Get free answers to your Collections legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I received an email from a pre-litigation company about a credit card debt with HSBC that was supposedly charged off in 2016. The representative mentioned that the debt was purchased by a law firm and could be pursued for breach of contract under a 10-year statute of limitations. I have lived in... View More 
answered on Mar 14, 2025
A "charge-off" of a debt is an internal accounting process, and it has no legal effect on the indebtedness.
You appear to be correct about the length of PA limitations.
Note that the PA statute of limitations runs from the date of default. That period may be extended,... View More
I need information on the statute of limitations for collecting back rent in Pennsylvania. I have a written lease agreement, and the back rent has been due since January 2016. There have been no court proceedings or formal communications with the tenant regarding the back rent, although there have... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 17, 2025
At this point if there has not been a payment in the last 4 years the debt is not collectable through the Courts. Also, since it is so old it is unlikely that it will be successful in litigation. Most Municipalities and Landlord Tenant Courts require a rental license and valid inspections. If... View More
Is there anything that can be seized based on unsecured debt law in Pennsylvania? Everything I'm reading is saying there isn't much that can taken to repay the debt since it is solely mine.
answered on Feb 9, 2025
If by "being sued" you mean a Complaint has already been filed against you, do NOT ignore it; file a responsive pleading that gives you more time.
Use that time to contact whoever speaks for your adverse party to determine what it will accept to resolve this issue.
You... View More
Default judgment for approx 5400.00 issued in Alabama for a company in Pennsylvania
answered on Oct 21, 2024
All but a couple States have reciprocity with PA pursuant to the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. (Another US State is deemed "foreign".)
Assuming your default judgment complied with the statutory procedure in Alabama, you can register your judgment in PA, serve your... View More
answered on Aug 7, 2024
A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. You could try reposting under "Collection," and "Bankruptcy." The question may have been overlooked under in the "Uncategorized" heading. Some questions do go unanswered here,... View More
Since October 2021, an individual has been indebted to me for $30,000, with a 10% monthly interest fee agreed upon by both parties. He failed to make any further payments after the first 2 months. Despite my numerous attempts to remind him of this obligation, he has not taken the necessary steps to... View More
answered on Jun 14, 2024
With some statutory exceptions (e.g., Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”). In simple terms, the law gives people who buy goods or services for personal, family, or household purposes a way to privately sue businesses for illegal behavior and even for... View More
I perform mechanic work for people that can't afford the price of dealerships or a mechanic shop I charge half price or less before I start the work the owner of vehicle and myself having agreement on cost of parts, labor and total price. When I complete the work and it's time to pay... View More
answered on Apr 24, 2024
First, is your agreement with an owner in writing?
And that document should set out the work to be performed, the costs for that work, and the due dates for payment.
And then the document should state the various remedies for default in payment.
In PA, and most other... View More
I settled with a debt collector years back sent in a money order never arrived at the destination when I sent the money order at usps it was in transit for months and I just never followed up on it how would I go about resolving this for the amount that we settled upon or do I have to pay the full... View More
answered on Dec 4, 2023
Based upon what has been reported to us as bankruptcy counsel, our best advice is to deal directly with whatever creditor is pursuing you. The "collector" charges a fee for its service, and that fee is passed along to you, whether disclosed or not.
You should be able to get your... View More
My 72 yr old Aunt has advanced dementia, is being cared for by her sister (my Mom) and has thousands in credit card debt. My Mom is paying the debt but needs extra help to care for my aunt and doesn't have the money to pay for it. Can she stop paying the cc debt (from my Aunt's social... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2023
While Social Security payments are exempt from judgment creditors in PA (and almost all other places), a creditor with a judgment can require the debtor to appear for deposition in aid of execution, or force responses to other forms of discovery in aid of execution.
To fend that off, most... View More
In September 2024, a credit card company seized funds from my son's bank account, which was a joint minor account with me, after winning a judgment against me for money owed. I received a letter from the Prothonotary's office stating that the judgment was "dismissed without... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 24, 2025
I'll help you navigate this situation to recover your son's money.
