I am being sued by a creditor
I am from Las Vegas, NV and I am being sued by a creditor, Midland Funding, LLC, who purchased my old debt with a credit card company, Citibank. I went through a very rough divorce in 2006, and lost 2 homes (our primary residence and a rental) in the same year through a Foreclosure. That is when I was just going through everything so chaotic, and gave up, that I just walked away from my debts, since I figured, I have nothing to lose now. Today, March 22, 2009, my boyfriend's brother called me and he said a man stopped by his house (which I have used for temporary mailing when I was in-between houses), and gave him an opened letter, stating I was being sued. He said the man took his name, but he did'nt sign for proof of receipt. First of all, they never came in a "sealed" package anymore? Where is the privacy? And the letter is stamped and dated January 15, 2009 and it stated "You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 20 days...If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 20 days after this Summons is served to you, exclusive of the day of service..."
I don't know what to do. I don't know if I should file something on my own as I have no money to pay an attorney, or should I just file bankruptcy to eliminate this? I thought that I was just going to wait for a few years and it will be washed out of my credit report?
Please, someone help me!