Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
I am in Allegheny County PA and I think a collection agency is trying to serve me through registered mail. My understanding is that a case like this has likelt been lodged with a district magistrate rather that in the Court of Common Pleas. If this is the case, what is the maximum dollar amount that can be heard in front of a magistrate?
2 Answers from Attorneys
the maximum amount has been raised to $12000 as of the beginning of this year. Once the lawsuit arrives, please consult a consumer attorney, whether it is my firm or another firm, for a free case review. Debt collection lawsuits are very often successfully defended. Unless the case is of pretty low value, you DO NOT want to try to settle.
Correction - you do not want to try to settle this on your own. It is unlikely that a collection agency is actually suing you unless the agency is also a junk debt buyer. However, the only way to know is to wait for the complaint. If the post office has it, claim it.
Depending on who is suing you and whether you have any valid defenses, you may want to litigate. If that is the case, consult with Attorney Artim or another lawyer who does litigation.
If you have no valid defenses and you have other debts, perhaps bankruptcy is the best option depending on your circumstances.
However, if bankruptcy will not work and you do not wish to litigate, most debts can be resolved for approximately 50% to 80% of the amount that they are suing for. Again, whether you should settle depends on your situation.
Once you receive the complaint, get your situation reviewed by an attorney so that you will know your options. I give free consults via email. Please contact me at [email protected] if interested.
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