How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Florida

“I heart debt lawsuits!” — said no one ever.

Getting sued for a debt is terrible. This article will make the process of responding to a debt lawsuit a little bit easier and tell you how to answer a summons for debt collection in Florida.

Below, you'll find helpful topics on how to answer a summons for debt collection in the Sunshine State. This list includes information specific to filing in Florida, like state deadlines and forms.

Not sued yet? Send a Debt Validation Letter to get collectors off your back.

Table of Contents

• Deadlines
• Forms
• Answer the Summons without hiring an attorney
• Follow these steps to respond
• Statute of limitations on debt in Florida
• Florida debt collection laws
• Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act work in Florida?
• If the creditor sells your debt, you may not be obligated to pay
• What if I haven't been sued yet?
• Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
• Settle debt in Florida
• Stop wage garnishment in Florida
• File a civil Answer with the Duval clker of courts in Florida
• Find debt relief in Florida
• Apply for unemployment benefits in Florida
• Check the status of your cour case in Florida
• File an Answer in your local Florida court

You have 20 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in Florida

In Florida, the deadline to respond to a debt Summons and Complaint is just 20 days. That's 20 days starting from the day after you are served, including Saturdays and Sundays.

For example, Jenny is being sued in Florida for a credit card debt. She is served the court Summons and Complaint on March 11th, a Friday. That means she has until March 31st, a Thursday, to submit her written response. Jenny files her Answer with the court on March 31, the last day within the deadline, and it is accepted.

Keep in mind that many courts are generous regarding deadlines, specifically when the defendant (or the person being sued) is not represented by an attorney. So, if you are responding pro se (without a lawyer), the court might give you a little extra leeway to respond.

If you already responded to the lawsuit, go here to send an offer to settle the debt outside of court.

Use this sample Answer to respond to the Complaint in Florida

If you aren't sure how to write an Answer, SoloSuit can help. SoloSuit's Answer form makes it easy to draft and file a response to your Florida debt lawsuit. You can fill out the form in a matter of minutes by answering a few simple questions on SoloSuit's site. SoloSuit's Answer is created by professional attorneys and has protected consumers from losing over $100 million in predatory debt lawsuits.

Florida also has many resources for defendants who are representing themselves in a credit card debt lawsuit. Most courts even have forms you can fill out to respond to the suit.

Here's an example of one of SoloSuit's Answer forms.

Answer the Summons without hiring an attorney

If you've been sued for debt, especially credit card debt, you should respond to the court Summons and Complaint immediately. You might think you need to hire an attorney to do so, but you can actually represent yourself and save lots of money and time.

You don't need an attorney to help you draft and file your written Answer. In fact, with resources like SoloSuit, you can draft an Answer in less than 10 minutes. SoloSuit can also file the Answer in the court on your behalf, and for a small fee, have an attorney review your court documents before sending them off.

Finding an attorney can be extremely time-consuming and challenging, and it might end up costing more than the debt you owe. Save yourself the stress and money by representing yourself with SoloSuit's help.

Steps to respond to a debt collection case in Florida

All lawsuits formally start the same way: you get two documents in the mail or via personal delivery. These documents are called the Summons and Complaint. In Florida, you have only 20 days to respond by filing an Answer. You can respond with either an Answer document or a Motion; usually, you'll want to respond with an Answer document.

If you don't respond within the 20 day period, you will automatically lose your case by default judgment.

There are three steps to respond to the Summons and Complaint.

1. Answer each issue listed in the Complaint
2. Assert affirmative defenses
3. File one copy of the Answer document with the court and serve the plaintiff with another copy.

Let's take a look at each step.

1. Answer each issue of the Complaint.

Many people are intimidated by making an Answer document. And that's ok. These instructions keep it simple. Just read the Complaint and then decide how you want to respond to each numbered paragraph. Avoid giving long Answers that over-explain your side of the story. You should respond in one of three ways:

• Admit: Like saying, This is true.
• Deny: Like saying, Prove it.
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: Like saying, I don't know.

Most attorneys recommend making a general denial, where you deny everything in the complaint and force the other side to prove everything. Just choose one of these answers and write it into your Answer. If you choose “disagree” you can explain why you disagree.

