Ohio Credit Card Debt Lawyer
Being sued for credit card debt can be incredibly stressful. But the credit card debt lawyers of Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help. Our firm only represents consumers – never banks, credit card companies, or collections agencies. We work tirelessly to advocate for the rights of individuals struggling with crushing debt. Our attorneys will do whatever is needed to help you get a fresh start on the path toward financial health.
If a credit card company is suing you for unpaid card balances, you may have options for resolving the suit and controlling your finances. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a free initial consultation with a credit card debt lawyer about your legal options.
Can You Be Sued For Credit Card Debt in Ohio?
Your credit card company can sue you for an unpaid account balance in Ohio. Once you have failed to make payments on your credit card for a few months, the credit card company may take one of several actions to resolve your account. These actions may include the following:
- Offering you a reduced lump sum payment or payment plan to recover the unpaid balance
- Selling your account to a collections company
- Filing a lawsuit to get the due balance
What To Do if a Credit Card Company Sues You
If a credit card company sues you for an unpaid debt, you should not ignore the lawsuit. If you don’t respond, the credit card company can obtain a default judgment and begin garnishing your wages or bank account to collect on the judgment. Steps to take after you receive notice that the credit card company is suing you include the following:
- Respond — You must respond to the complaint by filing an answer with the court within the court’s deadline. This deadline for Ohio municipal, county and ordinary pleas courts are 28 days after being served the complaint and summons, but the deadline can be even shorter in other courts. If you don’t respond to the complaint promptly, the credit card company can obtain a default judgment. Seek an attorney quickly for help in answering within the deadline.
- Collect relevant documentation — You should also gather your credit card agreement, monthly statements, and other relevant documents, such as correspondence with the credit card company or a collections agency.
- Talk to a debt attorney — A credit card debt lawyer may help you resolve your debt without suffering a judgment, such as by negotiating a payoff or payment plan with the credit card company. If you do not legally owe the debt or the other party has no legal right to collect the debt, your attorney can also defend you in court.
Defenses to Credit Card Debt Collection Lawsuits
When a credit card company is suing you, you shouldn’t assume you have no way to fight the lawsuit or win. Depending on the facts of your situation, you may have legal and factual defenses available to you to fight a credit card debt collection lawsuit, such as the following:
- The statute of limitations has expired, meaning the debt is too old to be enforced.
- The party suing you for a credit card debt does not own the debt.
- You paid the account in full, or the credit card company agreed to accept partial payment and waive the remaining balance.
- The unpaid credit card debt was from fraudulent charges with a stolen credit card or identity.
- The credit card debt was discharged in bankruptcy.
- You were not the account holder and have been sued in a case of mistaken identity.
How Can a Credit Card Debt Lawyer Help?
If you are facing a credit card debt lawsuit, you don’t have to face the credit card companies or collections agencies on your own. Instead, a lawyer can help you advocate for your rights and interests. Let a credit card debt attorney assist you in your case by:
- Thoroughly investigating your case, including recovering documents and other evidence
- Confirming that you owe the debt
- Identifying potential defenses available in your case, such as arguing that the debt is too old to be enforced or the party suing you does not legally own the debt
- Negotiating with the credit card company or collections agency to try to resolve your debt through a payment plan or partial payment
- Defending you in court when you have a viable defense against having to pay the claimed debt
Sued for Credit Card Debt? Contact a Credit Card Debt Lawyer in Ohio Today
When you are sued for credit card debt, there are steps you can take to protect your finances and future and get the help you need. ContactAmourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a no-obligation, confidential case evaluation with our firm’s credit card debt attorney. We can help you learn more about how to answer a credit card debt lawsuit and the steps you can take to resolve your debt successfully.