Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Illinois
I have a collection agency that tried this serve me papers for a medical debt I occurred a long time ago but i wasn't home. I didn't get served and haven't yet. I went in and paid the balance at the clinic. Now the collection agency wants $300 for court costs even though I haven't gone to court or been served papers. Can they still serve me for a debt I paid? Can I be held responsible for court costs? I live in Illinois if that matters.�
1 Answer from Attorneys
Legally, because of their agreement with the creditor medical provider, the agency
may have a legal basis for the court costs (likely filing costs, summons, etc). Perhaps
you could have included this issue when you paid the balance at the clinic.
Regardless, my advice is to NOT pay it, to see how far the agency will take the
matter. If they push it to the limit, you may decide that the best option is to pay
it, but usually such agencies will try to pressure payment but they should
realize that continuing to pressure you will cost them more, and they may
get some reimbursement from the medical provider. Pay it as a last option.