2. Assert affirmative defenses.

To assert affirmative defenses, you simply state reasons why the person suing you has no case. This is where you get to give your side of the story. Some of the most common affirmative defenses we see are:

• The account with the debt is not your account
• The contract was already canceled. Therefore you don't owe the creditor anything.
• The statute of limitations has expired. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline on an action. In this case, the statute of limitations sets the deadline at 6 years, so you can't be sued for a debt based on a contract from six years ago.
• The debt has been paid or excused.
• The debt has been partially paid.
• You were a co-signer but were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.

These are a few of the many affirmative defenses, but you should list them in legal jargon. SoloSuit makes it easy to do this. Keep in mind, being unable to pay the debt is not normally a legal defense to the debt.

SoloSuit makes it easy to make the right defense.

3. File the answer with the court and serve the plaintiff.

Filing the Answer can be tricky. Courts have specific requirments for filing (i.e. original signature, certificate of service, etc.), and are notorious for rejecting Answers if they're not met. Here are some helpful hints for filing:

• Print two copies of your Answer
• Mail the original to the court
• Mail the other copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

The address for both should be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. The attorney's address should be on the top left of the first page. The court's address should be in the first two paragraphs.

SoloSuit can file your Answer for you after an attorney reviews your documents.

Show up to the hearing

Sometimes the court will schedule a hearing after you respond to the lawsuit. Frequently, cases get dismissed just by filing an Answer, but sometimes a hearing is necessary. If you don't show up for the hearing, you'll lose the case.

Settle your debt outside of court before the hearing.

You should investigate before you pay a collection agency

It is a common practice for debt collection agencies to purchase debts from credit card companies. If a debt collection agency has contacted you about a debt you owe, you should do some investigating before sending them any money.

Before making any payments to a collection agency, you should check the statute of limitations on the debt. The staute of limitations is the time period in which a creditor or collection agency can file a lawsuit to recover the debt, and it varies depending on which state you live in.

If you make a payment on a debt that is past the statute of limitations, the clock is restarted, and the collection agency will have the legal right to take you to court of the debt again. For this reason, you should make sure your debt is valid before making any sort of payments on it.

The Florida statute of limitations on debt can protect you

The statute of limitations on mosts debt, including credit card debt, is five years in Florida. This means that creditors and debt collectors only have five years to sue you over a debt, typically starting from the time you made your last payment on an account.

Note that they can still contact you in an attempt to recover the debt, and they may even sue you. It's up to you use the expired statute of limitations as an affirmative defense in your case. In other words, the judge and jury are not going to research the history of your debt for you. If the debt is past the statute of limitations, it's yyour responsibility to bring it up in court.

Also, keep in mind that processing any payment for a time-barred debt will restart the debt's Statute of Limitations. It is therefore critical to check your debt's Statute of Limitations before initiating any repayment programs.

The table below further outlines the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Florida:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Florida

Debt Type	Deadline in Years
Credit Card	5 years
Medical	5 years
Student Loan	5 years
Auto Loan	5 years
Mortgage	5 years
Personal Loan	5 years
Judgment	20 years
Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)

SoloSuit can help you use the statute of limitations as a defense in your debt case.

How long does a judgment last in Florida?

As you can see from the table above, the statute of limitations on a judgment in Florida is 20 years. That’s technically true, but how long does a judgment last in Florida? The laws around judgments are more nuanced than that.

In some cases, your creditor can get what’s called a “judgment lien” on your property (like your house or your car). A judgment works like a secured loan — as long as you stay current on your payment obligations to the creditor, you get to keep your house or car. But if you fall behind, the creditor can take your house or car and sell it to pay off the debt.

A judgment lien is valid for 10 years. However, your creditor has the option to renew the lien for an additional 10 years if the debt remains unpaid. Similarly, a judgment is enforceable for 20 years, but the creditor may renew it multiple times.

Fortunately for consumers, judgments do not renew automatically. Once the 20 years is up, the creditor must file with the court to get a new 20-year judgment. As long as the court still supports the creditor’s right to collect, it will restart the 20-year statute of limitations on the judgment.

Florida debt collection laws help consumers like you

The statute of limitations on debt isn't the only debt collection law that protects consumers from unfair treatment in Florida.

