[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.

[JudyKayTee]

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.

[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. :)

[JudyKayTee]

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.

[ScottGem]

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.

[GreenBird]

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