I have a court date coming up on April 23. I am being sued by Mann Bracken on behelf of Chase. I owe them $8,200.00. I am self employed and have two bank accounts one for personal and one for business. I live in Nashville, Tennessee and work in the music business. I have so many questions. I am in a state of panic right now.

1. What can expect when I go to court??

2. What should my defense be??

3. I have tried to find a laywer to take my case. If anyone knows of a quilified lawyer in Tennessee please point them my way.

4. I would like to set up a payment plan with Mann Bracken or Chase but no one seems to want to deal. Business has been real slow lately and I just can't afford the settlement offers they are making.

5. I have been advised to go to court and ask for a slow pay but I probably couldn't even afford that right now.

6. Last question, I owe other credit card companies a total of about $32,000.00 or so and haven't been able to pay on them in over a year. I own my house or at least the mortgage company does I am current on my mortgage and all my utilties just busniess had been really bad for the past year but it is starting to pick up. Bankruptcy is out of the question. I have looked to consumer credit counseling and have heard and read mixed review about them. Any suggestions on this path?

Sorry for such rambling, I am just freaked out about everything. Thanks in advance to everyone and anyone that can help me with some advice.

Seth

Given the level of your debt, you need to get a bankruptcy lawyer QUICKLY.

I was in the same situation with Mann Bracken and Chase. Are you going to court or arbitration? If it is arbitration. It is really confusing. I even borrowed the money and sent it to Mann Bracken by way of cashier checks. At the last moment Mann Bracken informed me that the checks weren's any good and my file still went to arbitration. The are just crazy, you can't deal with them. (The checks were cashier checks-of course they were good and I did win in arbitration. But Mann Bracken kept calling me and asking when I planned on paying them.) Bankruptcy isn't good but I never found an attorney that offered any other choice. I was lucky, I was able to borrow the money to pay them off. If you send any messages to Mann Bracken, sent them by way of e mail. I discovered that it is hard to prove the content of a leter if it is sent by certified mail. Email is better proof. Good Luck.

I believe, To each his own. You wrote: " Bankruptcy is out of the question." Why? It is easier on costs and emotions than what you are going through now.

Hello Sethi1234,

If you think you'll going to make good money from now on, Make an appointment with a debt counseling company, many of them non profit. They'll asses your details and suggest you'll eligible for the payment plan they offer. They'll combined all your debt and call them to reduce the rates and fees etc. and accept the good offer.

Also, consult the bankruptcy attorney for free as well for your next option.

Initial advice are free but you have to take action NOW