You may already know that the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects your rights as a consumer. Florida debt collection laws extend beyond the protections given by the FDCPA. Florida law puts these additional constraints on debt collectors:

• They should not impersonate law enforcement professionals.
• They should not send documents in the mail with embarrassing words on the outside.
• They should not threaten you with illegitimate debt.
• They should not use documents designed to look like legal documents (like a fake lawsuit Summons).
• They should not contact other people (except your attorney) about your debt.
• They should not continue to communicate with you about a debt if they know you have an attorney.

It’s also important to understand the statutes of limitations on debts in Florida. In Florida, the statute of limitations on debt is five years. This means that a creditor or collector only has five years to file a lawsuit against you for a debt. The countdown starts from the last transaction you make on an account.

Often, if a debt collector sees that you’re nearing the statute of limitations on an account, they will try to give themselves more time to sue you by convincing you to make a “good faith” payment. That restarts the clock on the statute of limitations, meaning the collector can now come after you for the debt for another five years.

Before you let a creditor convince you to make a payment on an account that you haven’t paid for quite some time, make sure you find out the last payment you made and check it against the statute of limitations.

However, there is an exception to that five-year statute of limitations. If you have a judgment against you, the creditor can continue to garnish your wages or otherwise pursue you for the debt for 20 years.

Florida debt settlement laws

Settling your debt can be a great way to wipe the slate clean and move toward a better financial future. However, different states have slightly different debt settlement laws when it comes to settling debt. Florida is bound by the FDCPA, but it also has a state law, the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA), that gives you additional protections.

Before you try to settle a debt, you should make sure the debt collector is licensed to operate in Florida. Some states don’t require collectors to be registered, but Florida does.

If a collector comes after you and you live in Florida, the first thing you should do is ask for their licensing number. If they don’t have one, there’s a good chance they have no legal authority to collect on the debt.

You also should know that while the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from using unfair, intimidating, or deceptive tactics to try to collect a debt, the FCCPA also prohibits original creditors from using these tactics.

If a collector or original creditor violates your rights, you should report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Florida Office of Financial Regulations. In some cases, you might actually be able to take legal action against the collector and recover damages, so report any suspected FCCPA or FDCPA violations before you make a settlement offer!

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act work in Florida?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law, meaning it applies in every state. The FCRA was passed in 1970 to regulate the way your credit information is collected, stored, and used. It’s a lengthy document, but here are some of the most important protections it gives you:

• The right to have negative information removed (negative marks come off in seven years and bankruptcy in 10)
• The right to receive a free annual copy of your report
• The right to have inaccurate information removed
• The right to ask for collection agencies to validate debts they say you owe
• The right to seek damages if an entity violates the FCRA
• The right to be informed if your credit report is used against you

So, yes, the Fair Credit Reporting Act works in Florida, and fortunately, Florida also has additional protections for consumers. These are some of the additional credit protections you have if you’re a Florida resident:

• If an insurance company uses your credit report in a decision, you must be informed.
• If your report adversely impacted your application, the insurer must tell you how.
• No entity can request your report solely because of your income, national origin, gender, age, marital status, religion, race, or color.
• An employer must have your written consent to check your credit.
• You can’t be fired or denied employment only because of your credit.
• If negative items on your report influence an employer’s decision, you must be given a chance to explain them.

The FCRA restricts who can access your credit report. However, Florida adds an extra layer of protection: you can put a “security freeze” on your credit file. If you do this, only you can access the information in it, and if any person or company wants to view it, they must get your consent first.

If the creditor sells your debt, you may not be obligated to pay

Under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDPCA), debt collection agencies must validate a debt in writing within 5 days of contacting you about it. If they never validate the debt, you should send them a Debt Validation Letter before sending them any money. Many collection agencies give up after receiving such a letter, because it would cost them more time and resources to verify the debt.

If the collection agency cannot validate the debt, they must cease contact with you. In this case, you are not obligated to pay anything. Check out the following guide if you have ever asked yourself, "Should you never pay a debt collection agency?" for more information on paying off your debt to a collections agency.

What if I haven't been sued yet?

If you've only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it's by phone or mail, you can respond with a Debt Validaiton Letter. This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and requires they provide proof you owe the debt. They can't call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt.

