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Missouri Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: Can a debtor in Missouri refile a garnishment if the courts terminated the order for failure to file a statement

A garnishment was placed though the courts and about a year ago the case was updated to terminated with the reason listed is "a writ of garnishment was issued against the above named judgment debtor pursuant to Rule 90. The above named garnishor has failed to file a statement of judgment... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Oct 11, 2023

Yes. It’s completely proper for the plaintiff to file a new garnishment so long as the judgment hasn’t expired. Missouri judgments are valid for 10 years unless revived.

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 Civil Litigation and Collections for Missouri on
Q: I was just contacted by a company that said their name was United Firm and that they were mediation company in St. Louis

They said that a company called cash net was going to sue me for breach of contract for a loan from April 12, 2012. And that I was going to be sent a summons to go to court. What is the statue limitations for something like this? Is this company a scam?

I checked casenet , there is nothing.... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jun 5, 2023

Either it is a scam or you have already been sued and United Firm saw the information on the public docket and therefore mailed you a letter. I wouldn't recommend dealing with any random mediation company at this point. An attorney would need to assess the situation, but the statute of... View More

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.

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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 Collections for Missouri on
Q: I have 4 personal loans that I have current but I'm not going to be able to pay 3 of them it's either eat or pay them.

The 1 I'm keeping is secure loan the other 3 are unsecured loans I live in Missouri and on disability benefits What happens if I don't pay the unsecured loans. I don't own a car or real estate nothing except our furniture and personal things and they are already secured by the one... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 19, 2023

If you don't pay the unsecured loan you'll likely get sued. If the case results in a judgment against you, the judgment either will automatically become a lien on real estate in your county or the plaintiff may "transcribe" an associate division judgment to make it into a lien.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: I am being sued from a debt and collection agency please do you know if I’m between jobs but the job I had paid alot??

What can they do if I normally make good money on my assignments but I’m in between assignments so I really do not have a job. What are they gonna do with me I can’t settle but I’m scared of court, so what all can I take for me?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 16, 2023

If you don't reach a settlement then the case will go forward. If you lose, the plaintiff will have a judgment against you and can garnish your wages, bank account, etc.

If you don't show up at court a default judgment will be entered against you. If you are served, either show...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: What is a creditors rights and what is mine n court.I am being sued I live in Perryville Missouri
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 16, 2023

A creditor has the right to sue a debtor for an unpaid debt. I believe you want to know what your rights are as a debtor. You have the right to hire an attorney to defend the case or to represent yourself in court. You can also try to negotiate a settlement.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Missouri on
Q: How long are judgements good for?

In 2013, I got a judgement against me for a $900 credit card with an accuring interest and court costs. At the time, I was making $4.00 hr as a server, a single mom of 2 and going to college. I tried telling the attorney I could only pay $25 a month. He insisted on $50. Shortly after the judgement... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Dec 31, 2022

Missouri judgments last for 10 years unless revived sooner or there is a payment reflected on the record I’m not sure if your two payments are shown on the record. If so, that automatically resets the clock. A small claims judgment is not a lien on real estate but the title company still... View More

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.

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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...
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