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Utah Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Landlord - Tenant, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Is it legal for a repossession company to tow with someone inside the vehicle in Utah?

In Ogden, Utah, a repossession company towed my vehicle for a couple of feet while I was still inside it, and police officers were present but did not intervene. They mentioned that they couldn't do anything after the fact and attempted to get me out of the car, but I refused. Is it legal for... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Mar 28, 2025

A couple of feet? The reason that people cannot ride in a towed vehicle, trailer, etc., is because of the possible catastrophic consequences of an accident involving the towed item. You were in no danger whatsoever, and indeed it was your fault for interfering with the repossession agent in the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law and Collections for Utah on
Q: Trying to pay debt collection in full but they don’t send any written agreement why do I do ?

I have filed my answer with a debt collector with a motion to dismiss with prejudice. I want to pay and get it over with I am even willing to pay the amount that they ask but they will not give me a written agreement stating that I will no longer owe anything to them regarding this debt. What do I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 19, 2024

In your situation, it's important to proceed with caution. Never agree to pay a debt without a written agreement, as this document is your proof that the debt will be cleared upon payment. You need this to ensure they won't claim you still owe money later.

Since the debt collector...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Small Claims and Collections for Utah on
Q: Shady debt collector and lawyer what do I do ?

I owe a debt about $1703 it is mine it’s for a credit card. I called and they transferred me to their lawyer because I am in the process of being sued and I’ve had that confirmed as true. The lawyer I spoke to said if I didn’t pay within today or by Friday they would add $350 more into my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2024

In Utah, you are allowed to record phone calls as long as at least one party to the conversation consents. Since you are a party to the conversation and you consent to recording it, you can legally record your phone calls with the debt collector and their lawyer.

Here are some steps you can...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Small Claims and Collections for Utah on
Q: Shady debt collector and lawyer what do I do ?

I owe a debt about $1703 it is mine it’s for a credit card. I called and they transferred me to their lawyer because I am in the process of being sued and I’ve had that confirmed as true. The lawyer I spoke to said if I didn’t pay within today or by Friday they would add $350 more into my... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 11, 2024

That you've "confirmed as true" that you're in the process of being true means to me that there is a pending, actual Complaint pending in a Utah court of record against you.

While it is usually viable to deal directly with the holder of a defaulted account, or its...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Utah on
Q: I’m trying to pay off a debt to a shady collections agency.

I’m trying to pay off the full amount of the debt for 1,703 the debt collecter sent me to their lawyer because I am being sued by them. She said that if I didn’t pay in full by today or Friday that she would charge me an extra fee of $350. I asked if I could get a written agreement saying I... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 11, 2024

This has all the earmarks of a collection scam.

First, confirm with the court itself that a lawsuit has in fact actually been filed against you. Most courts have online public access to court records. Don't call a number on a letter or click on a link provided to you. Go online and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Utah on
Q: I am being sued by a debt collection what do I do ?

Collection agency hasn’t served me but I know I am being sued. I’ve received papers from lawyers saying they will defend me from them. They only sent me papers of the debt I owe and it is mine for about $1,700 and they said I had until the 24th to respond but they filed a lawsuit. They are very... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Mar 10, 2024

If you settle with them, pay the debt in whole or a reduced compromise amount, get the agreement in writing before payment. Have the agreement provide they must file a dismissal with prejudice.

As to the lawsuit, if not settled prior to the response time you must file your answer with...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Family Law for Utah on
Q: Can I respond to a court summons on behalf of my Father?

My Father was served a court summons related to a debt. However he has Dementia and isn't competent to reply himself. As his son, Can I respond on his behalf? I do not have Guardianship or PoA over him.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 24, 2023

Responding to a court summons on behalf of your father, especially given his dementia and incapacity, is a sensitive situation. Generally, without legal authority such as guardianship or power of attorney (PoA), you may not have the legal standing to respond to the summons on his behalf.

In...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections, Consumer Law, Bankruptcy and Lemon Law for Utah on
Q: Seeking legal help for wrongful wage garnishment in Utah over a time-barred debt related to a lemon vehicle purchase.

I am seeking legal assistance regarding a wrongful wage garnishment related to an old debt associated with a vehicle purchase. The vehicle, a lemon, became inoperable the year I purchased it, and I have not possessed it for well over the statute of limitations period in Utah. Despite this, a debt... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 7, 2025

You should hire a lawyer to sue the debt collector as you have some pretty substantial damages. Looks like a pretty easy case to prove on your part.

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Utah on
Q: I need help filing a Foriegn Judgment in the Uinta County District Court from Utah. Debtor and assets are in Wyoming.
Kregg Wallace
Kregg Wallace
answered on Jan 29, 2025

We can help you register a foreign judgment in Utah. However, if you want to do it on your own, the court has instructions on their website about how to do it. https://legacy.utcourts.gov/ocapinfo/domestic%20law/Filing%20Foreign%20Judgments.html.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Utah on
Q: Debt collector gave me fake account number and said I owed an amount that was less than I owed what do I do ?