Learn more about the Debt Validation Letter here or by watching this video:

This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida

If you’ve been sued by a debt collector but don’t want to go to court, the good news is that you have other options. One of these options is to make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida. This is essentially a request to settle the debt via arbitration instead of through a lawsuit.

Many people have misconceptions about arbitration — more specifically, they confuse it with mediation. Arbitration is a process where you and the creditor work out an agreement out of court.

The meeting includes an arbitrator, who listens to both sides and then issues a legally binding ruling. Mediation is somewhat similar, but unlike an arbitrator, a mediator may not issue a legally binding ruling.

Not all kinds of debt can be resolved via arbitration. You must have a pre-existing contract with the creditor that includes a provision for arbitration. If arbitration is allowed by your contract and you think it’s a better way to resolve your debt, your next step should be to file a Motion to Compel Arbitration. The process starts with a petition that must include the following:

• The actual text of the arbitration clause of your contract
• A request for the other party to be compelled to follow that clause
• The identities of the parties in the lawsuit (you and the creditor)
• A Notice of Hearing
• The court that has jurisdiction over the lawsuit
• Your signature

Filing a Motion to Compel Arbitration can be challenging, especially if you don’t have legal experience. Filing with SoloSuit keeps it simple.

Force your lawsuit out of court when you file a Motion to Compel Arbitration.

Settle debt in Florida

If your original debt agreement doesn’t have an arbitration clause (or if you’d just rather not go through arbitration), you have another option for resolving your debt: settlement. This is where you offer to pay an amount less than the total debt owed. If the creditor accepts, you pay them, and they stop all collection efforts (including any lawsuits).

You don’t have to wait for a creditor to sue you to settle a debt in Florida. However, if a creditor does sue you, you’ll lose your chance to settle if you don’t act fast! In Florida, once you’ve been served a Complaint and a Summons (the two documents you receive when you’re being sued), you have 20 days to respond with an Answer letter.

If you don’t respond, the court will likely enter a default judgment against you. This is something you want to avoid. When you have a judgment against you, your creditor is then given more legal tools to collect the debt.

Because the court has ordered you to pay it, the debt can be taken from your bank account or garnished from your wages. In some cases, the collector might even be able to seize your property and sell it to pay off what you owe.

When you get sued for a debt, the first thing you should do is file an Answer. This continues the lawsuit, keeping your options open. After you file your Answer, you can then open settlement negotiations by sending an offer to the creditor.

Take the guesswork out of negotiating a settlement with SoloSettle from SoloSuit.

Regardless of when you settle your debt, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to protect yourself. One is to get the settlement agreement in writing before you send any money to the creditor.

The other is to make sure the agreement states that the creditor will not pursue further collection actions against you — that as soon as you pay the agreed-upon settlement amount, your obligation to the creditor ends.

For more help on negotiating with debt collectors and creditors, watch the following interview with an attorney who has years of experience negotiating debt settlement.

Stop wage garnishment in Florida

Unfortunately, many people panic when they’re hounded by debt collectors. If you’re in this situation, you might be tempted to ignore debt lawsuits. However, this can lead to having a judgment against you. A court judgment authorizes a creditor to garnish your wages. They can’t take all of your paycheck, but a certain amount can be deducted and paid toward your debt.

For many people, wage garnishment adds a huge amount of stress to an already stressful financial situation. Florida offers more protections from wage garnishment than some states do. These are some of the kinds of income that might be exempt from garnishment in Florida:

• Social Security benefits
• Supplemental Security Income benefits
• Unemployment compensation
• Public assistance/welfare
• Veterans’ benefits
• Retirement benefits or pension money
• Annuity proceeds
• Workers’ compensation benefits
• Life insurance benefits

If you have any of the income types listed above and that income is being garnished, it’s worth filing a claim of exemption form.

File a civil Answer with the Duval Clerk of Courts in Florida

When you get sued for a debt, you will receive two documents: a Summons and a Complaint. The Complaint outlines all the reasons for the lawsuit, and the Summons is the document that says you’re being sued.

If you’ve been sued in Duval County, you must file an Answer with the Duval Clerk of Court. Your Answer is a document where you respond to the lawsuit. You should file it as soon as possible. In Florida, you have 20 days to respond to a debt collection suit after you’ve received the Summons.

