will automatically lose the case. In addition, the court will enter a default judgment that says that you owe the money (plus fees and interest) that the plaintiff says you owe.
So, you are better off responding to the lawsuit. Accordingly, there are two ways to respond, either by filing a “Motion,” or filing an “Answer.” You will want to respond with an Answer in this context, particularly if you are representing yourself. And remember, you have 30 days in which to file that Answer. So, don't wait too long.
In responding to a debt collection complaint with an Answer, there are four basic steps you need to go through. They are as follows:
- Create the Answer document;
- Provide an answer to each issue in the complaint;
- Assert your affirmative defenses; and
- File one copy of the Answer document with the court, and serve one copy on the plaintiff.
No need to worry if you are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point. We are now going to go through each step in some detail so it is easy to understand.
1. Create an Answer document
Before you can get to the nitty gritty of telling the court all the reasons why you do not owe all the money that the debt collector says you owe, you need to make sure that you give the court some basic contact information.
The good news is that the Summons and Complaint has most, if not all, of the information that you need to put into your Answer document. That information includes the following:
- Your personal contact information. Your name, address, and (if applicable) your attorney's name and address;
- The contact information for the plaintiff. The name of the attorney suing you, the name of the company or other debtor suing you, and other information.
- Information about the court. The name of the court in Connecticut where the lawsuit was filed, the court's address and other contact information.
- Case identifying information. Every case has a case number (sometimes called a docket number, civil number or index number), and the debt amount at issue, among other important pieces of information.
All of this numerical and identifying information might seem like overkill, but it is very important so that the court can move your case forward properly. As noted, it should not be difficult to provide the information above because you will find it all in the Summons and Complaint that you received from the plaintiff.
2. Answer each issue of the Complaint.
Once you have created the Answer and put in all of the necessary case information, it is now time to tell the court whether the facts stated in the Complaint are true or false. Indeed, the response is called an “Answer” because you literally need to “answer” everything stated in the Complaint.
The important thing to remember, though, is that you do not need to spend lots of time writing out a long narrative to respond to the Complaint. Rather, all you need to do is tell the court in your Answer whether you “Agree” or “Disagree” with the information in each of the numbered paragraphs in the Complaint. If you don't know enough to agree or disagree with the information in a certain paragraph, then you can also answer a paragraph by saying “Do Not Know.”
It's that simple. For every paragraph you see in the Complaint, you simply say “Agree,” “Disagree,” or “Do Not Know.”
SoloSuit walks you through this process to make it easy.
Keep in mind that debt collectors try to be tricky. They may put in facts that are both true and untrue in a single numbered paragraph. In those cases, the best option is to say “Disagree” for a paragraph that might have a mix of true and false information.
3. Assert affirmative defenses.
Once you have had the opportunity to respond to each of the plaintiff's statements in the Complaint, it is now your turn to give your side of the story. In short, you can now assert your “affirmative defenses,” which is another way of saying that you can tell the court why you do not owe the money the plaintiff says you owe.
While at this point you may be inclined to give a long statement about your situation with regard to the debt, keep in mind that “brevity is bliss.” So, try to keep it simple and brief. To that end, here are some common affirmative defenses that you can, and should, include in your Answer when appropriate:
- The debt is connected to an account that is not yours.
- You do not owe on the debt, because the associated contract has already been terminated or canceled.
- The plaintiff waited too long to sue, so the “statute of limitations” has already run out. (For more information about the statute of limitations, see below).
- You already paid off the debt.
- The creditor has excused you of the debt.
- You have paid part of the debt.
- You are liable for the debt as a co-signer on a contract, but you were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.
- The complaint is missing paperwork because it does not include the actual contract (such as the initial credit card agreement) on which the debt is based.
There are other affirmative defenses available, but the above are the most common. Please note that, unfortunately, your inability to pay a debt is not an affirmative defense that can be put into an Answer.
4. File the answer with the court and serve the plaintiff.
You are almost done, and this is the easy part — mailing the Answer. Here are the steps to properly file and serve the Answer (and the Appearance document, since Connecticut requires that as well).
- Step 1 - Make two copies of the Answer paperwork.
- Step 2 - Send the original (the one you signed) to the court.
- Step 3 - Mail a copy to the plaintiff's attorney.
- Step 4 - Keep the second copy for your records.
What are the correct addresses? The address for the plaintiff's attorney should be included with the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. The address for the court may be on the Summons and Complaint, but if not, use this guide to Connecticut courthouses to find the correct address.
SoloSuit files your Answer for you so you don't need to buy a printer or go to the post office.
Let SoloSuit help you through the process
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.
SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that will ask you all the necessary questions to complete your answer to a complaint. When finished, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts. Or, even better you can pay SoloSuit a small fee to file it for you, and also have an attorney review the document.
>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance
The statute of limitations on debt in Connecticut sets a deadline for collectors to sue
Generally, the statute of limitations for credit card debt, and for other written contracts, is 6 years in the State of Connecticut. That means that a company or individual has 6 years to sue on a debt. If a debt collector fails to try to collect a debt within 6 years, then he loses the ability to collect at all. For more on statutes of limitations, read this.
Please note, however, that there may be a different statute of limitations period for other types of debt. See the table below:
| Debt Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 6 years |
| Medical | 6 years |
| Student Loan | 6 years |
| Auto Loan | 6 years |
| Mortgage | 6 years |
| Personal Loan | 6 years |
| Judgment | 20 years |
| Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 and § 52-598> |
SoloSuit helps you assert the statute of limitations
Connecticut legal aid organizations help consumers like you
There is legal help out there if you need it in connection with a debt collection lawsuit. Contact the following for more assistance:
Connecticut Legal Aid
62 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
Phone (860) 344-0447
Fax (860) 346-2938
Connecticut Legal Services
1290 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 3A,
Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109
Each creditor, whether a large enterprise or small company, must follow Connecticut's fair debt collection practices. Even if you owe a debt, you have a right not to be harassed by debt collectors. If you think that a collector has violated your rights, then you should speak to an attorney about possibly adding a counterclaim when you answer a lawsuit. There are some ways you stop a harassing collector from calling you and avoid getting debt collector calls from blocked numbers.
Find debt relief in Connecticut.
You’re not alone if you are a Connecticut resident struggling with debt. A high state tax rate, increasing property taxes, and inflation, combined with a high cost of living in Connecticut, create the perfect storm for excessive debt.
World Population Review ranks Connecticut as having the eighth highest cost of living in the U.S. Housing costs in Connecticut have also climbed by 20%, leaving many having difficulty making ends meet.
If you’re being sued by a Connecticut debt collector, make sure you know your rights.
Federal rights for Connecticut consumers
The federal government enacted the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) to protect consumers from abusive debt collector practices. The act protects consumers from harassment, such as:
- Phone calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Repeated phone calls throughout the day for the purpose of harassment
- Making threats against your person, property, or reputation
- Abusive language
- Misrepresent themselves as attorneys when they’re not.
