What to do when sued for debt - Weatherford, Arlington, North Texas
If you’ve been served papers saying that you’re being sued, it can be a horrible experience.
I hope you’ll remember the moment you read this as the beginning of the end of your stress. I’m James Foley, PLLC, and I am a licensed debt relief agent. Call me and I can discuss the following with you, or you can read through yourself and then phone me at 817-738-1633.
The first thing that you need to know is that civil debt is rarely a criminal issue. It is unlikely that you would go to jail. If you are concerned please call me at 817-738-1633
If you do decide that my services are worthwhile, it could mean the beginning of the end for your debt troubles. And I’m excited to bring you to that point. No matter what debt you’ve accumulated, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a second chance.
Let’s talk about what you should do:
1. Address the serviced court notice, and any other similar notices immediately.
If you haven’t felt brave enough to confront your debts, this is the time to get yourself in shape and get on it. Clients from Weatherford to Arlington TX have taken their fate into their own hands.
Waiting to reply to the court summons can be detrimental to our efforts to clear your name. Many cases have time limits as short as 14 days for you to take action. Failing to take action is as good as giving up.
Don’t give up! You can still right this ship with the right plan.
2. Determine the legitimacy of the summons and your ability to pay.
If you don’t recognize the bank or credit card that’s taking legal action against you, it’s possible that you may have had your identity stolen. If that’s the case, the court will need to be made aware. I can show you the procedure, and I can do my best to make sure you’re off the hook for someone else’s criminal activity. It is also possible that you are being sued by a debt buyer, a company that purchases bundles of charged off debt and sues en masse. Either way you must deal with the issue.
NOTE: If you are getting solicitation letters from my competitors then the Court’s online website is displaying your case. It is in fact a legitimate lawsuit and you need to deal with it.
(Check your credit report for fraud at www.annualcreditreport.com.)
If you do recognize the lender who is suing you, it’s most likely a debt buyer. Companies like Midland Funding and Portfolio Recovery will purchase large bundles of debt for pennies on the dollar. There are a number of evidentiary issues that creep up when trying to authenticate someone else’s documents.
Another factor to evaluate is whether or not you can pay off this debt with more time. I can help you evaluate your case, and tell you whether to fight, settle, or file bankruptcy. Either way, everything will be OK.
If you do recognize the plaintiff, and do not have an ability to pay off your debt, then we need to talk about bankruptcy. This is not a death sentence, though. It’s your opportunity for a fresh start.
3. The “B” Word -- Don’t be afraid!
Two or three hundred years ago, England had notorious debtor’s prisons, where a person could be sent to work off their debt for all of eternity. In modern times, we’ve luckily updated our process for paying off debts, and it gives you the opportunity to get back on your feet.
Bankruptcy is a scary word, but a fairly straightforward process. I’ve guided multiple clients from Arlington, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Granbury, White Settlement, Aledo, Weatherford, and Azle through this process. As long as you’re considering bankruptcy in Texas, I’m here to advise you and get your name cleared.
By now you’ve likely heard a heaping load of opinions on the topic of Bankruptcy. You no longer have to endure the talking heads. We’ll sit down in person at my Fort Worth offices, or over the phone, and talk about your options, namely chapter 7 versus chapter 13.
From vehicle repossessions suits to loan deficiency suits, I’ll discuss your financial situation, and if Bankruptcy is your best option, we’ll begin the process.
The Light at the end of the Tunnel
When you evaluate the differences between chapter 7 and 13 with me, we’ll hopefully be able to register you for chapter 7, which allows you to retain assets, discharge most types of debt, and move on with your life.
We’ll use a calculator to determine your eligibility, discuss the assets you may wish to retain or part with, and the best plan for you moving forward.
So whether you’re looking to discuss bankruptcy options in Weatherford, Arlington TX, or Fort Worth, call me today at 817-738-1633, and let’s put our best foot forward.