In your Answer letter, you must respond to the allegations made in the complaint. You don’t have to provide reasons why, but you must confirm or deny each one. In Florida, you have the option to raise affirmative defenses in your Answer. These are reasons you should win the case. Here are some examples:

• The debt is a result of identity theft.
• The statute of limitations for the debt has passed.
• The lawsuit wasn’t filed where the contract was signed or where you live.
• You’re being sued for the wrong amount of money.
• You already paid the debt.
• The debt isn’t yours.
• The debt was already discharged in bankruptcy.

When possible, you should send documentation in support of your affirmative defenses.

You should format the Answer this way:

• In the form’s caption, include the plaintiff’s name and your name.
• Below that, add the case number, division, and name of the court.
• Then, make numbered paragraphs corresponding to the allegations in the complaint.
• Answer each claim (an example is “Defendant denies the allegation”).
• Then, include your affirmative defenses.
• At the bottom, under “certificate of service,” state how you’ll send a copy to the plaintiff.

Then, you send a copy of the Answer to the plaintiff, keep a copy for yourself, and file the original with the Clerk of Courts. Filing your Answer with the Duval Clerk of Courts is simple with SoloSuit. We’ll help you format the document and make sure it gets where it needs to go.

Find debt relief in Florida

Overcoming debt can be a challenge, especially in an economy where wages are stagnating and living expenses seem to be going up every day. It’s easy to feel like debt is insurmountable, but there are more solutions for debt relief in Florida than you might realize.

• Make a debt repayment plan: If you have multiple different debts, one of the most commonly recommended ways to pay it off is the “snowball” method. You start by paying off your smallest debts, and you can then allocate the minimum payments you were making on the smaller debts to the larger debts. When you have a repayment plan, it makes it easier to track your progress and celebrate milestones along the way.


• Take out a debt consolidation loan: These loans can take a lot of the guesswork out of repaying debt. If you have at least a decent credit score, you may qualify for a debt consolidation loan. These loans let you combine multiple debts into a single monthly payment, usually with a lower interest rate. Of course, if you’re approved, always make sure your loan has a lower interest rate than your debt. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose!


• See if you qualify for financial aid: If you’re struggling with both debt and a low income, there are some programs in Florida that can help. You might qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or both. You also might qualify for rental assistance and other programs from the Office on Homelessness.


• Settle your debt: Depending on your creditors and the kind of debt you owe, settling might not always be possible. However, in many cases, it’s worth trying to settle your debt. This is where you offer to give your creditor a one-time payment that’s less than the total amount you owe. You save money, and in many cases, the creditor does, too. Trying to collect a debt can be costly, especially when a creditor resorts to filing lawsuits.


• Filing for bankruptcy: This isn’t an option for everyone, but if you think there’s no hope of being able to repay your debts, bankruptcy may be an option. If you have little income and few assets, you might qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which eliminates most debts. If you have greater income or more assets, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be more appropriate. This type eliminates some debt but not all.

Make sure you stay away from programs that advertise “no-cost debt relief.” These programs are scams designed to prey on people in your situation.

Apply for unemployment benefits in Florida

Losing your job can put you under serious financial stress, especially if you don’t have significant assets, are in debt, or are trying to support a family. If you have lost your job or been partially laid off, unemployment benefits may be able to help.

In Florida, unemployment benefits are called the Florida Reemployment Assistance (Insurance) Program. If you qualify, you can receive assistance for up to 12 weeks. Not everyone is eligible. If you want to apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be able to work.
• Have worked in Florida for at least the past 12 months.
• Earn a certain minimum wage during the last 12 months (the “base period”).
• Be currently unemployed, either partially or fully.
• Be actively looking for work while receiving benefits.

You also will need to supply documentation of your employment for the past 18 months. The documentation will usually need to include the reason for the job loss, your employer’s name, how much you earned, the dates you worked for each employer, and each employer’s Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) or the employer details from your pay stub.

Check the status of your court case in Florida

Debt collection lawsuits come with their fair share of stressors. One of those stressors is keeping up with your case’s progress. Court cases almost always involve multiple filings, court appearances, and other important dates.

You can represent yourself in a debt collection lawsuit in Florida, but doing that successfully means keeping up with the status of your case. And to make sure you can check the status of your Florida court case, you need to know your court case’s number.

