My roommate received a summons for me from an attorney representing JRS-I, my guess is that it's a collection company. It says I have to appear this coming
Friday in Cook County court (IL) to answer the charge. Now, I realize it's for an old credit card debt that the company purchased that had quite frankly fallen off my radar. Yes, it's more than the original debt and such, but honestly, my feeling is that I would rather just deal with paying it and avoid having to deal with going to court, as work obligations would make it tough. Can I just contact the attorney that filed it and make arrangements to pay and avoid the court aspect entirely? I am not disputing that the debt is mine (although it's from Massachusetts, but less than 7 years old), so I would be held accountable. Any advice would be welcome.

Hello Billy:

So, what do you want to do? On the one hand, you say you want to take care of it. Then on the other you ask if you'd be held responsible for the debt if you went to court...

I couldn't say if you'd win, but my guess is you won't. Professional collection lawyers don't go to court unless they KNOW they're going to get paid... Would YOU? If you gamble and lose, you'll probably owe TWICE what the debt now is, after they add courts costs and more legal fees.

But, I LIKED your first suggestion... YES, you CAN settle the debt. Plus, If you have CASH, and you're a good negotiator, you can probably settle for HALF what the debt is now.

If you're a REAL GOOD negotiator, you can probably get it off your credit report too.

excon

Wow. Quick response! I would rather just pay it as I have the means to. My big question is can I contact this attorney and deal with it that way and avoid the court thing entirely? I of course would try to negotiate, I spent years cleaning up my credit by doing the same and rather enjoy it, but would pay it all if I could get rid of the issue. Does the attorney have the power to make the summons go away and negotiate payment?

Does the attorney have the power to make the summons go away and negotiate payment?Hello again, billy:

Of course!

excon

Attorney may make arrangements, or they may just wait for court get their judgement and use paycheck garnishment as their payment plan

I received a court summons for an old credit card debt . It says to serve a copy of my wriiten answer within 30 days . What am I suppose to answer from my reading I have read that I need to ask them to prove the debt ? I did not agree to pay the lawyer and if there is no court date on the summons this may be in my favor . It also says to send a cease and decit letter to the lawyer . I guess my main question is if I go to the clerk of court what am I suppose to bring with me when I go ?

Hello blue:

I don't know what you want to DO!! If you want to FIGHT, and it's NOT your debt, file this: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-law/fyi-sample-notice-intent-defend-136192.html.

If you OWE the money and have NO defense, you don't lose MORE by not answering, so I wouldn't.

You're not going to learn how to defend the suit here. What you CAN do, is get some cash and negotiate a settlement. Short of that, there ain't nothing TO do.

excon