What happens when a creditor takes you to court for an unpaid bill?

Question

I was just served court papers for a hospital bill $1300.00. The court date is April 10. I was wondering what happens in these matters? My debt to income is $ -712.46 a month how do they expect me to pay it? Will they garnish my wages?

I do not have any bank accounts (I owe banks money) my debt is as follows:

House $730.46
Utilities $250.00
Gasoline $200
Childcare $800
Car $300
Food $450

I pick and choose what I pay each month.

I have no credit card payments and no internet or cable or luxery. I have student loans in forbarance.

Answer 1

1st-- you must contact them TODAY!! This could help it from going to court. If you make an arrangement with them, that would be the best.

2nd-- If for some reason you dont go to court, they will win a judgement by default & can & will garnish and/or freeze accounts, place leins etc... since you were not there to defend yourself.

3rd-- you should be able to apply for aid from the hospital due to your income. They could end up writing the whole thing off for you. Contact the hospital, they should have a special department for that in the billing section.

4th-- you need to completely redo your finances. If you are negative $712/month, there is something seriously wrong there, & is very soon going to get worse. You may be a candidate for bankruptcy.

Answer 2

They will most likey try to garnish your wages. You state that your debt to income is $-712.46 a month. However, that is not what they go off of. They take your monthly earnings and allow specific amounts for "essential" living expenses. If you have other credit card or debt they do not count that as essential. After they figure your earnings after these deductions they can take up to 25% of that amount in the garnishment.

If they find you do not have enough to garnish they will put a freeze on your Bank Account(s) and hold any IRS refunds you may get.

BTW if your monthy amount is really -712 a month you need to either talk to a debt counslor or worst case an attorney and consider bankruptcy.

Answer 3

First of all you have to answer the summons or else they will get a default judgment against you.

They can garnish your wages (in some states), empty your bank accounts, and put liens on your home and other assets.

They may be willing to negotiate a settlement with you before you actually to go court.

You may also be judgment proof if you have very low income and very few assets. Check your State's debtors' rights to see what assets are exempt from creditors in your State.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I have similar problems with medical debts. After you lose the case they have all the rights to put a lein on your property or garnish your wages. Since your debt is only about $1300, I suggest you discuss a payment plan with them. Given your circumstances, you may have to negotiate a good deal. They would rather get paid then get nothing at all. So just stay strong and good luck!

Answer 5

Make sure you go to court. Bring any proof of living expenses, student loan information and especially childcare. The court will more than likely come up with a payment plan, like $50 bucks a month or something.


Good luck, you'll be ok.

P.S. Bring your kids with you to court, dress appropriately, but not anything expensive- no jewlery or anything.

Answer 6

I searched across the net and found loads of scams. After all this was usefull for me: loanhome.info-

RE What happens when a creditor takes you to court for an unpaid bill?

I was just served court papers for a hospital bill $1300.00. The court date is April 10. I was wondering what happens in these matters? My debt to income is $ -712.46 a month how do ...show more

Answer 7

what happens when you are not sure you had service. meaning what if someone signed for documents and you were not told ? How do you find out who was served if any one Should not a signature be obtained to show proper service?

Answer 8

Maybe make you pay Small payments..