If you’ve lost track of your case number, there’s no need to worry — there are multiple ways to recover it. The easiest way is to visit the online portal for the Florida court system. You can then run a search for your attorney’s name, the name of the plaintiff (or their attorney), the date the case was first filed, or the specific court it was filed in.

If that doesn’t work, visit the Florida court directory to find your court’s location. From there, you can find the contact information for the court in your jurisdiction. You can call the clerk or visit the court in person to get your case number. Once you have it, you should be able to track your case’s progress online.

If you prefer, you can also request your court records by mail or visit the court in person to ask the clerk to make copies.

File an Answer in your local Florida court

Remember, you have 20 days to respond to Florida summons for debt collection. Find your local court below to get started with the process of filing your Answer.

• In the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for St. Johns County
• In the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for St. Johns County
• In the County Court in and for Pasco County, Florida West Side Civil Division
• In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit In and for Desoto County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for Putnam County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Union County, Florida
• In the Hialeah District Court In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Duval County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Wakulla County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for Flagler County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court for the 6 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Pasco County, Florida West Side
• In the County Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Bay County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court for the 6 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Pasco County, Florida East Side
• In the Circuit Court in and for Okaloosa County, Florida Crestview Division
• In the County Court for the 1 St Judicial Circuit In and for Okaloosa County, Florida Fort Walton Division
• In the County Court for the 1 St Judicial Circuit In and for Okaloosa County, Florida Crestview Division
• In the County Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuitin and for Sumter County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Hillsborough County, Florida Civil Division
• In the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for Putnam County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Walton County, Florida Santa Rosa Beach Division
• In the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Citrus County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Hernando County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Lake County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Marion County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit In and for Pinellas County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Levy County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Baker County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Bradford County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Gilchrist County, Florida
• In the Coral Gables District Court In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• Joseph Caleb Center Court
• In the County Court of the Twelfth Circuit In and for Sarasota County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Highlands County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 14 Th Judicial Circuit in and for Holmes County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Jackson County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Washington County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Monroe County, Florida Marathon Division
• In the County Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Martin County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Saint Lucie, Florida
• In the County Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Indian River County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Okeechobee County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit In and for Lee County, Florida
• In the Circuit County Court in and for Volusia County, Florida Daytona Beach Division
• In the County Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Palm Beach County, Florida South Courthouse
• In the County Court in and for Palm Beach County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Pasco County, Florida East Side Civil Division
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Alachua County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Baker County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Bradford County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Gilchrist County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Levy County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Union County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Marion County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Monroe County, Florida Key West Division
• In the County Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Hardee County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Hardee County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Highlands County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Polk County, Florida Bartow Division
• In the Miami Beach District Court In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit In and for Manatee County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Hillsborough County, Florida Civil Division
• In the County Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Polk County, Florida Northeast Division
• In the Circuit County Court in and for Volusia County, Florida Deland Division
• In the Circuit Court in and for Escambia County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Santa Rosa County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Walton County, Florida Defuniak Springs Division
• In the Circuit Court in and for Walton County, Florida Defuniak Springs Division
• In the Circuit Court in and for Walton County, Florida Santa Rosa Beach Division
• In the Circuit Court in and for Okaloosa County, Florida Fort Walton Division
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Hamilton County, Florida
• In the County County Court in and for Volusia County, Florida Deland Division
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Lafayette County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Madison County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Suwanee County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Taylor County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court in and for Nassau County, Florida Fernandina Beach Division
• In the Circuit Court in and for Nassau County, Florida Yulee Division
• In the County Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit In and for Clay County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Brevard County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit In and for Lee County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 17 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Broward County, Florida Hollywood Division
• In the Circuit Court for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit In and for Sarasota County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Second Judicial Circuit In and for Leon County, Florida
• In the County Court for the 5 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Hernando County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Brevard County, Florida
• In the County Court of the First Judicial Circuit In and for Escambia County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Calhoun County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Calhoun County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 17 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Broward County, Florida Deerfield Beach Division
• In the County Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Gulf County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of Orange County, Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
• In the Circuit Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Gulf County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Jackson County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 17 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Broward County, Florida Fort Lauderdale Division
• In the Circuit Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Washington County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Palm Beach County, Florida North Courthouse
• In the County Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Palm Beach County, Florida West Courthouse
• In the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Martin County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Hillsborough County, Florida Civil Division
• In the County Court in and for Leon County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 15 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Palm Beach County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the 17 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Broward County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the 15 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Palm Beach County, Florida
• In the County County Court in and for Volusia County, Florida Daytona Beach Division
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Dixie County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court in and for Gadsden County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Saint Lucie, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Gadsden County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Indian River County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit In and for Orange County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Okeechobee County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit In and for Osceola County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the 11 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit In and for Pinellas County, Florida
• United States District Court For the Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division
• In the County Court in and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the County of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Seminole County, Florida
• In the County Court of the 11 Th Judicial Circuit In and for Miami Dade County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Polk County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit In and for Charlotte County, Florida Civil Division
• In the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Sumter County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit in and for St. Lucie County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuit In and for Madison County, Florida Civil Division
• In the County Court in and for Hendry County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit In and for Lake County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Third Judicial Circuitin and for Columbia County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Twelfth Circuit In and for Desoto County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit In and for Alachua County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit In and for Polk County, Florida Lakeland Division
• In the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit In and for Collier County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit In and for Flagler County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit In and for Monroe County, Florida Division
• In the County Court, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Brevard County, Florida
• In the County Court of the Twelfth Circuit In and for Manatee County, Florida
• In the Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Brevard County, Florida
• In the County Court in and for Citrus County State of Florida, Civil Division
• In the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Saint Johns County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, in and for Osceola County
• In the County Court in and for Suwannee County, Florida
• In the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit In and for Duval County, Florida

