Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Missouri Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Collections for Missouri on
Q: I'm a liable for unpaid medical bills, student loan, and really any debt from my spouse that she accrued before marriage

We are not married yet. Just inquiring to see if it will affect my credit or if creditors will come after me for any of her debt prior to out union.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jul 24, 2023

Probably not but it may require pre-marriage planning and documents. Consult with attorneys who do pre-nuptial agreements.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: If I decide to negotiate a settlement for a debt prior to a scheduled hearing, what's the process?

Is there a benefit to getting an attorney vs. contacting the plaintiff's lawyer myself?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on May 9, 2023

If you hire an attorney experienced with debt settlement negotiations, you’ll increase your chance of not having a judgment, including a consent judgment entered against. If a payment plan is necessary, an attorney could negotiate a Rule 17 order and a “pocket” judgment.

2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I have an upcoming hearing for Order to Show Cause Why Judgment Should Not Be Revived for a credit card debt.

My sole income is pension and Social Security. At age 65, that's not going to change. Will a judge dismiss the order based on that?

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on May 8, 2023

No, not based on that reason. You need to attack the reasoning of the motion.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: Being sued for credit card debt. Can not pay. senior citizen on fixed income and dementia what are options
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 27, 2023

The options are

1. Meet with a bankruptcy attorney

2. Defend the lawsuit on the merits

3. Try to negotiate a settlement with a payment plan

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Missouri on
Q: If my medical debt was "sold" to a collection agency, that agency never sent me a letter

My medical debt was "sold" to a collection agency (the hospital owns the collection agency). I have never rec'd a bill from this collection agency but all of the sudden we rec'v a letter from a lawyer. Do they not have to notify you by mail of the debt? What do you do in this case?

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Mar 26, 2023

They are not required to notify you before having an attorney contact you.

You can contest the debt or negotiate a payment.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Collections for Missouri on
Q: Is there a way to respond to an alias summons? I just got served papers today for a court date that is 10 days away.

The summons is from Gamache & Myers for World acceptance corporation, AC Breach of Contract. Apparently they've been trying to serve me at an old address for like 6 months. It's from a loan that I supposedly took out in 2016, which attached is the unsolicited check I apparently... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 12, 2023

Why they waited is irrelevant. Unfortunately, a lot of interest can accrue in 6 years. If you were served then you need to appear in court or hire an attorney to prevent a default judgment. You can submit written discovery to learn the facts and supporting documents, if any.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Collections and Land Use & Zoning for Missouri on
Q: Okay we bought a pool through Blue world pools pretty much got scammed lien on home how can we get out of this ?

We live in Missouri and we want to know how can we get the lien off of our property the blue world pool is removable they can come get it we just want out of all of it they're ripping us off

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Nov 18, 2022

You will need to retain an attorney to determine whether you can get out of your contract.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections and Small Claims for Missouri on
Q: If a company has billed you incorrectly, is there a time frame where they can no longer try to obtain payment?

Back in 2018, I received financing from a company for a home improvement project. When the project was done, they billed me the remaining balance (which was less than what appears on the original contract). Beginning in June 2022, I have begun receiving phone calls saying I have an open balance.... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jun 21, 2022

The statute of limitations in Missouri for a written contract is 10 years. An oral contract has a 5-year SOL

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I am being sued by a debt collector. Can I respond in writing before court or do I respond in person at court?

I thought the original creditor dismissed this account as a hardship. I was surprised when a debt collector tried to collect on it, and now a different debt collector has bought the account and is suing to collect.

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 8, 2022

If the case is in the associate division then your mere appearance at court constitutes a general denial of the allegations. If you wish to assert affirmative defenses, you must plead them in writing.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Missouri on
Q: The hospital bill I've been paying an agreed apon amount needs to double or its going to collections according to them.!

They made me sign an agreement as to how much I'd pay amonth at the time. Can they do this?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 18, 2022

It’s hard to answer your question. I presume you are an adult and therefore responsible to honor your written commitments. I don’t understand how you were “made” to sign an agreement as opposed to having chosen to sign the agreement because you assessed the situation and viewed not... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections and Small Claims for Missouri on
Q: Can a small claims garnishment put a levy on all bank account of a head of household with three small children

Leaving them with no access to any funds and never attempted to go through current employer first for garnishment. Nor accepting a payment plan that was suggested but turned away by plaintiff refusing money unless it was what he set forth reasonable.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Aug 21, 2021

Yes.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: What all do you need to do on a discovery as a defendant?

