I have been making monthly payments on time every month to a law firm for a debt. A few weeks ago I received a letter saying they couldn't take my check because of pending legal action. They said I didn't make a payment the month before. I told them I had, and I had proof that the check had cleared in my bank. They admitted they made a mistake after faxing them a copy of the check. Since then they have garnished my bank account and for the past week I have had absolutely no money (and I have two young kids). They have told me they have sent a release but my bank knows nothing about it. What can I do? Shouldn't I be reimbursed for all of my trouble? PLEASE HELP ME

You can't be reimbursed for your "trouble." You apparently owe these people money and they are trying to collect it.

If they have notified the bank but the bank knows nothing about the release, then you have to go to the law firm, pick up a copy of the release and give it to your branch of the bank, requesting that it be forwarded to headquarters.

The law firm can at any time decide it doesn't want to take your checks and move against your assets if it has a Judgment UNLESS - and this may be the case - there is a signed agreement not to do so.

The law firm is spending time and money receiving, posting and forwarding your money to the creditor and often law firms refuse to do so.