If you feel that a debt collector has violated your rights under the FDCPA, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Better Business Bureau.
Connecticut laws for debt relief
Connecticut has enacted several laws to protect the rights of consumers. If a default judgment is placed against you, CT law protects certain items of value. Examples include:
- $75,000 of the value of your home
- $3.500 of the equity in an automobile
- 75% of your net income
Statute of limitation laws limit how long debt collectors have to pursue action against you. The statute of limitations on debt varies by the type of debt, but for most debts in Connecticut, it is six years.
Once the statute of limitations has expired, the debt becomes time-barred–meaning you can no longer be sued for the unpaid debt. However, debt collectors can continue to pursue you in an attempt to get you to pay the debt even after the statute of limitations has expired.
Options for debt relief in Connecticut
There are three options for debt relief in CT: debt settlement, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy. Deciding which one is right for you will depend on your unique circumstances. Let’s explore your options.
Debt settlement
Debt settlement allows you to settle some of your debts for less than you owe. While this can result in a hit to your credit report, it can be one of the fastest ways to get your debt under control.
Consumers have the option of working with a debt consolidation company, which charges fees based on the amount of debt settled, or settling debts on their own. If you want to remain in charge of how your debts are settled, visit SoloSettle, which leverages technology to help you craft debt settlement letters and debt settlement agreements.
Debt consolidation
Debt consolidation involves taking out a loan to pay off your creditors, preferably at a favorable interest rate. The result is a single monthly payment, which can reduce the stress of juggling multiple debt payments and remove the stress of dealing with a barrage of calls from creditors about late payments.
While debt consolidation can be a good way to manage debt, be careful. Some debt consolidation loans come with extraordinarily high interest rates or hidden fees that can result in you paying more than you would have paid to your original lenders. If you’re working with a debt consolidation firm, please ensure they’re reputable. Make sure you read all your loan documents before signing.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy should always be the last resort. Chapter 7 bankruptcy erases most types of consumer debts, but you must meet certain income requirements to file, and it stays on your credit report for ten years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy results in partial forgiveness of some debts but structured repayment for others. It remains on your credit report for seven years.
With bankruptcy on your credit report, you will find it difficult to find a landlord who will rent to you, find a lender who will finance a vehicle without exorbitant interest rates, and you will likely be unable to take out a mortgage. In some circumstances, it can even impact your employment eligibility. Bankruptcy can be portrayed as the easy way out when, in reality, it’s a decision that will stay with you for years into the future.
Find your Connecticut court case online.
You can visit the clerk of court if you know where your case was filed. However, Connecticut makes it even easier to find out if someone has sued you and get the information about the case. You can use the links below to find your case online.
- Connecticut Judicial Branch online search tool
- PACER for U.S. District Courts
You’ll need at least some of the following information to find your case.
- The names of the parties to the lawsuit
- Case Name
- Docket Number
- Attorney for plaintiff
Connecticut court structure
The Connecticut judiciary system has four levels:
- The Supreme Court is the highest-level court in the state, with a chief justice and six assistant justices.
- Appellate court–reviews disputed decisions from the Superior Court.
- Superior Court–this is generally where debt collection lawsuits will appear. The Superior Court hears civil cases with no monetary limit and also consists of the Small Claims Courts, which hear cases with a value up to $5,000.
- Probate Court–deals exclusively with probate matters.
Why it’s crucial to keep track of any pending court case
It’s crucial to know if you have a court case against you and the status of the case. If you fail to attend any part of the case, the plaintiff can ask the judge to issue a default judgment. The consequences of a default judgment could result in a catastrophic loss of income, wages, savings, and property. Filing an Answer in response to a Summons protects your standing in the case and gives you time to negotiate a settlement, dispute the debt, or come to another resolution.
If you didn’t receive a copy of the Summons but suspect that a lawsuit may have been filed against you, do your research to find out whether you’ve been sued or not. You can’t ignore a lawsuit and hope it goes away. If you fail to respond, the plaintiff will likely pursue a default judgment, which can result in loss of property, equity, and wage garnishment.
Stop wage garnishment in Connecticut
A creditor must win a judgment against you to garnish your wages. That’s why it is crucial that you file an Answer if you are sued by a debt collector. When you’re struggling with debt, it can feel like you're losing the battle to keep your head above water. Facing a wage garnishment may seem like all it would take for you to drown in debt.
Wage garnishment laws in Connecticut
Every state establishes its own policies for wage garnishment. Connecticut has some of the toughest wage garnishment laws in the country. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a, wage garnishments are limited to the lesser of:
- 25% of your disposable earnings
- The entire amount of your disposable earnings exceeds 40 times Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is $15.69 per hour
Disposable earnings are your bring-home pay after required withholdings such as federal and state taxes.
Income from disability insurance, Social Security, unemployment, and workers’ compensation are exempt from wage garnishment in CT.
How to stop wage garnishment in CT
It’s always surprising how fast debt can spiral out of control. Being proactive by contacting your creditors before they take legal action can help you avoid wage garnishment. Creditors may work with you and allow special payment arrangements to help.
You will need to be honest with your creditors by letting them know what the problem is and providing an honest assessment of the type of help you need. For example, if you lost your job, the creditor may be able to waive late fees on payments and give you 90 days to resume payments. However, whether or not to work with you regarding past-due debts is entirely up to the creditor. In the event you do end up involved in a lawsuit, keep copies of all correspondence with debt collectors, including taking notes while talking to them on the phone. This information could be vital in helping you favorably resolve a lawsuit.
When you don’t communicate, creditors will begin to call, text, and send letters. If they receive no response, then they may pursue legal action, which could result in wage garnishment.
Another alternative is to pursue debt settlement. Debt settlement happens when you reach out to a creditor or debt collector and offer to settle the debt for a percentage of the debt owed. Many people use debt settlement companies. However, you should know that this can have a substantial impact on your credit score and that these companies charge a fee based on the percentage of debt settled.
You can manage debt settlement offers on your own with the help of a tool like SoloSettle. SoloSettle helps you draft a debt settlement offer, track negotiations, and send a debt settlement agreement when you’ve agreed on the final amount.
Bankruptcy may be the nuclear option to avoid a wage garnishment. However, it is important to note that some debts, such as past-due child and spousal support, cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.
Connecticut’s debt collection laws
Collection agencies aren’t exactly known for their stellar reputations or fair treatment of consumers. As a result, both the state and federal governments have enacted laws to regulate their treatment of consumers. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that regulates what debt collectors can and cannot do.
The Fair Debt Reporting Act governs how debts can be reported on a credit report and protects consumers' rights to dispute inaccurate information.
In addition, Connecticut has enacted state laws to protect consumers’ rights from predatory collection practices.
Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act
The Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act, outlined in C.G.S.A.§ 36a-645 through 36a-648, protects consumers from debt collectors' deceptive actions, harassment, and abuse. The law closely follows the FDCPA.
In addition to the harassment outlined in both state and federal law, debt collector laws such as the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act also prohibit debt collectors from using deceptive actions such as:
- Misrepresenting themselves as an attorney or law firm representative when they’re not
- Implying that they represent the state or federal government when they do not
- Refusing to identify themselves or the name of the collection agency
- Using templates, letterhead, or other tools that appear to be legal documents but are not
- Failing to inform the consumers of the current legal status of the debt
If you’re being harassed by a debt collector employing deceptive tactics, report them to the FTC and the Office of the Attorney General in Connecticut.
Penalties debt collectors face when breaking the law
Once you file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office, the courts may decide to award you damages.
C.G.S.A. § 36a-648 states that a debt collector who violates the law can be held liable for actual damages to the consumer and additional penalties of up to $1,000 per offense. The court can also order the debt collector to pay your attorney's fees and court costs.
If you’ve been abused by a debt collector in Connecticut, act quickly. The statute of limitations for violations of the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices is one year.
Connecticut collection agencies must be licensed.
Under state law C.G.S.A. § 36a-801, collection agencies that attempt to collect debts from consumers must have a consumer collection agency license issued by Connecticut.
If you're contacted by a debt collector, ensure they’ve provided their consumer collection agency license number. If they didn’t provide the number, include the request for that number in your Debt Validation Letter.
Connecticut is one of many states that require debt collectors to be licensed. Take action against unlicensed debt collectors and use it to your advantage when negotiating the debt.
Key Takeaways
You now have the basic tools to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Connecticut. Keep in mind these five important takeaways:
- You have 30 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit, so don't wait too long.
- Take advantage of SoloSuit to walk you through the process of completing the Answer, or be sure to use the Answer form provided by the Connecticut courts, included above.
- Don't forget to also file the Appearance form along with your Answer.
- With your Answer, make sure that you:
- Respond to each numbered paragraph in the complaint;
- List all of your affirmative defenses; and
- Don't forget to file the original with the court, send a copy to the plaintiff, and keep a copy for your records.
Good Luck!
How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states
Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Debt collector guides
Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We're making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.
- 11 Charter Communications
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- Asset Recovery Solutions
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- Atlantic Credit and Finance
- Avante USA
- Atradius Collections
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- Autovest LLC
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- Bluebonnet Financial LLC
- Bonneville Collections
- Brock and Scott PLLC
- Brown and Joseph
- Bull City Financial
- The Bureaus Inc.
- Cach LLC
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- Capio Partners
- Capital Accounts
- Capital Collections
- Capital Management Services
- Capital One
- Capital One
- CardWorks
- Carter Young Collections
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- CCB Credit Services
- CCB Springfield IL
- CBCS Collections
- CBE Group
- CBM Services
- CBV Collections
- CCS Collections
- CCS Offices
- Central Mediation Services
- Central Portfolio Control
- Chase
- Choice Recovery
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- Citibank
- CKS Financial
- CKMS
- Client Services
- CMRE Financial Services
- Coast Professional
- Consumer Collection Management
- Consumer Portfolio Services
- Comenity Bank Debt Collection
- Commercial Acceptance Company
- Commonwealth Financial
- Commonwealth Financial Systems
- ConServe Debt Collection
- Contract Callers Inc
- Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley
- Colinfobur
- Couch Lambert
- CRDT First
- Credence Resource Management
- Credence Resource Management
- Credco
- Credit Bureau Systems
- Credit Control Corporation
- Credit Management Company
- Credit Management LP
- Credit One Bank
- Credit Systems International
- Crown Asset Management
- CSIEZPay
- C Tech
- CVCS
- D&A Services
- Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel P.C.
- DCM Services
- Delta Outsource Group
- Department Stores National Bank
- Designed Receivable Solutions
- Discover
- Discover
- Discover Collections
- Direct Recovery Associates
- Diversified Adjustment
- Diversified Consultants
- Diversified Recovery Bureau
- DNF Associates LLC
- Dodeka LLC
- DRS Credit
- Dynamic Collectors
- Eagle Accounts Group Inc.
- Eagle Loan of Ohio
- Eastern Revenue Settlement
- Eastern Account System
- EduCap
- Encore Capital Group
- EOS CCA
- Equable Ascent Financial
- Equinox Collections
- ER Solutions
- Estate Information Services
- Everest Business Funding
- Evergreen Professional
- Express Recovery
- Faber and Brand
- FBCS
- FCO Collections and Outsourcing
- FIA Card Services
- Financial Recovery Services
- First Financial Bank
- First Federal Credit Credit Control
- First Financial Asset Management
- FirstPoint Collection Resources
- FirstPoint Coll Resources Inc.
- First Portfolio Ventures LLC
- Firstsource Advantage
- First Progress
- FNB Omaha
- FMA Alliance
- Forster & Garbus
- Franklin Collection Services
- Freedom Plus
- Frontline Asset
- Frost Arnett
- Galaxy International Purchasing LLC
- GC Debt Collection
- GC Services
- General Revenue Corporation
- Glass Mountain Capital
- Glasser and Glasser
- Global Credit Collection Corp
- Global Lending Services
- Global Payments Check Services
- Global Trust Management
- GLA Collections
- GMAC Financing
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- Grant and Weber
- Grant Mercantile Agency
- Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
- Gurstel Law Firm
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- Harris and Harris
- Harvard Collection
- Harvest Credit Management
- Helvey and Associates
- Hollis Cobb
- Holloway Credit Solutions
- Howard Lee Schiff
- HRRG Collections
- Hudson & Keyse LLC
- Hunt and Henriques
- Hunter Warfield
- IC System
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- Innovative Recovery
- InPhyNet Contracting Services
- Integras Capital Recovery LLC
- IQ Data
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- Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
- JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
- Johnson Mark LLC
- JPMCB Card
- JP Receivables Management Partners
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- KeyBank Student Loan
- Kinum
- Kirschenbaum Phillips & Levy PC
- KLS Financial Services
- Knight Adjustment Bureau
- Kramer & Frank
- Lakeside Collection
- Law Office of Michael J Scott
- Lending Club Charge Off
- Lincoln and Morgan Kabbage
- Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
- LJ Ross Associates
- Lockhart Collection Agency
- Lockhart Morrand Montgomery
- Love Beal and Nixon
- LTD Collections
- LVNV
- LVNV Funding
- Malen & Associates
- Mandarich Law Group
- Marcam Associates
- Mariner Finance
- MARS Inc. Collections
- MBA Law
- MCA Management Company
- McCarthy Burgess & Wolff
- Meade & Associates
- Medical Data Systems
- Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
- Merchants Credit Association
- Merchants' Credit Guide
- MGM
- Michael J Adams PC
- Midland Funding
- Midland Funding LLC
- Mid-South Adjustment
- MiraMed Revenue Group
- Monarch Recovery
- Monterey Financial
- Moore Law Group
- Moss Law Firm
- Mountain Land Collections
- Moxley and Associates
- MRS Associates
- MRS BPO
- MSCB Inc.
