Creditor Lawsuits: When to Fight and When to Settle

Quick Answer: When facing creditor lawsuits, debtors should file a formal answer denying the claim to create a legal controversy, then use the discovery process to force collectors to prove the debt amount and validity. Fighting rather than ignoring collection lawsuits allows defendants to challenge questionable interest rates, fees, and documentation through the court system.“Dear …

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Debt Collection Lawsuits: What the Data Shows

Quick Answer: ProPublica’s analysis reveals that debt collection lawsuits disproportionately target low-income Americans, with 4 million workers having wages garnished in 2013. Those earning $15,000-$40,000 annually face the highest garnishment rates, and Black communities experience significantly more debt collection lawsuits than white communities even at similar income levels.by Paul Kiel ProPublica, May 5, 2016, 8 …

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Why Debt Collectors Dismiss Lawsuits Often

Quick Answer: Debt collectors often dismiss lawsuits because they cannot locate defendants for proper service, making profit objectives difficult to achieve despite paying high California court filing fees. A dismissal “without prejudice” means the case can potentially be refiled later, so the matter is not permanently resolved.“Dear Michael,While searching for information about myself online, I …

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