Will they take you to court? I have this big bill of like 700 some odd dollars that I can't pay. If they can send you to court, how long do they wait?
2006-10-18 08:00:58 · 11 answers · asked by the_scrapbook_factory 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
They might, but more likely they have the right to take some valuable things from you to pay off the debt such as car, furniture, electronics, and finally the home.
2006-10-18 08:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, lets first take a look at if they will even try to take you to court.
Most collection agencies don't mess with debts under $500 because it's just not worth their time and expense. Remember they only get about 30% of what they collect, so it's not worth their time to make only $160. They are more then happy to just trash your credit and send you lots of nasty mail.
However, if they have an office near where you live, that will cut down on their expenses and they MAY consider suing you. But most of the folks I've worked with haven't been sued for such small amounts.
However your credit will take a hit. If you want to avoid that, remember this.....just because you paid a delinquent debt does not guarantee that it will be removed from your credit report. In most cases, all the creditor will do is show you paid, but the negative information about late payments and collections will remain on your history, and will have a bad effect.
Consider calling up the creditor and offering a reduced amount (start with $350), but demand that they agree up front, and IN WRITING that if you pay off the debt, they must remove the negative information from your credit history.
Otherwise, what's the point of paying it? Now you are broke but still have bad credit.
2006-10-18 09:08:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Woah - relax. Despite what some are posting here, you cannot go to jail for failing to pay a debt.
It's a civil issue - not criminal.
What will happen is the collection agency will harass you until you want to scream. That's their job. Drive you nuts until you pay. They will put notices on your credit report.
A creditor cannot garnish your wages unless a judge orders it. This even applies for the IRS.
For $700 they may or may not sue you....it's hard to tell. The amount is small and it might cost them more to go to court.
Your best bet is to call the collection agency and try to work out a settlement, either a monthly payment plan or a reduced overall fee.
If you do end up in court, and it is clear you cannot pay, the judge may impose a payment structure or if your financial situation is extremely dire, impose bankruptcy. In which case you are relieved of the debt (although your credit rating will take a nose dive).
Try and work out a compromise with the creditor...it's the easiest way. But don't worry, you won't go to jail.
2006-10-18 09:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by dg16443 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will depend.
One thing for sure, your credit scores and status will take a big hit that will impact your ability to access credit in the future like a car loan.
A creditor can take you to court. The court may order an arbitration where a method of paying will be worked out. Or, you could be sent to jail to pay off the fee with your time.
There are social agencies to help people with such matters. Some sort of consumer credit agency will work out a payment play that is oftentimes at a smaller interest rate than normal. Too, they can help with a budget and other bill payments.
2006-10-18 08:12:11 · answer #4 · answered by William T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, firstly is your credit in good standing? is this the only bill you owe? If your credit is already damaged, then paying off this bill, will not fix your credit score. Most companies do say that they will take you to court, however the cost for legal fees would then double if not triple the original amount that you owe. If I were you, I would pull my credit report and then go from there. There are many companies now that fix credit issues for little cost. Hope this helps
2006-10-18 08:07:04 · answer #5 · answered by yosie4me 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My credit score went way down cause I was just LATE 2 times.
If you don't pay you'll have a ghetto credit score.
It doesn't sound like enough to declare bankrupcy.
If you can't borrow on credit, you'll have to ask your folks
to help.
Better to do it now, cause if you wait much longer, the creedit score will be shot, and they will STILL take you to court anyway,
garnish your wages, and add like 300-400 dollars in court costs.
Have your mom and dad help you out, like, right now.......
2006-10-18 08:12:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they want to take it that far, they can!
I had a dentist bill for $75.00 that I didn't pay. They sent it to collections and then to an attorney! I ended up paying about $500.00 in the end! Pay the bill in payments now, before you really get screwed!
2006-10-19 04:55:28 · answer #7 · answered by someoneoutthere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before going to court they would garnish your wages. You would get a letter telling you and so would your employer. By law your employer has to deduct a certain percentage from your check every pay period until the debt is satisfied.
This happened to my daughter twice. Now she cannot get credit for anything.
2006-10-18 08:08:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to compromise with the agency, do not go to court, if u go to court and it becomes Court order to pay and u do not u are in contempt
2006-10-18 08:46:04 · answer #9 · answered by MRGQ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably they will (or have already) damaged your credit. You wont care now, but you will...and you will eventually pay (when you buy a home etc...) you may as well make a deal with them...negotiate for a lesser amount in exchange they wont report negative on your credit...get it in writing first! make payments...sure you can afford a few bucks a week. You made the bill...pay it.
2006-10-18 08:05:54 · answer #10 · answered by p s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