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Pennsylvania Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Collections, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Pennsylvania on
Q: I want to use the tune to ColePorter's song "Anything Goes" with new lyrics on Youtube. Do I need copyright permission?
John B. Hudak
John B. Hudak
answered on Jun 17, 2020

Your new work may be considered a derivative work of the original song. A derivative work uses some or all of the original work and adds new elements. The copyright owner has the exclusive right to make derivative works. Therefore, if you made a derivative work without permission it could be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is my wife allowed to keep my part of the money the government sent out

Been seperated for 2 months and she ordered a new card and got mine canceled behind my back so she could keep it and told me i couldnt do anything legally about it is she right

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on May 8, 2020

She's not right. At worst, you'll get a credit for the amount she took in any ultimate settlement between you two. At best, you could file an emergency motion with the court demanding that you get your share.

Best of luck to you.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is this debt collector legitimate and should I pay?

I received a call from a debt collector for a small debt of 167 dollars. I was given a registration code and website link to pay the debt. When I go to the website, it requires the last 4 of my SSN and my ZIP code. Is this information safe to give out and should I pay the debt to them? The... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 24, 2020

Transworld is big, and I wouldn't give them your information. Tell them you want to know the basis of the debt.

Who is it from. What's the documentation. etc. You want the dates of service, etc.

Get the address, write them a mail letter. keep a copy.

Your mantra...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Collections and Sexual Harassment for Pennsylvania on
Q: I receive two letters from two different lawyers and I need a lawyer

I was hired to write and direct a stage play. The guy promised to pay me and the actors even if the play was canceled. The man ha yet to pay me or the actors. and I received two letters from lawyers on his behalf. both of his claims are false. however, I have been giving a week to respond to one. I... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 23, 2020

The "one week to respond" is baloney---but hard to tell if they are saying you have one week to do something you are obligated to do under the contract....different.

It's hard to tell without knowing the facts. You can call for a free consultation and I can better direct you.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a collection agency try to get you for a repossession from over 10 years ago?

My roommate had her car repossessed back in 2006. She had just received a call the other Day from Global International Services saying they have been trying to get a hold of her for years but had her old address...saying she owes $7,000 for her car...otherwise they were going to garnish her... View More

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Mar 16, 2020

Probably not . . . unless Global actually has a judgment against her already. The statute of limitations for collecting on a civil judgment, however, is generally five (5) years, although the judgment can be "revived" for another five years if certain court procedures are undertaken by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Consumer Law, Contracts and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have a small automotive repair shop in Pennsylvania. Sometimes, customers refuse to pay. What can I do?

Occasionally, there are customers who agree to have the work performed and the price, even with the understanding that payment is due upon pickup of the vehicle, who then do not pay. I am not aware of any law in Pennsylvania that allows a mechanic lien to hold the vehicle until payment is... View More

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Feb 24, 2020

You absolutely can keep the car until you receive full payment for the repair services performed -- so long as the owner actually requested that the services be performed. Pennsylvania common law grants you an "artisan's lien" on property that you've made more valuable as a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I receive a praecipe to enter judgement what does that mean

I received a letter from an insurance company on monies owed stating they were filing a Praecipe to Enter Judgement. What does that mean? I do not work at this time, and i own a home with my husband. Can they force us to sell our home or sheriffs sale?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 12, 2020

It means you will have a judgement. You must immediately file a paper to have the judgment reopened--apparently you didn't respond to something they sent. Contact your County Bar Association ASAP>

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I settle debt with a collection agency directly, or do I need to go through the court if already served papers?

A debt collection agency is taking me to court for $2,200. I was served papers and was advised I had 20 days to enter a written appearance. Can I attempt to settle this out of court with the collection agency directly, or do I need to go through the court?

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Jan 16, 2020

You can do both, but you can't ignore the court unless you want a default judgment against you in the full amount sought. Adhere to all court deadlines, but at the same time (and if you like), try to negotiate with your creditor (or its agent, whoever has filed suit against you). If... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: My car was stolen and found by the police. The officer got the car impounded w/o notifying me. Recovery options w/o fee?

I was not notified when my car was towed away. The cop who found my stolen car got it towed and did not notify me. It has been a month i had to find the tow company myself 36 days later they are charging me 1100 dollars in fees.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 22, 2019

This is a major problem. Contact your legislator, AAA, others --the law has to be changed. The question is what the towing company is charging. I don't have a clear, clean answer for this. However, if the person was found and is charged with the crime you may have access via the crime... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: My siblings tried to get over on my so I had to get a separate lawyer ..

The estate owed me money for cleaning out my mothers home and I was paying all her bills including her credit cards because she had no will and since I lived with my mother my siblings were telling me I had to pay for everything , well I did I found out when I got a lawyer that I was not bounded to... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 27, 2019

You really should discuss this with your lawyer, who knows this case and your situation better than anyone in this forum.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: We sold a vehicle privately and now payments have stopped. Been to the magistrate already. What’s the next step?

