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495 legal questions have been posted about collections by real users. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include debtor and creditor, and creditors rights. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
Collections Questions & Legal Answers - Page 5
Do you have any Collections questions page 5 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 495 previously answered Collections questions.
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Recent Legal Answers

I’ve won an alimony claim, but I am having difficulties and being evicted can I ask for an advance because it’s going to take a few months to receive

Answered 6 years and 11 months ago by attorney Sharon M. Siegel   |   1 Answer
You need to make a motion in the matrimonial case to expedite payment.  Your landlord does not have to wait, and it is not a defense to eviction.
You need to make a motion in the matrimonial case to expedite payment.  Your landlord does not have to wait, and it is not a defense to eviction.

Hired a lawyer to sue former employer. All parties decided on settlement terms. Mid settlement negotiations company filed chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Answered 7 years ago by attorney Sharon M. Siegel   |   1 Answer
Claims are paid in order of priority.  It is not inherent that yours should be paid now, but if you do not like your lawyer, fire him/her and get another.  Payments will be reported in monthly reports by the debtor.  If there is a creditors' committee, you might call that lawyer.... Read More
Claims are paid in order of priority.  It is not inherent that yours should be paid now, but if you do not like your lawyer, fire him/her and... Read More

How should I respond?

Answered 7 years ago by attorney Sharon M. Siegel   |   2 Answers
If a judgment has been entered you need to move to vacate it.  If a complaint has been filed, you need to answer it.
If a judgment has been entered you need to move to vacate it.  If a complaint has been filed, you need to answer it.

is it possible to protect my home etc aka assets

Answered 7 years and a month ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
To many variables to address to provide a response beyond you need to retain an asset protection or bankruptcy lawyer to review your situation. 
To many variables to address to provide a response beyond you need to retain an asset protection or bankruptcy lawyer to review your situation. 

If I get sick here in Florida and can't pay my medical bills will my live in boy friend be responsible for those bills?

Answered 7 years and a month ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
You - Florida does not have common law marriage. You should obtain insurance coverage as you could find immigration issues arise if you rack up unpaid medical care at a public hospital as a foreign national and overstay illegally or attempt to re-enter. 
You - Florida does not have common law marriage. You should obtain insurance coverage as you could find immigration issues arise if you rack up... Read More

I have been called at my job 3 times in one day by a collections agency from household bank

Answered 7 years and 2 months ago by Patrick Johnson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
Send a certified letter to the collection agency demanding to stop calling you. Do not send any money.
Send a certified letter to the collection agency demanding to stop calling you. Do not send any money.

so according to the fair debt collection act , all i would need to do is send a certified letter to the collection agency and say to stop calling me a

Answered 7 years and 2 months ago by Patrick Johnson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
You can stop them from calling you by sending the certified letter. You only stop the garnishments by filing a slow pay motion with the court.
You can stop them from calling you by sending the certified letter. You only stop the garnishments by filing a slow pay motion with the court.

hello I need some information on the state of Florida’s wage garnishment laws I received a letter from the courts saying there is a judgment againstme

Answered 7 years and 2 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
You will need to spend some money at thgis point and retain a lawyer ASAP. Unfortunately, if you ate not HOH your subjective view that you can't afford to pay what you owe by a judgment is likely to be of little concern legally. 
You will need to spend some money at thgis point and retain a lawyer ASAP. Unfortunately, if you ate not HOH your subjective view that you can't... Read More

I’m not sure what type of lawyer I would need to get help with hospital debt

Answered 7 years and 3 months ago by attorney Hon. Max L Rosenberg   |   1 Answer
You can apply for hospital bed-funds which is a type of grant/charity program that the hospitals have to offset their costs. You could also file a chapter 7 bankruptcy to avoid all the unsecured debt entirely.  If you would like more information, we would be happy to speakwith you further and assist you in whatever direction you choose. 203.870.6700... Read More
You can apply for hospital bed-funds which is a type of grant/charity program that the hospitals have to offset their costs. You could also file a... Read More

when my vehicle was repossessed my wallet was in the car along with bank cards, credit cards, driver license, social security cards for family.

Answered 7 years and 4 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
YOu have a right to retrieve those items. They also have a right to inventory them. Allowing your walltet to stay in your car with such valuable information is simply foolish. That stated, you may need to get a law enforcment officer to go with you get the items or hire a lawyer to sue them, at your expense initially, to get them back. Bear in mind, that some repo agents are underhanded and might just toss the items claiming they weren't in the car which is very difficult to deal with. ... Read More
YOu have a right to retrieve those items. They also have a right to inventory them. Allowing your walltet to stay in your car with such valuable... Read More

Hi, I went to the University of miami where you have to buy a parking pass. The pass was given to another girl with another license plate and she got

Answered 7 years and 4 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
First, don't make idle threats of "going to court". Noone is going to court over a $125.00 charge so dont be silly - gets you hung up on. Second, how was this "given to another girl?" If it was a mistake from UPD pr parking services, then THAT is where you need to go to get this sorted as they can see your tag and her tag are different and registered separately. ... Read More
First, don't make idle threats of "going to court". Noone is going to court over a $125.00 charge so dont be silly - gets you hung up on. Second, how... Read More

steps to follow after adjudication for damages

Answered 7 years and 5 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
No idea as your question makes no sense- if you havea judgment you will need to enforce that by other legal means. 
No idea as your question makes no sense- if you havea judgment you will need to enforce that by other legal means. 

what documents along with the order to show case do i include in serving the other party

Answered 7 years and 5 months ago by attorney Sharon M. Siegel   |   1 Answer
Whatever you filed, including exhibits, plus the signed order.
Whatever you filed, including exhibits, plus the signed order.