First, gather all your documentation - the dismissal letter from the Prothonotary, bank statements showing the seizure, and any communications from the credit card company. These will serve as crucial evidence... View More
I signed up with Verizon, got 2 free phones from them, stayed with them 9 months, the days I signed up, I was never told that I had to pay for my phone in case of leaving, I decided to move to another carrier, I went to verizon store asked for transfer pin that was needed for the new phone carrier,... View More
answered on Oct 20, 2024
The contract you signed with Verizon was a service contract which included the price of the phones. When you transferred carriers, you still owed for the phones. It doesn't matter what anyone told you, it's the written service agreement that counts.
I retired early overseas in Asia after me and my wife developed health issues after covid. I left a good bit of unpaid credit card debt behind in the US that I can't pay. All I have is my small OPM federal retirement pension via direct deposit to my US bank account each month and no other... View More
answered on Sep 9, 2024
Hire a lawyer to appear for you or you could lose by default.
Since September 2021, he owed me $30,000. he agreed to pay a 10% interest fee each month, I lowered the interest fee to 5% after a year, yet he still did not make any payments. In February 2024, he assured me that he would sell the house and use the proceeds to pay back the money. When I contacted... View More
answered on Jun 14, 2024
A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You ask about referrals. There are no referrals here but there is a "Find a Lawyer" tab you could use to supplement your own searches. There are also referral sections of local and state bar... View More
I rented a vehicle from SIXT at Lisbon Portugal Airport in August 2023.
Regrettably, the rental car provided by SIXT had pre-existing windshield damage.
• Due to the low light in the garage crack was not visible.
• On September 15, 2023, SIXT charged my credit card... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2024
Yes they can.
Your options are to file a lawsuit or defend a lawsuit they may bring.
The original plumber sent me an unitemized bill one year after the work. The verbal quote was less than 1/3 of the bill. I asked for more information. He sold the company. I called the new owner and he said I did not have an outstanding bill and all was good. One year later he bills me for the work... View More
answered on Oct 17, 2023
"Can he"?
Sure. Anybody with a couple hundred dollars for the court costs can sue anybody else for any reason.
But can the plaintiff win on what gets filed?
There's the rub, lol. From what you say, it sounds like this plumber's claim would fail. BUT,... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2023
Keep track of all calls and letters, and any other form of contact, including any efforts to contact you or your employer at work. Applicable laws may entitle you to make a successful claim against the collector.
If you engage counsel, a simple letter from you or counsel to the collector... View More
I'm a disabled resident of Bradford County on SSDI with no other source of income. I own a car worth $14k that I purchased outright using my disability benefits and I have personal belongings within my rented apartment, but hold no real significant value. A creditor is currently suing me for... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 3, 2023
For Federal Exemptions to apply you would need to be in Federal Court. Pennsylvania has exemptions for levy's and garnishments that a Pennsylvania attorney can advise you of. You should speak with a Pennsylvania attorney in Bradford County so they can assist you with your rights. Since you... View More
I could owe them over 20,000 after they sell it, moved to much equity to high interest loan in 2019. During the pandemic I skipped payments basically still owe what I paid for it. Are the chances of a lawsuit from them high?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 5, 2023
If you voluntarily choose to give your car back to your finance company, it is possible that they may still pursue you for the remaining balance on the loan. This is known as a deficiency balance, which is the difference between what you owe on the loan and the amount the finance company is able to... View More
My wife received an oral deposition saying that she is to appear and testify "in aid of execution concerning all of her income, assets and property, including personal property, which may be subject to execution in satisfaction of the judgment obtained by Plaintiff against [her] in the... View More
answered on May 10, 2023
It is possible that a creditor sued your wife on a debt, and, for whatever reason, she was never properly served. This might happen, for example, if the creditor cannot find the defendant and obtains permission for alternate service by mail or publication. If there is no response, the creditor... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 27, 2023
Without more information on your particular financial situation it is not possible to give you a complete answer. Regarding your Social Security payments they are protected from collection. You may have other assets that they can attach so you will want to contact an attorney with experience in... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free 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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.
