If you have unpaid debts, at some point the creditor or debt collector might sue you. While not all creditors will file a debt collection lawsuit, if you have income or assets that the creditor can grab, it's likely to sue you to get a judgment. But if you get served with a debt collection lawsuit, don't panic. The below articles explain how these lawsuits get started, what to expect in court, common defenses to creditor lawsuits, and how to negotiate a settlement once the lawsuit is filed.
And if the creditor gets a judgment against you, be sure to understand the different methods it can use to collect on the judgment. In some situations, you might be able to prevent the creditor from taking some (or any) of your income or assets.
Understand the procedures of a debt collection lawsuit.
If the collector or debt buyer can't prove it owns the debt, you may have a defense to a collection lawsuit.
Learn about defenses you may have if a debt buyer sues you to collect a debt.
With a debtor's examination, a judgment creditor can force you to answer questions about your finances under oath.
A creditor gets a judgment when it wins a lawsuit against you. Learn more.
Learn about the many ways creditors can collect on judgments.
Creditors can get information about your property through debtor's examinations, written questions, and court hearings.
You may be able to prevent collection of a judgment by negotiating with the creditor or claiming property as exempt.
Learn what a credit card judgment is and how a credit card company can get one.
The "statute of limitations" bars creditors from suing for unpaid debts after a specific amount of time.
Learn when you might get sued for delinquent credit card debt, steps in the lawsuit, and how to defend against it.
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At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.