Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Alabama

American General Sent us a Summons.

We received a summons from American General Finance on a loan which we took out to purchase some furniture. We had a financial hardship including lost wages from work, and my wife was diagnosed with a serious disease which requires continuous and costly treatment. We do not dispute that the loan was taken out and we did fall behind on payments. When we were about two months behind on payments we contacted the creditor who told us to wait untill a lawyer contacted us and we would be able to resolve the matter. The lawyer sent a summons and we do not know what to do. An online search for summons turned up unsettling possibilities with wages being garnished. I am the only income provider and we receive no government help. If my wages are garnished I fear my wife's expensive medicines will not be able to be purchased and it is not an option for her to take her medicine. We would like to continue paying the debt as per the original agreement. We can not afford to pay out of pocket the balance of the loan. The home we live in is not ours and the bank owns our car What do we need to do to set this matter back on the track to being resolved? What can we expect from the summons? The summons has no court date on it either.


Asked on 1/20/09, 9:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randal Ford Ford Firm

Re: American General Sent us a Summons.

If the lawsuit was from DISTRICT Court you have 14 days to file an answer. If the lawsuit was from CIRCUIT court you have 30 days to answer. You will NOT receive a court date UNTIL you answer (which should buy you several months). File an answer DENYING you owe the debt. You may need to consider filing for bankruptcy but filing an answer WILL buy you time. Call me if you have questions. 205.752.4440 I don't mind answer questions on the phone.

Read more
Answered on 1/21/09, 12:10 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Credit, Debt and Collections Law questions and answers in Alabama