We filed a suit when payments stopped, defendant showed up to magistrate office and we were told to talk things out since he openly said he still owed the balance (around $3500). Promised to pick up on payments but we haven’t heard from him again. Tried contacting buyer on several occasions. We... View More

Elizabeth Tarasi
Elizabeth Tarasi pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 16, 2019

Go to the magistrate again. Get a judgment and ask for the vehicle back.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Business Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Help!

My electric bill has been unusually high, so I called them. They informed me I had a 3rd party supplier on my bill I was unaware of. I called said 3rd party and they informed me that I had added them to my account last summer. Going through the details it came across that my sister had given them... View More

Adam Savett
Adam Savett
answered on Aug 30, 2019

I would suggest you file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

Here is a link to resources on the process and directions on how to file a complaint:

http://www.puc.state.pa.us/filing_resources/filing_complaints.aspx

Note that the PUC specifically...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: My wife has a capital one card that is going to be charged off. She is afraid they may sue.

She still works. I’m retired. We have a joint bank account. With no wage garnishment here and spousal bank accounts are safe. Would they take her 2016 Ford Explorer that still has a loan of 16000 on it.

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Jul 14, 2019

Very doubtful. They may sue, and perhaps get a judgment against her, but then they'll try to attach bank accounts in a scattershot manner by sending writs of execution out to the largest banks in your area (hoping that yours is one of them). Even though your joint bank account is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: If I send a cease & desist letter to debt collector, on time barred debt, but do not acknowledge debt, will they sue?

A third party debt collector has obtained an old debt of around $700. This type of debt is beyond the statute of limitations in my state of PA. I am mailing a letter stating such debt is beyond SOL, thus time-barred. Also, I am requesting no further contact. Can/will this collector still (attempt)... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 24, 2019

Considering the tiny size of the old debt, it is not very likely that a debt collection company will try to enforce it--even in small claims court. Rather than say or do anything that could possibly result in reaffirmation, why not say nothing, wait to see what happens and if they do sue, raise the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Collections and Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I lost a Civil Law suit with about 141k awarded to the other person. Can they come after my 401K to collect?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 20, 2019

If your 401k is a "qualifying plan" (i.e., meets the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Tax Code), then your 401k plans should be exempt from execution.

Your judgment creditor may nonetheless attempt to levy on your 401(k) account, and you will need to file written objections...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I'm looking for the best course of action to collect on a judgement issued by a magesterial court in Cambria County.

I recieved a judgement in my favor for money owed to me due to a breech of contract. Since I got this judgement in a magesterial court I found out that they can not help me collect. I was wondering what my best course of action would be? I looked into options at the district court and was thinking... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 18, 2019

if you don't want to consult a lawyer, then assuming the time for them to appeal has run, go for a writ of execution with a wage loss attachment if they are working--that way you get the money, not an item that then has to be sold. The Sheriff's office for the county should help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Tax Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Need him to collect the IRS refund for Deceased husband.

Hello, My sister is a senior citizen. she has been trying to collect her deceased husbands IRS refund check for tax year 2017 since it was filed in 2018. She has contacted the IRS on numerous occasions and has been given several different instructions on how to get this accomplished. she has... View More

Linda Simmons Campbell
Linda Simmons Campbell
answered on Feb 20, 2019

I suggest that she call the Taxpayer Advocate in her area. She can look up the number at the following link

https://www.irs.gov/advocate/local-taxpayer-advocate

They will help her submit the correct paperwork. If that does not work she can try a low income taxpayer clinic in her...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: When our son has no job and has been served a summons for debt collection, what does he have to do?

The summons was served to his parents place in Ohio and from a court in Ohio, and he does not live in Ohio and has not for 3 years. He has no job, no money, no assets, no home,is living with this friend and that one somewhere in PA, so what does he have to do?

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Feb 16, 2019

First, he must first be officially served with the lawsuit. If this "service of process" is not satisfactorily obtained, then NOTHING happens: the court cannot enter a judgment against him without proper notice of the lawsuit. Some folks successfully dodge adverse judgments by ducking... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Tax Law, Collections and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: PA-What's the Tax Penalty % for "Early W/Draw" of a Pension Plan? Also with "E W/D" can the IRS claim $ owed 4 yrs prior

My husband is currently disabled and we have had no income now for months. Until he can get any kind of help we have to pay to get our prior taxes done for his corporation (he no longer has - due to not being able to walk anymore); before we can do our personal taxes.

The only way to... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 30, 2019

The penalty varies from plan to plan. You can check with the plan administrator to determine exact amount. It is unlikely that the IRS is even aware of the pension plan, do very doubtful that they will be able to seize money.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: If I have already made payment arrangements with portfolio recovery, Do I still have to attend a conciliation meeting?

Got a letter that I was being sued by portfolio recovery for bad debt. Call and made payment arrangements. They sent me a letter confirming this and I had to send it back. Now I got a notice that there is a conciliation agreement meeting. Do I have to attend the meeting? There is already an... View More

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Dec 31, 2018

You should contact the court to inquire. It could very well be that Portfolio Recovery has already informed the court of the agreement, but maybe not. You can also ask Portfolio Recovery to cancel the court proceedings -- something things slip through the cracks. But short of the court telling... View More

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