Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Illinois

How do I prepare for a court date Jan. 2; being sued by credit card co./law firm (debt charged off).

-Should I contact the law firm and try to settle in advance of the court date, or does that impact my chances of getting balance reduced ($13k)

-Sum appears to be inflated, but not able to confirm from the original creditor (the plaintiff, a law firm, included the last balance statement and two additional payments I made to them after the debt was charged off by the card co., and passed to the law firm). They, of course, added attorney's fees of $350.

-When I made the 2 payments to law firm in August, I told them I wanted to do a settlement. They were very unreasonable in their negotiations and spoke of $3k-$5k lump sums. I told them if they couldn't do a more reasonably monthly-type payment plan, the best chance of getting them a lump sum settlement would be after first of the year, after income tax returns.

-The firm continued to call relentlessly and finally sent the summons.


Asked on 12/19/13, 10:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

I would advise you to hire an attorney. He or she could get the case continued, and either defend the suit or negotiate a settlement that will save you more than the attorney costs. If you can't afford an attorney right now, show up in Court and ask the Judge for a continuance to get an attorney. Do not let the creditor's attorney talk you into signing anything.

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Answered on 12/21/13, 3:50 pm


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