Ask Me Help Desk - Received court summons

This is my first time on this site and I'm only have a couple of simple questions. Yesterday I was served with a court summons for an old debt that was filed by an attorneys office. Must admit I'm really scared.
This is a 3,000.00 Spiegel account and before it was sent to collections I did try to make a payment plan with them but their response was... this is unacceptable. I am 62 years old and not employed and I foolishly just let this slide.
My daughter, who lives across the country is going to try and get the money to pay this debt for me. I have 20 days to file an answer in court.
My question is, if my daughter can get this money should I contact the attorneys office to pay the debt or do I have to wait until court? Also if I pay the attorneys do I still have to go to the court?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBird

This is my first time on this site and I'm only have a couple of simple questions. Yesterday I was served with a court summons for an old debt that was filed by an attorneys office. Must admit I'm really scared.
This is a 3,000.00 Spiegel account and before it was sent to collections I did try to make a payment plan with them but their response was ....this is unacceptable. I am 62 years old and not employed and I foolishly just let this slide.
My daughter, who lives across the country is going to try and get the money to pay this debt for me. I have 20 days to file an answer in court.
My question is, if my daughter can get this money should I contact the attorneys office to pay the debt or do I have to wait until court? Also if I pay the attorneys do I still have to go to the court?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Is the debt within the Statute for your State? I don't know where you live. Is the amount correct?

You can always try to settle for less - they might take a smaller amount in order to settle if they think they will have to get a Judgment. They don't have to know your daughter is willing to help you out.

And the Attorney's office would take the payment - just make sure that you get a Release so they don't come after you for interest or Attorney's fees.

And don't beat yourself up - you sound like you are but it's a rough economy and when people post it's easy to see who is scamming and who is not and you certainly are not. Be grateful for your daughter's help.

Thank you Judy for the quick response. Yes, I am beating myself up for this. My poor hubby, whose name is not on the account at all, is going to be taking the fall for this. I don't remember exactly how much I owe them but I would rather just pay and be done with it instead of having to pay even more trying to fight it. I only hope I can come up with the money. And yes, my daughter is a treasure. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBird

Thank you Judy for the quick response. Yes, I am beating myself up for this. My poor hubby, whose name is not on the account at all, is going to be taking the fall for this. I don't remember exactly how much I owe them but I would rather just pay and be done with it instead of having to pay even more trying to fight it. I only hope I can come up with the money. And yes, my daughter is a treasure. :)

Again - don't beat yourself up. People make mistakes all the time. Yours just happens to be a financial one.

I would contact the Attorney and try to arrange a pay off for a smaller amount. If that fails you aren't out anything -

And, of course, you could pay the full amount and just end the "agony."

As far as fighting it - people do that all the time and I honestly don't see the sense of it. It takes time and money and energy, postpones the inevitable - and in the end unless there's something really unusual, you end up paying.

Good luck.

Most probably, the attorney purchased the debt for pennies on the dollar. Also most probably, the $3K amount includes interest and fees.

So, if you make them a lump sum offer of say $1500, they may accept it. If they don't then up the ante a little.

Thank you Scott. I will try this... IF I can get the money. I appreciate the suggestions and reassurance from you folks.