Takeaways on how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Florida

So, in short, here's the review on how to answer a summons for debt collection in Florida.

• Deadline: 20 days
• Use an Answer form to get started

Follow these steps:

1. Answer each issue in the complaint.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File and serve the Answer.

Frequently asked questions about Florida debt collection lawsuits

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

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

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
• AAA Collections
• Aargon Agency Inc
• ABC Financial Club Charge
• Ability Recovery Services
• Absolute Resolutions Investments
• Account Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Ace Cash Express
• ACEI Collections
• ACS Ed Services
• Ad Astra Recovery Services
• Advanced Recovery Systems
• Advantage Collection Professionals
• AES NCT
• AFNI Collections
• Alco Capital Group LLC
• Aldous and Associates
• Alliance Collections
• Alliance One
• Alliant Capital Management
• Allied Collection Services
• Alltran Financial
• Alorica Inc.
• Alpha Recovery Corp
• Amcol Systems
• American Credit Acceptance
• American Coradius International
• American Express
• American Express
• American Express
• American Recovery Service
• Americollect
• Americollect
• Amerifinancial Solutions
• AmSher Collection Services
• Apelles LLC
• Apex Asset Management
• Arcadia Recovery Bureau
• Armada Corp
• A.R.M. Solutions
• Arnold Scott Harris
• AR Resources
• Arrow Financial Services
• AscensionPoint Recovery Services
• American Profit Recovery
• ARC Collections
• ARS National Services
• ARstrat
• ASG Recovers
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Atlantic Credit and Finance
• Avante USA
• Atradius Collections
• Automated Collection Services Inc.
• Autovest LLC
• AWA Collections
• Balanced Healthcare Receivables
• Bank of America
• Bank of America
• Barclay
• Bay Area Receivables
• BCA Financial Services
• BC Services
• Benuck and Rainey
• Berlin-Wheeler
• Best Buy Credit Card
• Blitt & Gaines
• Bluebonnet Financial LLC
• Bonneville Collections
• Brock and Scott PLLC
• Brown and Joseph
• Bull City Financial
• The Bureaus Inc.
• Cach LLC
• Caine and Weiner
• Capio Partners
• Capital Accounts
• Capital Collections
• Capital Management Services
• Capital One
• Capital One
• CardWorks
• Carter Young Collections
• Cascade Receivables Management
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• 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
• Citibank
• 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
• Golden 1 Credit Union
• Grant and Weber
• Grant Mercantile Agency
• Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
• Gurstel Law Firm
• H&R Accounts
• Halsted Financial Services
• 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
• Impact Receivables Management
• Innovative Recovery
• InPhyNet Contracting Services
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• IQ Data
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
• Johnson Mark LLC
• JPMCB Card
• JP Receivables Management Partners
• Kenneth Eisen and Associates
• 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