Debt collector gave me fake account number. original clinic said that the account number they gave me isn’t the one they have on file. The clinic gave me the actual account number that the collection agency has. I then called back the collection agency and then said that account number and it... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Mar 17, 2024

Get in touch with a consumer protection attorney and see if they will offer a free consultation. Make sure to keep all potential evidence you have available for the attorney to review.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Utah on
Q: What irrefutable information must a collection agency have to garnish someone's wages?

My work place has been served garnishment of wages papers. I have been unable to get any original information about the debt from the collection agency. It was not my name on the court paperwork but it was my social security number.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on May 23, 2023

In order to garnish wages, there must be a valid judgment. Research the court files, mini available online, for cases against you. If you were not served properly with a lawsuit, you might win a motion to set aside judgment.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Utah on
Q: Knight Adjustment garnished my wages. never served papers. The name is not mine. SS# is. No original debt info offered

Old RC Willey account. $2000 original. Now $21000 They wont return inquiries for help or info.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on May 23, 2023

Look into filing a motion to set aside the judgment for failure to serve. Review the court file to see how they claim served.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Utah on
Q: Injunctive Relief for credit reporting accounts that were included in wage earner plan

I had on time payments on all of my accounts even when i filed bankruptcy. Once it was officially filed all 14 accounts were reported as negative marks as being banktruptcy.

When i have previously filed bankruptcy this never happened. One of the accounts is my car loan that I still make... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on May 5, 2022

Generally, the credit bureaus just publish comments about your accounts submitted by those creditors who subscribe to any of the credit bureau's service. The credit bureau itself doesn't generate comments about particular accounts, although the bureaus may have picked up your bankruptcy... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking, Collections and Elder Law for Utah on
Q: Is the surviving spouse responsible for the debts of the deceased spouse
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Nov 22, 2021

Yes and no. Nor for personal debts, student loan debts, credit card debts etc. but yes to medical bills. The creditors have a right to make a claim against his estate and the estate has an obligation to pay it as long as the assets in the estate are over and above the exemption amount. The... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Utah on
Q: What kind of lawyer do I need to look for? Where do I start with everything in general? How can this all happen?

evictions case from 2013, started receiving notices for the first time towards end of July 2021, all 3 summons were signed by 1 of 3 defendants but another defendant was not informed (to the best of my knowledge) garnished wages for a total amount between now 2 defendants unknown how much each will... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 21, 2021

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. You present a number of issues to sort out, and it's possible you might benefit from an attorney who has insight into a number of the different areas (such as L-T) you describe. In terms of your immediate needs, a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Civil Rights and Collections for Utah on
Q: Hi i have a question i was on a auto loan with a cosiginer an i was making monthly payment then they paid it off

Hi i have a question i was on a auto loan with a cosiginer an i was making monthly payment then they paid it off and demand that i paid them back an i was making payments but not very much and theres no contract that he created for me to sing to show that I would pay him back, then he went an stole... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Sep 2, 2020

First, it sounds as if the only agreement you signed is the one you both co-signed for the purchase of the car. The normal expectation is that you have the right to continue to pay the car loan on time until it is paid off. If you failed to do so, and the co-signer had to step in to save the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Collections for Utah on
Q: Remedy for a frivoulous claim that clouds title

HOA FOr a condo put a cloud on title for past due hoa fees that were in dispute and outside of the statute of limitaitons.

THis caused a sale to fail. What remedies can we seek against the HOA owner?

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2020

Quiet title, slander of title, and wrongful lien against real property are potential causes of action in a situation where an improper lien is placed on real property. Injunctive relief and money damages, along with attorney fees, may be recoverable with improper liens.

In slander of title...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Utah on
Q: What steps do I need to take to sue someone in a different state

Old roommate broke lease when we moved out a month early, we paid rent to her for last month of lease and she moved out right after us breaking the lease which she was also on, we were sued and had to pay full amount plus interest and fees as she moved to California

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 26, 2020

You don't have to sue her in California, you only have to get her served there. You can sue her in Utah. I would suggest going through the small claims court here. If you know where she lives, then file suit here, hire a process server to serve her the summons and complaint, if she... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Collections and Consumer Law for Utah on
Q: How many calls and texts from a company does it go to harassment? This company will call and text up to 4 or more times.
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 1, 2017

I can only assume that you are talking about debt collection. If that is the case, then here is some information, section 806(3) of the Fair debt collection practices act states:

3. Multiple contacts with consumer. A debt collector may not engage in repeated personal contacts with a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Utah on
Q: Can I file a request to work with the landlord/apartment complex only and not their collection attorney?

Had a default judgement against me for rent owed after eviction. Hearing is set to answer questions about my assets. I want to settle the debt w/the apartment complex, not their collection attorney. Does the FDCPA cover this issue and allow me to submit in writing that I will only deal w/the... View More

Jefferson S Cannon
Jefferson S Cannon
answered on Sep 3, 2015

You cannot obligate the creditor to not use an attorney. It is one of their rights. The attorney office will handle the collection of the debt unless the client decides to withdraw the file.

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