Q: In AZ & received summons for a debt from 02/2012 for $3000. I want to deny the debt. Is it best to hire a lawyer?
I have an answer packet from the court but I want to fill it out using the best defense possible. Can I use SOL? I don't want to except this debt. Do I just put I deny the claim on the paper?
A: You'll increase your chances of a decent resolution if you hire an attorney. You'll have to decide, however, whether it makes financial sense to pay an attorney by the hour to defend against a $3000 claim. My guess is that after you call a couple of attorneys and they tell you that they charge $200+ per hour that you will decide to defend the case pro se. There are a lot of resources available online, but without having gone to law school and practices law, you will be at a disadvantage. Most debt collection firms are willing to negotiate payment plans and often even for a discount off the sum sought. A bird in the hand . . . .
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