- MSW Capital LLC
- Mullooly Jeffrey Rooney & Flynn
- Nathan and Nathan PC
- National Credit Adjusters
- National Credit Systems
- National Collegiate Trust
- National Enterprise Systems
- National Recovery Agency
- National Recovery Solutions
- Nations Recovery Center
- National Service Bureau Collections
- Nationwide Credit
- Nationwide Recovery Services
- Nationwide Recovery Systems
- Northland Group
- Northstar Location Services
- Navient
- Navy Federal
- NCB Management Services
- NCEP LLC
- NCO Financial Systems Incorporated
- Nelson and Kennard
- North American Recovery
- Northstar Capital Acquisition
- NPAS Solutions
- Online Information Services
- OneMain Financial
- Old Navy Credit Card Debt
- Oliphant Financial LLC
- Oportun
- P&B Capital Group
- Palisades Collection LLC
- Pallida LLC
- Paragon Contracting Services
- Paragon Revenue Group
- Paragon Revenue Group
- Paramount Recovery
- PayPal Synchrony Card
- Payliance Collections
- PCB Collections Agency
- Pendrick Capital Partners
- Penn Credit
- Perdue Brandon
- Persolve LLC
- Pharia LLC
- Phillips & Cohen Associates
- Phoenix Financial Services
- Pinnacle Collections Agency
- Pioneer Credit Recovery
- PlusFour Collections
- Portfolio Recovery
- Portfolio Recovery Associates
- Portfolio Recovery Associates
- PRA Group Inc.
- Prestige Services Inc.
- Prince Parker and Associates
- ProCollect
- Professional Credit Service
- Professional Debt Mediation
- Professional Finance Company
- Progressive Management Systems
- Puget Sound Collections
- ProVest LLC
- PYOD LLC
- RAB Collection Agency
- Radius Global SOL
- Radius Global Solutions
- Rash Curtis and Associates
- RAS LaVrar
- Rausch Sturm
- The Rawlings Company
- Razor Capital
- Real Time Resolutions
- Receivables Management Services
- Receivables Performance Management
- Receivable Solutions
- Recovery Solutions
- Regional Finance
- Reliant Capital Solutions
- Rent Recovery Solutions
- Resurgent Capital Services
- Resurgent Capital Services
- Retailers National Bank
- Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation (ZuntaFi)
- Revco Solutions
- Revenue Enterprises LLC
- RFGI
- RGS Financial Inc.
- RMP LLC
- RMP Services
- Rock Creek Capital
- RS Clark and Associates
- RSIEH
- RSI Enterprises
- RTR Financial Services
- Rubin & Rothman
- Salander Enterprises LLC
- SCA Collections
- Scott and Associates
- Second Round Collections
- Second Round Sub LLC
- Security Credit Services
- Selip & Stylianou LLP
- Sentry Credit
- Sequium Asset Solutions
- Sessoms and Rogers
- SIMM Associates
- Source Receivables Management
- South District Group
- Southern Management Systems
- Southwest Credit Systems
- Southwest Recovery Services
- Spire Recovery Solutions
- Summit Account Resolution
- Stark Collection Agency
- State Collection Service
- Stenger and Stenger PC
- Stephen Einstein
- Stillman Law Office
- Summit Account Resolution
- Sunrise Credit Services
- Superlative RM
- Suttell and Hammer
- Swift Funds Financial
- Synchrony Bank
- Synchrony Walmart Card
- Synergetic Communication
- Synerprise Consulting
- SYNCB
- Target National Bank
- Tek-Collect Inc
- Transworld Systems Inc
- Trellis Company
- Trident Asset Management
- Troy Capital
- TRS Recovery Services
- TrueAccord
- UCB Collection
- UCB Collection
- UCHealth
- UHG 1 LLC
- Unifin
- Unifin
- Unifund
- United Collection Bureau
- United Recovery Systems
- Universal Credit Services
- USAA Collections
- US Bank Collections
- USCB America
- Valentine and Kebartas
- Valley Servicing
- Vance & Huffman LLC
- Velocity Investments LCC
- Velo Law Office
- Viking Client Services
- Virtuoso Sourcing Group
- Wakefield and Associates
- Waypoint Resource Group
- WebBank
- Weinberg and Associates
- Wells Fargo
- Wells Fargo Bank
- Westlake Financial
- Weltman Weinberg & Reis
- West Central Texas Collection Bureau
- Westlake Portfolio Management
- Westwood Funding
- WFDS
- Wilber and Associates
- Williams and Fudge
- Wilshire Consumer Credit
- Works and Lentz
- Worldwide Asset Purchasing
- Zarzaur & Schwartz
- Zwicker & Associates
Arbitration
If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you're not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.
Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.
- How Arbitration Works
- How Credit Card Arbitration Works
- How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
- Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
- Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration
- What Happens in Arbitration?
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.
- Can You Sue Someone Who Has Filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
- How to File Bankruptcy for Free Without an Attorney
- How to File Chapter 13 Without an Attorney
- Pros and Cons of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?
- The Pros and Cons of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Will Bankruptcy Stop a Judgment?
Check your case status
Don't have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We've created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.
- Alabama Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit
- Arizona Court Case Search - Find Your Lawsuit
- Arkansas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- California Court Case Search- Find Your Lawsuit
- Colorado Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Connecticut Case Lookup — Find Your Court Case
- Delaware Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Florida Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Georgia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Illinois Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Indiana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Illinois Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Indiana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Kansas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Kentucky Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Louisiana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Maryland Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Massachusetts Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Michigan Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Mississippi Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Missouri Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Nebraska Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Negotiate Debt With Crown Asset Management
- Nevada Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- New Hampshire Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- New Jersey Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit
- New York Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- North Carolina Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Ohio Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Oklahoma Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Oregon Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Pennsylvania Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- South Carolina Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Tennessee Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Texas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Utah Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Vermont Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Virginia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Washington Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- West Virginia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Wisconsin Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
Credit
Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt, along with other credit-related resources.
- 3 Crazy Credit Card Debt Stories
- Beware of Credit Repair Advance Fees
- Can a Credit Card Company Sue Me?
- Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
- Can You Go to Jail for Credit Card Debt?
- Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Because of Disability
- Credit Card Debt Statistics
- Credit Repair Scam
- How I Won My Credit Card Debt Lawsuit (Interview)
- How Long Do Creditors Have to Collect a Debt from an Estate?
- How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?
- How Often Does Merrick Bank Increase Your Credit Limit?
- How to Liquidate Credit Cards Into Cash
- How to Raise My Credit Score 40 Points Fast
- How to Remove Avantus From Your Credit Report
- How to Remove CBCInnovis From Your Credit Report
- How to Remove Fox Collection Center From Your Credit Report
- How to Walk Away from Credit Card Debt
- Is Credit Karma Accurate?
