Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in New Jersey

Your girlfriend should file an Answer to the Complaint. Is she being sued in the regular civil part (docket number starts with L) or Special Civil Part (docket number starts with DC)? If Special Civil Part, the filing fee is only $15 (see the summons). If regular civil, the filing fee is $135 so obviously this will make a bigger dent in her wallet. Once she files an Answer, it will be a contested case and will give her time to try to resolve the matter with the plaintiff's attorney. She has 35 days to file an Answer. Before filing an Answer, she can still try to resolve the matter with the plaintiff's attorney, but beware that this does not protect her rights and as the 35 days approaches she should file an Answer. I caution her and you that it is definitely NOT a good idea to ignore this lawuit. She should seek the advice of an attorney who knows how to negotiate settlements of these types of matters. I handle these types of matters all the time. Also, if she has other significant debts besides this, she could also consider a bankruptcy filing if appropriate. Tell your girlfriend that she should feel free to call me for assistance if she would like.