A debt collector is has issued a court summons for me in an attempt to collect an $800 debt. I contacted their legal representation and they want approximately $1200 to settle, including legal and filing fees.

Am I obligated to pay legal and filing fees? Can I refuse and only agree to pay the original debt? Do I have any options?

Tell us more about the original debt. Who and why did you owe the money and when. When was your last payment or acknowledgement of the debt?

You are obligated to pay what a court orders you to pay. It is perfectly legal for them to attach interest, and legal fees to the debt.

You can make a counter offer, but they don't have to accept either. If the debt is valid and they can prove it they can go ahead to court and win a judgement for the whole amount.

To advise further we need to know more details.