Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
Debt Question
My doctor's office is trying to sue me for non-payment. Unfortunately, I didn't get any of the notices until the case was filed! I am more than willing to pay the amount, but I don't know my options. If that wasn't enough, my home was broken into and among the things taken was - the notice I had received on what I was supposed to do next. What legal forms must I file? What is my next step?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Debt Question
Sorry your home was burglarized. Was this lawsuit filed by the doctor or by a collection agency? Very important. If you know which court the case was filed in, visit the clerk's office and purchase a copy of the complaint. If you don't, you can search the index for your name at any LA County courthouse and obtain the correct courthouse and case number. If the amount is at significant, or the case involves a collection agency, or the debt is over four years old, call me (or another lawyer). If you do nothing, a default judgment is entered, and you have a copy of the police report, you could theoretically file to have a default judgment set aside, although I don't recommend this. You have 30 days from the date you were served to respond to the lawsuit. Don't call or talk to the people who are suing you, at least not without consulting an independent lawyer.