- Respond to a Summons for Credit Card Debt
- Should I Use Credit Journey?
- Stop Paying Credit Card Debt and Stop Worrying About It
- Summary of the Equifax Data Breach Settlement
- Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt
- Understanding myFICO: Your Gateway to Better Credit
- What Bank Is Behind Best Buy's Credit Card?
- What Bank is Milestone Credit Card With?
- What Bank Issues Kohl's Credit Card?
- What Bank Owns Old Navy Credit Card?
- What Credit Bureau does Aqua Finance Use?
- What Credit Bureau Does Truliant Use?
- What Does Credit Glory Do?
- What Does "DLA" Mean on a Credit Report?
- What is a Credit Inquiry Factual Data?
- What Is a Creditor Legally Required to Do if You Dispute a Debt?
- What Is A Good Credit Score For Businesses?
- What Is Assetcare on My Credit Report?
- What is CBNA on my credit report?
- What Is COAF On My Credit Report? How to Settle Debt
- What is CreditFresh?
- What is Factual Data On My Credit Report?
- Which Bank Does Macy's Credit Card Use?
- Why is THD/CBNA on my credit report?
Debt collection FAQs
Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.
- Am I Responsible for My Husband's Debts If We Divorce?
- Am I Responsible for My Parent's Debt if I Have Power of Attorney?
- Can a Collection Agency Add Fees on the Debt?
- Can a Collection Agency Charge Interest on a Debt?
- Can a Debt Collector Freeze Your Bank Account?
- Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?
- Can a Debt Collector Take My Car in California?
- Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?
- Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?
- Can Debt Collectors Call Your Family?
- Can Debt Collectors Leave Voicemails?
- Can Debt Collectors Lie to You?
- Can I Pay a Debt Before the Court Date?
- Can I Rent an Apartment if I Have Debt in Collection?
- Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?
- Can You Get Unemployment if You Quit?
- Can You Go to Jail for a Payday Loan?
- Can You Record a Call with a Debt Collector in Your State?
- Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?
- Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?
- Does a Living Trust Protect Your Assets from Lawsuits?
- Does Chase Sue for Credit Card Debt?
- Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?
- Does Midland Funding Show Up to Court?
- Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
- Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?
- Do Student Loans Go Away After 7 Years?
- How Does a Flex Loan Work?
- How Does Debt Assignment Work?
- How Does Finwise Bank Work?
- How does Navy Credit debt forgiveness work?
- How Does Payments.tsico Work?
- How Do I Find Out If I Have Any Judgments Against Me?
- How Do I Get Rid of a Judgment Lien on My Property?
- How Do You Demonstrate Financial Hardship?
- How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?
- How Long Does a Judgment Last?
- How Long Does a Judgment Last in Florida?
- How Long Does a Judgment Last in NY?
- How Long Does a Judgment Stay Last in Texas?
- How Long Does a Judgment Stay on Your Credit Report?
- How Long Does a Levy Stay on a Bank Account?
- How Long Does A RentGrow Dispute Take?
- How Long is a Judgment Good For in California?
- How Many Calls from a Debt Collector is Considered Harassment?
- How Many Times Can a Judgment Be Renewed in North Carolina?
- How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?
- How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Debt?
- How Should You Respond to the Theft of Your Identity?
- Is it Legal for Debt Collectors to Call Family Members?
- Is it Smart to Consolidate Debt?
- Is My Case in the Right Venue?
- Is Severance Pay Taxable?
- Is SoloSuit Worth It?
- Is Someone with Power of Attorney Responsible for Debt After Death?
- Is the NTB Credit Card Safe?
- Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?
- Should I Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney?
- Should I Hire a Litigation Attorney?
- Should I Marry Someone With Debt?
- Should I Pay Off an Old Apartment Debt?
- Should I Send a Demand Letter Before a Lawsuit?
- Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?
- SoloSuit FAQ
- What Does a Debt Collector Have to Prove in Court?
- What Does Payment Deferred Mean?
- What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?
- What Happens After I File an Answer to My Debt Lawsuit?
- What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?
- What Happens If You Ignore a Debt Collector?
- What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?
- What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency
- What Happens When You Get Served Papers for Debt?
- What Is a Rule 3.740 Collections Defense in California?
- What Is Debt Protection?
- What Is the Minimum Amount That a Collection Agency Will Sue For?
- What states require a professional licensing number for debt collectors?
- What Is T-Mobile's Phone Number for Debt Collection?
- When an LLC Fails What Happens to Its Debts?
Debt collection documents and templates
If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.
- Debt Validation Letter Template
- Do 609 Letters Really Work?
- Here's a Sample Letter to Collection Agencies to Settle Debt
- How to Make a 609 Letter That Really Works
- How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide
- How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
- How to Make a Motion to Dismiss
- How to Make a Motion to Lift Stay
- How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment
- How to Make Motion to Set Aside — Ultimate Guide
- How to send Santander a settlement letter
- How to Write a Hardship Letter
- How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter
- Sample Answer to Summons for Credit Card Debt Lawsuit
- Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors
- Sample credit report dispute letter
- Sample Letter to Remove a Charge-Off from Your Credit Report
- Template Cease and Desist Letters to Debt Collectors
- Use this Sample Answer to Summons for Credit Card Debt
- When to Send a Judgment Proof Letter
Debt relief
We've created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.
- Debt Relief Programs
- How to Access Free Debt Relief
- How to Get Credit Card Debt Relief
- How to Get Debt Relief in Alabama
- How to Get Debt Relief in Arizona
- How to Get Debt Relief in Kentucky
- How to Get Debt Relief in North Carolina
- How to Get Debt Relief in North Dakota
- How to Get Debt Relief in Ohio
- How to Get Debt Relief in Oklahoma
- How to Get Debt Relief in Oregon
- How to Get Debt Relief in Rhode Island
- How to Get Debt Relief in Texas
- How to Get Debt Relief (Ultimate 50 State Guide)
- How to Get Relief From a Gambling Debt
- If You Are Using a Debt Relief Agency Can You Settle Yourself with the Creditor?
- Obama Credit Card Debt Relief Program – How to Use It
- What Is Discover's 60/60 plan?
- What is Synchrony Bank's Hardship Program?
- Who is Over the Loan Forgiveness Program at KHESLC?
Debt settlement
Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We've created state guides on debt settlement. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.
- 5 Signs of a Debt Settlement Scam
- Accredited Debt Relief Debt Settlement Reviews
- Best Debt Settlement Companies
- Brite Solutions Debt Settlement Reviews
- Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?
- Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?
- Can I Still Settle a Debt After Being Served?
- Can You Settle a Warrant in Debt Before Court?
- Can You Settle Student Loan Debt?
