I received a summons asking for the relief of a debt. I don't know who or what debt. Should I get a lawyer?

Question

My summons is not signed by the "clerk of the court" (i am in cook county, chicago area )- based on what i read on the affidavit, the collection agency "purchased the account from the original creditor". I do not know what this is for - since the court date is schedule for next week, am i supposed to contact the attorney or the company to see what and how they got my information. I never received any notices from this collection agency. I do admit that i do not have the best credit and am making minimum wage. There are accounts on my credit report that are from 2000 thru 2003 , but i have been trying to pay them off. Where can i turn to for help? I cannot afford to pay the $2425.95 + cost as liisted in the summons.

What type of lawyer is necessary for this particular situation? And where should I search?

Answer 1

YES, get a lawyer. Most attorneys allow a free initial consultation, and they will tell you over the phone whether debt collection is an area of their practice. If it is not, they can refer you to a lawyer that does handle your kind of case.

Regardless, show up to court. If you are a no-show, the court will assume that you do owe the debt because you are not there to contest it. They will then garnish your wages until the debt is paid. A lawyer is a lot less expensive.

Good luck, honey.

Answer 2

It is absolutely feasible that Citi nonetheless owns the debt. Several of the big bank card businesses now not unload defaulted money owed. They would possibly rent assortment businesses however they do not promote the debt to the gathering company. You ought to reply to the summons inside the time allowed. Do no longer trouble with private drama. You would possibly wish to dispute the volume. But hold the reaction useful. If you simply admit to the debt, they're going to get a abstract judgment. Show up in court docket. You will normally turn out to be with a judgment however you can be in a position to restrict the volume. If you do not exhibit, the creditor gets a wide variety of extras further. The judgment can be utilized to garnish wages, connect financial institution money owed, and lien private estate. Typically the creditor will cross after garnishment or financial institution money owed. They wish coins no longer stuff. It might be very uncommon instances that the court docket might permit the creditor to go into your dwelling and take private property like furnishings or computer systems. They can lien your condominium however they would possibly not be in a position to foreclose. The lien might simply ought to be convinced when you promote or refinance the dwelling.

Answer 3

I'm not sure quite how to deal with it b/c they are summoning you to court. However, I know you have the right to validate the debt. Go to http://www.creditinfocenter.com/rebuild/debt_validation.shtml
It explains that the collection agency must show proof that the debt is owed. This means the original signed contract, etc. If this account has been purchased from the original creditor, it will be difficult for them to come up with this information. If they cannot come up with this, they cannot put this on your credit report and I am not sure if they can collect on it.

Answer 4

Contact the attorney whose name appears on the summons. They might be blowing smoke.

You can most likely go to the initial hearing and represent yourself if needed. But, I would contact the attorney that issued the summons and ask him/her for the details regarding the supposed debt. If they don't know the details, then remind them that there are laws against "frivolous lawsuits" and that it's possible to be disbarred for bringing a suit where there is no justification without facts.

Answer 5

do you have a volunary advice orginisation in the us like we have in the uk? try ringing the court

Answer 6

get an atty - and SHOW up to court