Are You Being Sued by Scott & Associates?
Being the target of a debt collection lawsuit is almost always a scary situation. Nobody wants to receive a letter from a credit union or debt collector claiming you owe them money and now have to show up in court for it. And, despite what some may believe, ignoring the lawsuit can do more harm than good, and not just for your credit score. There are loads of issues that can come up if you refuse to respond to a lawsuit from an agency like Scott & Associates, including a default judgment or seizure of your assets.
Who is Scott & Associates?
Scott & Associates, P.C., a debt collection firm led by Michael J Scott and sometimes referred to as Michael J Scott, PC, is located in Carrollton, TX. Their annual practice involves initiating numerous lawsuits against consumers with the objective of recovering outstanding debt. While they may present payment plans as an option, failure to fulfill your debt obligations will result in legal action. Regrettably, unless you can consistently meet your payment obligations, there is no means of evading legal proceedings. It is probable that if your debt has been handed over to collections, the initial payment terms were unaffordable.
Who They Sue For?
Scott & Associates files debt collection lawsuits on behalf of numerous creditors. They specialize in collecting various types of unpaid debts, such as consumer credit card debt, medical debts, student loans, auto deficiencies, and small business debts. It’s important for consumers to be aware of their rights in these situations. “Debt collectors are legally obligated to send debt validation letters via mail and must cease all communication if requested to do so, as mandated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). However, if they fail to comply, you have the option to take legal action against them before they initiate any lawsuits against you.
Some of the creditors and collection companies Scott & Associates sue for include:
- LVNV Funding, LLC
- Conn Appliances, Inc
- Credit Corp Solutions Inc.
- Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
- Jefferson Capital Systems
- Bank of America, N.A
- Midland Credit Management, Inc.
- JP Morgan Chase Bank
- Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
- Capital One Bank
- NCB Management Services Inc.
- West Lake Financial Services (Debt Buyer)
- Resurgent Receivables, LLC
Why Should You Respond to a Scott & Associates Lawsuit?
If you don’t respond to a lawsuit, several things can happen, with the most prominent issue being a default judgment. A default judgment is when the defendant refuses to show up in court and the judge rules in favor of the plaintiff. In that case, your bank account can be garnished, property seized, or the judgment can cloud the title of your homestead property. Your credit score would be the least of your worries if a default judgment were to happen.
If you respond to a lawsuit, you have a chance to defend yourself in court. Scott & Associates may be willing to settle outside of court too to avoid any legal fees. However, if the debt doesn’t belong to you, then you’ll definitely want to get a lawyer to build your case and defend you in court. If your case is in district court, this often includes sending discovery requests to the creditor (the plaintiff) to provide the required documentation to prove the debt is owed by (the defendant). You might be able to counter-sue as well if Scott & Associates has violated any FDCPA laws.
Should I Hire an Attorney to Defend Me?
You don’t need an attorney to defend you in court, but it’s advisable to do so, especially in cases of credit card lawsuit defense. A good debt attorney will know their way around the system and will be able to advise you on the best route to take, whether that’s fighting the debt due to a lack of evidence, or settling the debt because the creditor has a good case against you.
Who Should You Hire to Defend Your Case?
If you’re being sued in a collection lawsuit in Texas, contact our law office for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys will be able to help you properly defend your case, often resulting in the best outcome possible for you, whether this is a cleared debt or a lower favorable settlement. Our law firm will help you respond to the case, forming your response in a way that may sway the court in your favor, and defend you in court. Tell us about your case before it’s too late; we’ll get you on the right path to redemption.