- Century Debt Settlement Reviews
- CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review
- Debt Collectors Want to Settle Outside Court
- Debt Settlement Explained by a Lawyer
- Debt Settlement Pros and Cons
- Do I Need to Hire a Debt Settlement Lawyer?
- Do You Need a Debt Settlement Attorney in Houston Texas?
- Global Holdings Debt Settlement Reviews
- How Can I Settle My Credit Card Debt Before Going to Court?
- How Long Does It Take to Improve My Credit Score After Debt Settlement?
- How Much Do Settlement Companies Charge?
- How to File a Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement
- How to Legally Settle Debt in 5 Steps
- How to Make a Cypress Financial Recoveries Settlement Offer
- How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement
- How to Negotiate a Debt Settlement with a Law Firm
- How to Negotiate Credit Card Debt Settlement Yourself
- How to Negotiate Debt Settlement on Your Own
- How to Settle a Debt in Arizona
- How to Settle a Debt in Arkansas
- How to Settle a Debt in Colorado
- How to Settle a Debt in Delaware
- How to Settle a Debt in Florida
- How to Settle a Debt in Hawaii
- How to Settle a Debt in Idaho
- How to Settle a Debt in Illinois
- How to Settle a Debt in Kansas
- How to Settle a Debt in Kentucky
- How to Settle a Debt in Michigan
- How to Settle a Debt in Minnesota
- How to Settle a Debt in Mississippi
- How to Settle a Debt in Missouri
- How to Settle a Debt in Montana
- How to Settle a Debt in Nebraska
- How to Settle a Debt in Nevada
- How to Settle a Debt in New Hampshire
- How to Settle a Debt in New Jersey
- How to Settle a Debt in North Carolina
- How to Settle a Debt in Ohio
- How to Settle a Debt in Oklahoma
- How to Settle a Debt in Pennsylvania
- How to Settle a Debt in South Dakota
- How to Settle a Debt in Tennessee
- How to Settle a Debt in Texas
- How to Settle a Debt in Utah
- How to Settle a Debt in Wyoming
- How to Settle Debt for Pennies on the Dollar
- How to Settle Debt in 3 Steps
- If I Settle with a Collection Agency Will It Hurt My Credit?
- Infinite Law Group Debt Settlement Reviews
- Is Freedom Debt Relief a Scam?
- JG Wentworth Debt Settlement Reviews
- Largest Debt Settlement Companies
- National Debt Relief Debt Settlement Reviews
- New Era Debt Settlement Reviews
- Palisade Legal Group Debt Settlement Reviews
- Should I Settle a Collection or Pay in Full?
- TurboDebt Debt Settlement Reviews
- Turnbull Law Group Debt Settlement Reviews
- What Happens if I Reject a Settlement Offer?
- What Happens if You Don't Pay a Debt Settlement?
- What Happens When You Settle a Debt?
- What Is A Debt Settlement Agreement?
- What Percentage of a Debt is Typically Accepted in a Settlement?
- What Percentage Should I Offer to Settle Debt?
- What to Ask for in a Settlement Agreement
Eviction
Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.
- How Long Does an Eviction Stay on Your Record?
- How to Drag Out an Eviction
- How to Fight an Eviction
- How to Make an Eviction Appeal
- Can an Eviction Be Reversed?
- Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say
- Read This if You're Being Evicted With Children
- Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Here's What To Do
- What Happens if a Tenant Wins an Eviction Lawsuit?
- What to Say When You're in Court for Eviction
- When Is My Rent Due Legally?
Federal debt collection laws
Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we've compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.
- 15 USC 1692 Explained
- Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Act Explained
- FDCPA Violations List
- How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
- Sequium Class Action Lawsuit for FDCPA Violations Dismissed
- USC 15 Section 1662(b) Explained
- What Are My Debt Collection Rights?
- What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
- What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
- What does FCRA stand for?
Legal aid
Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.
- 5 Legal Aid Organizations That Are Crushing It
- Acceleration Clause — Definition
- Bar Associations for All 50 States
- Certificate of Debt: A Definition
- Community Legal Services Provides Legal Aid to Florida Residents
- Countersuing a Company: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Defendant - Definition and Everything You Need to Know
- Difference Between a Trial and a Hearing
- Hearing Vs. Trial
- Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
- How to Find the Attorney That is Suing You (Secret)
- How to Dispute a False Positive Drug Test
- How to Fight a Motion for Relief From Automatic Stay
- How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court
- How to File a Civil Answer With the Duval Clerk of Courts - Florida
- How to File a Motion to Extend Time
- How to File a Motion to Set Aside Judgment
- How to File in Bergen County Superior Court
- How to File in Deschutes County Circuit Court
- How to File in Oregon Small Claims Court
- How To Fill Out the PLD-C-001
- How to get a case dismissed without prejudice on statute of limitations
- How to Hire a Mediator
- Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?
- How to Satisfy a Judgment
- How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands
- Irrevocable Agreement — Defined
- Lawsuit Deadline Calculator (The best one!)
- Legal Support Services for Debt Collection
- Mastriani Law Firm Review
- Mediation - Definition
- Motion for Default Judgment - Everything You Need to Know
- Motion for Summary Judgment — Definition
- Plaintiff vs Defendant — What's the difference
- Probable Cause Hearing — Definition
- Restitution – Definition
- Summons—Definition
- What Happens at a Motion for Summary Judgment Hearing?
- What Happens During Discovery?
- What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?
- What Happens If a Process Server Can't Serve You?
- What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?
- What If an Order for Default Was Entered?
- What If a Summons Was Served to the Wrong Person?
- What If the Wrong Defendant Is Named in a Lawsuit?
- What Is a Case Number?
- What is a Certificate of Judgment in Ohio?
- What Is a Certificate of Service?
- What Is a Civil Chapter 61 Warrant?
- What Is a Consent Judgment?
- What is a default judgment?— What do I do?
- What is a Lien Release on a Car?
- What Is a Motion to Strike?
- What Is a Motion to Suppress?
- What is an Affirmative Defense?
- What Is an Assignment of Debt?
- What Is an Attorney Malpractice Lawsuit?
- What Is a Nonsuit Without Prejudice?
- What Is a Preliminary Hearing?
- What Is a Request for Dismissal?
- What is a Stipulated Judgment?
- What Is a Warrant in Debt?
- What is it Called When You Represent Yourself in Court?
- What is Moral Turpitude?
- What is sewer service?
- What Is Summary Judgment?
- What is the Deadline for a Defendant's Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?
- What is the Status of My Case?
- What Personal Property Can Be Seized in a Judgment?
- What to Consider Before Signing a Stipulated Judgment The Ultimate Guide
- What to do when you get a fake court summons or phone call
- Why Being Judgment Proof Is Not a Defense to a Lawsuit
- Why Do Lawyers Charge So Much?
- Why Is the Sheriff Looking for Me?
- Why Would a Sheriff Come to My House with Papers?
Medical debt
Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing with medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.
- Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
- Can Medical Debt Collectors Sue?
- Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
- How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
- How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
- Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
- Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
- Medicredit — How to Settle Your Debt
- New Maine Medical Debt Collection Laws
- New York Changes Medical Debt Collection Laws
- Optimum Outcomes Violates Medical Debt Collection Laws
- Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
- Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
Personal finance
Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.
- 5 Expenses You Can Cut to Save Money and Pay Off Debt
- 7 Things to Consider When Taking a Student Loan
- 3 Things to Know About Bright Lending
- Americor Debt Consolidation Review: Will It Work For You?
- ACE Cash Express Personal Loan Review
- Cambridge Debt Consolidation Review
- Advance America Loan Review
- BMG Money Loan Review
- BMO Harris Bank Review: Pros and Cons
- CashNetUSA Review
- Click N Loan Reviews
- Debt Eraser Review
- Golden 1 Credit Union Personal Loan Review
- How to Find My Bridgecrest Login
- How to Generate Passive Income
- How to Get Out of a Bridgecrest Loan
- How to get out of a RISE loan
- How to Get Out of Debt Before Retirement
- How to Get Out of Paying HOA Dues
- How to Handle a Nationstar Foreclosure
- How to liquidate your assets to pay off debt
- How to Pay off Your Destiny Credit Card
- How to Recover from a Negative Bank Balance
- How to Travel Without Falling into Debt: Embracing the "Workcation"
- iLending Reviews
- LoanMart Reviews
- Luxury on a Budget: 10 Ways to Have Luxury Experiences While Managing Debt
- Milestone ® Mastercard ® Review
- Mission Lane Credit Card Reviews
- ModoLoan Review
- My Bank Account is Negative $1 000 — Fix it
- OppLoans Review
- Overcoming College Debt Challenges: Top Strategies for Financial Freedom
- Priority Plus Financial Reviews
- Speedy Cash Loans Review
- Tripoint Lending Reviews
- What Does "Apple Pay Transaction Under Review" Mean?
- What Happens if I Don't Pay Acima?
- What Happens If You Don't Pay Speedy Cash?
- What if I default on an Avant payment
- What Is a Debt-to-Sales Ratio?
- What is Bank of America CashPro?
- What is Bitty Advance?
- What Is Celtic Bank?
- What is Oportun?
State debt collection laws
Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state's debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.
- Debt Collection Laws in Alabama
- Debt Collection Laws in Alaska
- Debt Collection Laws in Arizona
- Debt Collection Laws in Arkansas
- Debt Collection Laws in Colorado
- Debt Collection Laws in Connecticut
- Debt Collection Laws in Delaware
- Debt Collection Laws in Florida
- Debt Collection Laws in Georgia
- Debt Collection Laws in Hawaii
- Debt Collection Laws in Idaho
- Debt Collection Laws in Illinois
- Debt Collection Laws in Indiana
- Debt Collection Laws in Iowa
- Debt Collection Laws in Kansas
- Debt Collection Laws in Kentucky
- Debt Collection Laws in Louisiana
- Debt Collection Laws in Maryland
- Debt Collection Laws in Michigan
- Debt Collection Laws in Mississippi
- Debt Collection Laws in Missouri
- Debt Collection Laws in Montana
- Debt Collection Laws in Nebraska
- Debt Collection Laws in Nevada
- Debt Collection Laws in New Hampshire
- Debt Collection Laws in New Jersey
- Debt Collection Laws in New Mexico
- Debt Collection Laws in New York
- Debt Collection Laws in North Carolina
- Debt Collection Laws in North Dakota
- Debt Collection Laws in Ohio
- Debt Collection Laws in Oklahoma
- Debt Collection Laws in Oregon
- Debt Collection Laws in Pennsylvania
- Debt Collection Laws in Rhode Island
- Debt Collection Laws in South Carolina
- Debt Collection Laws in South Dakota
- Debt Collection Laws in Tennessee
- Debt Collection Laws in Vermont
- Debt Collection Laws in Virginia
- Debt Collection Laws in Washington
- Debt Collection Laws in West Virginia
- Debt Collection Laws in Wisconsin
- Debt Collection Laws in Wyoming
- Kentucky Debt Collection Laws — What You Need to Know
- Massachusetts Debt Collection Laws – What They Say
- Texas Debt Collection Laws Protect You
- Utah Debt Collection Laws
- California's Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Explained
Statute of limitations on debt
Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state's statutes and more.
- Statute of Limitations—Definition and Everything You Need to Know
- Alaska Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Colorado Debt Collection Statute of Limitations (Complete Guide 2026)
- Can the Statute of Limitations be Extended?
- Delaware Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Illinois Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
- Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
- Louisiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Maine statute of limitations on debt
- Michigan Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Mississippi Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Missouri Statute of Limitations on Debt
- New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt
- North Carolina Statute of Limitations on Debt
- North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt
- Rhode Island Statute of Limitations on Debt
- South Carolina Statute of Limitations on Debt
- South Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
- Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma (Complete Guide 2026)
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in Alabama
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in Montana
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in Nebraska
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in New Mexico
- Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in Texas
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Arizona
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in California (2026)
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Connecticut
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Georgia
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Hawaii
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Iowa
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Maryland
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Minnesota
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Nevada
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in New Jersey
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in New York
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Oregon
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Oregon (Complete Guide)
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Pennsylvania
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Tennessee
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Utah
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Virginia
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Wisconsin
- Statute of Limitations on Florida Debt
- West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt
- What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?
- Wyoming Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
Stop collection calls
Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it's a debt collector on the other line? If you've been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we'll tell you how to stop them.
- 206-922-0880
- 210-520-0146
- 502-267-7522
- 800-289-8004
- 8009556600
- 800-955-6600
- 805-637-7243
- (855) 267-7451
- 855-419-7365
- 877-366-0169
- 888-899-4332
- 888-222-4227
- 888-899-6650
- Collection Agencies Phone Numbers
Wage garnishment
Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.
- Can Credit Card Companies Garnish Your Wages?
- Can Credit Cards Garnish Wages?
- Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?
- Bank Account Garnishment and Liens in Texas
- Can My Wife's Bank Account Be Garnished for My Debt?
- Can Payday Loans Garnish Your Wages?
- Can pensions be garnished?
- Can Private Disability Payments be Garnished?
- Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
- Can Social Security Disability Be Garnished?
- Can You Stop a Garnishment Once It Starts?
- Does Wage Garnishment Affect Credit?
- Guide to Garnishment Limits by State
- How Can I Stop Wage Garnishments Immediately?
- How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?
- How Long Does It Take to Get Garnished Wages Back?
