Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Florida

The summons is pretty clear. He has 20 days to answer the allegations in the complaint. No answer means the creditor can obtain judgment by default. If he has a legal defense, he needs to raise the defense in his answer. (Not being able to afford the payments is not a legal defense.)

He wants to avoid a judgment. He might be able to work out a payment plan with the law firm (he should not contact the creditor) but he (not you) needs to get on the phone. With all due respect, if you can afford to help him out with money, then that should be the extent of your involvement. If you cannot, then you should not be involved at all, except of course for moral support. It's possible that he can find help at the local Legal Aid or even a law school clinic. Good luck.