My question is this. Do you think I can settle with them for far less than 25K or will they demand the full amount? I also have other cases I lost totaling close to 40K. If I can't get them ALL to settle for less, then I will have to file for bankrupcy.
This is major money on the table and it appears that you need an attorney. Collections are often settled at less than full amount but with this debt, it truly may be wiser to have an assertive attorney working on your side take the lead on negotiating the debt down. You may have some leverage in your case but you need a professional to review all the details.
Depending on your jurisdiction you may already be in trouble. Do you live in a state where they can garnish your wages? If you don't know, you better check (before your paycheck is missing a giant chunk of it). If these were cases where you didn't appear (default judgement), this is why you (not just you) need to appear any time that someone attempts to sue you for anything.
Well, it was an open and shut case. They had ALL they needed from signed agreements, past monthly statements, etc, etc. I didn't need to waste money on a lawyer in a lost cause and so I just didn't prolong things by going to court. I mean....what was the point?
I'm not trying to prolong the agony *but* ....DID they have the evidence?? There could be a myriad of issues that could potentially change the legal landscape and that's why it's worth going through the process. (Be advised, I'm not trying to personalize it and "blame" you for any issue in regards to your individual case.) I'm aware of cases where individuals negotiated 30K down to $1,000 because of violations.
In the summons I asked that they provide me with all the paperwork to show I owed these credit card debts. They had ALL they needed to prove their case. Copies of the original signed contract from 10 years ago, copies of monthly statements right up to my last payment, signed statements from the collection agency purchasing the debt from the OC. EVERYTHING.