- How to Stop a Garnishment
- How to Fight a Wage Garnishment
- How to Stop Student Loan Wage Garnishment
- How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
- Ohio Garnishment Laws — What They Say
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Alabama
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Arizona
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Arkansas
- Stop Wage Garnishment in California
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Connecticut
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Delaware
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Florida
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Idaho
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Indiana
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Iowa
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Kansas
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Kentucky
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Louisiana
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Maine
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Massachusetts
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Minnesota
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Mississippi
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Missouri
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Montana
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Nevada
- Stop Wage Garnishment in New Jersey
- Stop Wage Garnishment in New Mexico
- Stop Wage Garnishment in New York
- Stop Wage Garnishment in North Dakota
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Ohio
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Oklahoma
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Oregon
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Rhode Island
- Stop Wage Garnishment in South Carolina
- Stop Wage Garnishment in South Dakota
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Tennessee
- Stop Wage Garnishment In Texas
- Stop Wage Garnishment In Utah
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Virginia
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Washington
- Stop Wage Garnishment in West Virginia
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Wisconsin
- Stop Wage Garnishment in Wyoming
The Debt Hotline
Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.
- $20,000 in Debt—Will I Go to Jail? | 7-Step Guide To Settling Credit Card Debt
- 5 Tips to Grow Wealth While Managing Debt: Expert Advice from FinTech Innovator
- Can You Negotiate Debt After a Judgment? Expert Attorney Tips
- Can You Negotiate with the IRS? 3 Ways to Resolve Tax Debt
- Debt Relief Consolidation or Settlement | Live Q&A with DebtMD CEO James Lambridis
- How Bankruptcy Affects Your Credit Score (and How to Bounce Back)
- How Bankruptcy Helped Me Start Over After $60,000 of Debt
- How Does the Statute of Limitations on Debt Work? Expert Attorney Explains
- How Much Debt Do I Need to File Bankruptcy With Upsolve Co-Founder Ben Jackson
- How to Avoid Going to Court When Sued for Debt: Attorney Tips for Settlement
- How to Build Family Wealth After Debt: Live Q&A with Tandem CEO Michelle Winterfield
- How to Buy a Home While You're In Debt: Q&A With Mortgage Broker Scott Griffin
- How to Choose the Right Path Out of Debt | Live Q&A with Relief Strategies CEO James Farias
- How to Get a Debt Lawsuit Dismissed: Expert Legal Tips
- How to Legally Settle Debt After Wage Garnishment | Q&A With Greg Anjewierden at Debtbrief
- How to Negotiate with Debt Collectors in 2025: Expert Tips from a Former Collection Attorney
- How to Pay Off Debt in 3-7 Years | Expert Tips From Shred Method's Adam Carroll
- How to Protect Yourself from Predatory Lending
- How to Settle a Debt Collection Lawsuit - Attorney Q&A With John Skiba
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Letter
- How to Settle a Judgment Debt in 2025: Expert Insights
- I Got Sued for $15k After Borrowing Money to Invest in Crypto
- Is Debt Settlement Right for You? Expert Q&A with TurboDebt's Sheldon Banker
- Medical Debt 101: How to Protect Your Finances and Credit
- Rebuild Your Credit While Paying Off Debt | Q&A with Fintech Pioneer Gwyneth Borden
- What Happens After I File an Answer to My Debt Lawsuit?
- What Stays on My Credit Report After I Settle a Debt? | Q&A With Credit Expert Melinda Carrera
- What To Do When Being Sued for Debt: How to Prevent Default Judgment
Other debt resources
- 3 Reasons Banks Can Freeze Your Account
- Cómo negociar una deuda en colección
- Cómo responder a una demanda civil por deuda
- Debt Collection Agency List (2026)
- Debt Collection Litigation Industry Report 2023
- Debt Collectors are Using AI
- Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
- Biggest Debt Collection Agencies
- Guide to Elderly Debt Collection Laws
- Get Help Responding to a Lawsuit
- Help! A Debt Collector Is Calling My Work
- Help! I'm Being Sued by My Debt Collector
- How Not to Pay a Judgment
- How to Appear in Court by Phone
- How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
- How to Answer a Summons Without an Attorney
- How to Apply For Unemployment Benefits in Florida
- How to Avoid Getting Served
- How to Beat a Debt Collector in Court
- How to Beat Junk Debt Buyers in Court
- How to Beat Payday Loan Debt Collectors
- How to Cancel a Merrick Bank Credit Card
- How to Cancel an American Eagle Credit Card: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Cancel JCPenney Credit Card
- How to cancel service with National Credit Care
- How to Defend Yourself in Court
- How to Discharge a Debt with UCC
- How to Dispute a Debt and Win
- How to Dispute a Debt Collector in 4 Steps
- How to dispute a rental collection
- How to Find Out If You're Being Sued
- How to Find Out What Collection Agency Owns Your Debt
- How to Get a Debt Lawsuit Dismissed in 5 Steps
- How to identify fake and abusive debt collectors
- How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
- How to Negotiate with Creditors
- How to Negotiate with Debt Collectors
- How to Negotiate a Lien on a House
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Letter
- How to Respond to a Lawsuit From a Debt Collector
- How to Respond to a Sheriff's Note On Your Door
- How to Respond to Plaintiff's Counsel
- How to Perform Voluntary Repossession
- How To Respond to Request for Admission
- How to Settle Debt with a Reduced Lump Sum Payment
- Can a Judgment Creditor Take my Car?
- How to Settle Credit Card Debt When a Lawsuit Has Been Filed
- I am being sued because my identity was stolen - What do I do?
- If a Car is Repossessed Do I Still Owe the Debt?
- I Got Sued Because of Credit Card Fraud—How I Beat American Express in Court
- I'm in Debt With No Job and No Money – What to Do
- Liquidated Debt vs. Unliquidated Debt
- Lloyd & McDaniel acquires Cooling & Winter
- National Debt Relief Screwed Me — What to Do Next
- Nicholas Financial sued for violating debt collection laws
- Nonsuit vs Dismissal in a Debt Collection Lawsuit
- Resolve Your Debt With A Summons Response: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Secrets of a Debt Collector—Interview With A Former Collector
- SoloSuit Sweet Sixteen: Honoring 16 Champions of Consumer Empowerment
- States Where You Can Go to Jail for Debt
- Sued By Credit Card Company? Here's What To Do
- Sued by Debt Collector? How to Resolve Your Debt
- Tax Debt Compromise Program Scam
- The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?
- Tips From a Former Debt Collector
- Top 7 Debt Collector Scare Tactics
- TransUnion Is Sued for Sharing Consumer Data with Fake Debt Collector
- Use This 11 Word Phrase to Stop Debt Collectors
- What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?
- What are the different types of debt?
- What to Do After Filing an Answer in a Debt Collection Lawsuit
- What to Do If a Debt Collector Is Attempting to Collect a Discharged Debt
- What to Do If a Debt Collector Sues You
- What to Do if You're Delinquent on Debt
- What to Expect If Your Debt Case Goes to Court
- When Does Exeter Finance Repo Cars?
- Why Do Debt Collectors Block Their Phone Numbers?
- You're Drowning in Debt — Here's How to Swim