I have received a summons for a non payment of a second mortgage taken in 2005. in FL . What do I do?

Answered 7 years and 6 months ago by Mr. Guy Piers Coburn (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
It is difficult to give you recommendations without seeing the paperwork, but I will do what I can.  The statute of Limitations in Florida is usually 5 years on a written instrument, but a recent Florida Supreme Court case considered each payment on a mortgage to effectively have its own limitations period.  In effect, there's a good chance that you may not owe any payments which were due more than 5 years before suit was filed, but you likely owe the rest.  It may be a complex calculation to figure out what is owed.If possible, you should hire an attorney to represent you.  If you can't afford an attorney, then you should send in a written Answer to the Complaint, responding to each numbered paragraph.  You should also include, as an "affirmative defense" that some or all of the debt is exc;uded by the Statute of Limitations.... Read More
It is difficult to give you recommendations without seeing the paperwork, but I will do what I can.  The statute of Limitations in Florida is... Read More

I deposited an insurance proceeds check received to repair my house. To my surprise a garnishment order from an old debt for $4,120.07 was executed.

Answered 7 years and 6 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
You will likely need to spend some money to hire a lawyer to address this and keep the creditor from taking advantage of you and to minimize you botching things up further.
You will likely need to spend some money to hire a lawyer to address this and keep the creditor from taking advantage of you and to minimize you... Read More

How can we get a re-evaluation of a civil court judgement on civil case already decided.

Answered 7 years and 6 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
She will need to retain a lawyer in Washington State. 
She will need to retain a lawyer in Washington State. 

I have a civil action summons on a loan I signed for my mother in law for a dental health issue, the letter gives me 20d to respond but no info on wh

Answered 7 years and 6 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
You are beiung sued for the money owed, its not a settlement offer.You needto retain a lawyer to respond immediately. 
You are beiung sued for the money owed, its not a settlement offer.You needto retain a lawyer to respond immediately. 

How do I get a collection firm to reduce the amount that I feel I don't owe? They garnished my wages and now they have vacated that and turn it over.

Answered 7 years and 6 months ago by attorney Sharon M. Siegel   |   1 Answer
If you owe it, you are going to have to pay.  You can demand an accounting but 35 years of interest is a lot.
If you owe it, you are going to have to pay.  You can demand an accounting but 35 years of interest is a lot.

I need an attorney to represent me in court. This involves a civil suit fron WellsFargo about a credit card.

Answered 7 years and 7 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
Unfortunately, most such defense cases involve legal fees paid by the client, which it seems you do not have the ability to do. You may want to contact local legal aid and seeif they can help if you qualify.
Unfortunately, most such defense cases involve legal fees paid by the client, which it seems you do not have the ability to do. You may want to... Read More

I have a deceased friends car on my property. The loan company was notified 2 days after his death.

Answered 7 years and 7 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
You need to retain a lawyer and have the car properly towed off the property with a tow service. 
You need to retain a lawyer and have the car properly towed off the property with a tow service. 

I need help to ciollect on $6000 loan I made to a person Z I have the copy of the check I wrote.

Answered 7 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hon. Max L Rosenberg   |   1 Answer
I suggest filing suit in Small Claims Court for up to $5,000.00. Or you can sue in Superior Court for the full amount. Do you have a loan agreement or contract? 
I suggest filing suit in Small Claims Court for up to $5,000.00. Or you can sue in Superior Court for the full amount. Do you have a loan agreement... Read More

Am I liable for a debt sold to a third party collection agency - AL

Answered 7 years and 7 months ago by Mr. Matthew Anderson Dunaway (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
These types of cases are very common.  It is perfectly legal to sell a debt to a 3rd party and that 3rd party can then sue to collect.  The good news is that, if handled properly, these types of cases can be successfully defended (and often won) in Court.  Please feel free to call or email me if you would like to discuss your case in detail.  ... Read More
These types of cases are very common.  It is perfectly legal to sell a debt to a 3rd party and that 3rd party can then sue to collect.  The... Read More

I took out a title loan (first mistake), them I lost my job. They repossessed my car and told me I had to pay 7500 to get it back help?

Answered 7 years and 8 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
I bet I know who the title loan company is, and it has a fishy name. There is no title loan that is legitimate that should have a $7500.00 payoff with a 4,000.00 loan in a 3 week period. Problem is suing such a company civilly is expensive and high risk. You shoudl make a complaint with the Attorney General and the OFR,and see if that gets any result. You might not be able to avoid to issue about the repo as you have no means to repay the loan under its terms, but you can certainly address them skiming extra money from you over the money and interest the woud be entitled to for the 1 month loan. ... Read More
I bet I know who the title loan company is, and it has a fishy name. There is no title loan that is legitimate that should have a $7500.00 payoff... Read More

I received a Final Judgment 5/6/2013 against an individual who was at fault in an auto accident. How difficult would it be to collect on this matter?

Answered 7 years and 8 months ago by attorney Mark Tischhauser, Esq.   |   1 Answer
Good luck......there is reason why lawyers wont pursue such cases absent highly collectible defendants. 
Good luck......there is reason why lawyers wont pursue such cases absent highly collectible defendants. 

I can’t pay my student loans from ITT, is there any legal action I can take?

Answered 7 years and 9 months ago by Patrick Johnson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
There are some companies that assist in helping with student loans. Reach out to one of these for assistance.
There are some companies that assist in helping with student loans. Reach out to one of these for assistance.
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