Remember, the law office that has filed suit on behalf of their client against you is looking out for their client’s best interest, not yours.

Why should I hire a lawyer if I can work something out with them myself?

Sometimes the opposing party’s lawyer will negotiate a settlement on behalf of their client and “settle” the debt knocking off a percentage of what you may owe.   Sounds good, right? Here are some of the possible pitfalls:

• You may have legal defenses and valid counterclaims against the debt collector.
• The amount they may be suing your for could include amounts not legally collectible.
• Their lawsuit could be outside of the Statute of Limitations, which is the amount of time determined by law that they have to file a lawsuit against you for that debt.
• They may not have the documentation to prove you actually owe the debt.
• They may record your telephone conversations and use any statements made by you against you.
• They may have you sign a “consent judgment”.