Legal Question in Consumer Law in Georgia

I have some medical bills that exceeded my insurance that were sent to a collection agency because they would not accept what i could afford. The collection agency stated there min was 25.00 a month . While i was employed I paid it. Now I have been unemployed for the last 4 months and paid them 15.00. We got a phone call from the collection agency stating we were 75.00 behind that if we did not pay by the next day that we would be taken to court, and filed on our credit beaurau score.I paid her latting her know that the money came off my gas and food allowance. Do i have any rights here?


Asked on 12/02/10, 11:20 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

I am not sure what you mean by "rights," when you owe the debt and they apparently are willing to accept a payment rather than pursue you in court or otherwise for the entire amount right now. Those are their rights (aloing with reporting to the credit bureau), and you have the obligation to pay. Aside from that, you are likely wasting time with any settlement unless it is in writing. That includes any changes to the settlement or payment plan. If your question is whether you have a right to pay anything less than the full amount (regardless of your employment situtation), the answer is generally no unless you have a contract with them providing that.

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Answered on 12/07/10, 11:30 am
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

It is extremely foolish to speak to collectors and to send money you do not have. STOP talking to them.

While your only "right" is that you owe them in full, a lawyer may be able to assist you in how to negotiate the debt (or wipe it out in bankruptcy). See a lawyer immediately.

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Answered on 12/07/10, 5:22 pm


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