Currently a defendant for civil case for debt collection. I answered the questions. Do I need to have a cover letter for this report? Do I need to sign it or notarize it. The plaintiff did not leave spots for signature or to be notarize

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 16, 2021

Answers to interrogatories should be notarized in Missouri. No cover letter is necessary. You should also file and serve a certificate of service. It's not required that the plaintiff provide the notarization page but you could request one.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I am being sued in mo. for medical bill that was not submitted to my insurance and bill was sent to ex wife nov 2019

I had a heart attack and was sent to another hospital with a cardiologist on staff. I cant recall being asked at ER for medical card and a person in billing said i was listed as self pay, even though i had the same insurance in 2012 visit. The hospital said I should have sent change of address... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 12, 2021

If enough money is at stake and you can afford an attorney, I recommend you hire one to defend the case or to try to negotiate a settlement.

Ronald J. Eisenberg

Schultz & Associates LLP

640 Cepi Drive, Suite A

Chesterfield, MO 63005

Direct: (636) 733-6647

Fax: (636) 537-2599

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I sent money to someone thru Cashapp. We had a falling out. He won't give me my money back. Can I sue him?

I've tried to get my money or my shoes, he won't give me anything. Cashapp can't do anything because you have to dispute the transaction no more than 60 days after it's been completed. Do I have a case here? Can I sue him in small claims court to get my money back. Him and his... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 12, 2021

You “have a case” if you sue and a case number is assigned. You state that you sent him money but don’t indicate if it was a gift or a loan. Unless it was a loan, then you’ll likely lose. Hopefully you at least have emails or text messages clearly showing that it was a loan.

In...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: Can I be sued from a law firm over a medical bill?

I am making payments to a collection agency for the same medical bill I am threatened to be sued for. Months before I received this letter from the law firm.

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Feb 6, 2021

I would think you can indeed be sued by the party to whom you owe money. If you had agreed to a payment plan and have been honoring it 100% then I’d find it odd that your medical provider would pay an attorney either hourly or on a contingency basis to sue you. Have an attorney familiar with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: Can an entity sue me for medical debt if I'm not the guarantor?

I am about to be sued for unpaid medical debt. However, my husband is the one who has the insurance through his job, but the bills have always come in my name. He's technically the guarantor, not me. We have requested the bills to be placed in his name countless times, but they never have... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 20, 2020

The legal theory under which you could be held liable is the "doctrine of necessaries."

Here are some cases discussing the doctrine. I hope this helps provide an answer even if it is not the answer you desire....
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: What are my options for a hospital bill law suit
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 18, 2020

Your options are to pay the sum, not to pay it, to defense the lawsuit pro se, to hire an attorney to defend the lawsuit, to file bankruptcy, or to try to negotiate a settlement with the plaintiff, doing so either on your own or by hiring an attorney.

Which option makes most sense will...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: How long after not hearing anything from an attorney can I assume that a lawsuit wasn’t filed?

On July 5th, an attorney send me a letter trying to collect a debt I don’t remember. I sent a response on July 13th and haven’t heard anything back on Sept 22nd. Should I do anything else or assume they’re not filing a lawsuit?

Edit: there aren’t any cases filed against me on... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Sep 22, 2020

Check Casenet to see if a case in Missouri has been filed. Don’t assume anything. https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/cases/searchCases.do

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I have been sued by a debt collection agency for less than $2000. What do I do?
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Sep 15, 2020

You either litigate the case or you settle it. Many such cases get settled for a discounted sum with a payment plan. Most, however, result in default judgments and the the creditors try to garnish bank accounts and issue wage garnishments.

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Consumer Law and Collections for Missouri on
Q: What is the statute of limitations for when a hospital presents a bill for services rendered which must be paid?

The service was performed in August of 2017 and the first time I ever saw a bill was November of 2019. I assumed (and forgot) that insurance covered it and it was a done. When the bill showed up, I first asked for an explanation of benefits as well as the excuse for only seeing it 27 months later... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Aug 21, 2020

You are mistaken. The statute of limitations is at least 5 years. It is 10 years on a written promise to pay money.

What actions within five years.

516.120. Within five years:

(1) All actions upon contracts, obligations or liabilities, express or implied, except those...
View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.