Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Ohio

I got a letter from a lawyer collecting debt I owed for a medical bill. Now that a lawyer has been retained, can I pay off the medical bill directly to avoid the fee the lawyer tacked on the bill, or do I have to pay the lawyer? Do I write the check to the lawyer or the medical billing company? Also, can they legally retain a lawyer to collect debt from me?


Asked on 12/22/09, 10:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Michael Benson Benson Law Firm

Everyone is entitled to retain a lawyer to pursue their legal rights. But having to pay a legal fee is not automatic. You may attempt a compromise by offering a lump-sum payment of a portion of the debt to resolve the matter. If you mention you are considering bankruptcy, you can gain some leverage and may be able extinguish the entire debt for a total payment of 40-75 percent of the balance.

If your debt is significant and you are having trouble making ends meet, you may want to consider bankruptcy. For a free bankruptcy consultation, call 216-241-2510.

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Answered on 12/29/09, 4:34 pm


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