I’m being sued for a debt of $1,002 something that got out of hand but is within my means to pay off now. It’s from my first credit card, which I forgot about after maxing it out at $600. Not my best decision, but I can cover this amount now. What should I do to avoid going to court?
Thank you all for your advice! As of tomorrow, I will have paid off the debt. I contacted the collections firm, arranged a check, and now I’m $1,002 lighter but feel relieved and free from that burden and anxiety. I was fortunate to have a relatively straightforward situation, and I’ve definitely learned my lesson.
Join the myfico.com community to receive first-rate support. Before the case goes to trial, you can negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the debt collector. However, I think you should answer the summons don’t disregard it. After payment, the debt collector’s lawyer will update court documents to reflect the out-of-court settlement.
You pay it off by giving your account number to the debt collecting firm over the phone. The courts will be notified, and it will be dropped. Simple, simple.
I was served with a $5,000 fine nearly five years ago. Worried, hired a lawyer, believing it would be beneficial. We were able to negotiate the removal of almost $2,000, and I was given a zero-interest repayment schedule. The lawyer sucked and cost me approximately $2,000, and I didn’t even let him come to court with me because I simply felt it would cost me a buttload more money- the $2,000 was basically just for a few emails and a 5min phone chat or two.
Simply pay it, in my opinion. Without a doubt, avoid going the legal path.
It is not a good idea to file a lawsuit for debt. I work as a paralegal, so I know how expensive attorney expenses can be. However, several provide no-cost consultations during which you can ask any question. They can even advise you on how to go about handling it on your own.
Yes, that was a terribly stupid thought. I became frightened. Maybe I didn’t choose a great attorney either! After our complimentary consultation, he said, “Yes, I should be able to help you,” so I signed a retainer and, well, you know the rest. 
I just consider myself fortunate that I didn’t get any worse off in the end.
The summer before our wedding, I got served, so we decided not to go on our honeymoon in Bali and instead traveled to Mexico to see family. Although it was the perfect choice, I haven’t visited Bali despite being married for five years this year! We currently have a toddler and are expecting a new child. Perhaps on our tenth wedding anniversary!
Oh no, if I could, I would watch your kids for you. You must visit Bali! It takes a lot of work to care for my 21-month-old. However, I totally understand your panicking. Being sued is an intimidating experience. Being a paralegal, when it happened to me, I lost all mental clarity.
Aww, thank you! I think we’ll go one day and call it our honeymoon. Lol. At the time, we were living with my mother-in-law to save up for a house, and she ended up receiving the papers. It was so embarrassing. I hadn’t told my husband about the debt because it had been sold to collectors years ago, and they had stopped contacting me. I was hoping it would never come up again, and for a while, it didn’t! But eventually, it did resurface, and now I make sure not to let any debts or bills go unpaid. We’re still working on paying down debt (mostly my husband’s now, which he informed me about beforehand), but it’s going well, and I have a detailed spreadsheet. I’m no longer afraid to call companies and settle things. It was definitely a learning experience.
Congratulations on your 21-month-old! The second birthday was so emotional for me; I couldn’t believe how quickly time passed. Mine will be 2.5 on Thursday 
She started talking shortly after her second birthday and is now such a chatterbox! It’s so much fun.
Whether or not they have previously paid it off will determine this. They sold it to whoever is now collecting on it if they charged it off. The collection agency is paid by you.
You can make payment to the original creditor if they haven’t charged it off.
In any case, your credit report most likely already has a record of it.
Just give them a call if you are able to pay and try to negotiate a smaller amount. Most likely, they will just pay it. Ask for the lowest amount possible—roughly $800—and work your way up from there. Request that they also send a letter verifying the arrangement.