Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Collections legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Virginia Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Virginia on
Q: What does it mean to have an account charged off? If this happens on an account does it mean you continue to pay?
Tammy L. Wincott
Tammy L. Wincott
answered on Nov 14, 2019

When a creditor charges an account off, it does not mean the debt goes away. A creditor will typically turn it over to a collections agency and they will begin pursuing payments from you. The important thing to remember is just because an account is charged off does not mean the debt goes away.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Going back to April 2009 a judgement was put against me for a credit card in General District Court. Had some problems.

Received a garnishment summons today through my employer for a court date in October 2019 in Circuit Court. What are my rights in regards to Statatue of Limitations in the State of Virginia? Do I just show up for the court date and explain to the Judge this is time barred and the case should be... View More

Robert R Weed
PREMIUM
Robert R Weed
answered on Jul 9, 2019

It's not time barred. Once they have a judgment against you they can garnish for ten years; AND they can extend it for another ten.

If you have a judgment you need to either pay, or file bankruptcy. Only very rarely do they just go away.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can a vendor keep my deposit?

I paid a singer for an event a deposit, the amount was half the cost of his services. There was no form of contract or agreement created detailing services or if the deposit was non-refundable. About a week after he was paid, and over a month before the event, I decided I no longer needed his... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 8, 2019

This sad incident should convince you--and perhaps teach others who learn about it--to ALWAYS get personal service contracts like this in writing, spelling out all the details. The singer is used to--and happy--to sign contracts; but the singer is probably much happier when folks like you give him... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: I hired a property manager for my unit in Puerto Rico. She collected the taxes for the Tourism company and was supposed

to file them for me. They say they have not received the forms or taxes. I live in the US mainland, Virginia. Is there a way I can get the records she says she filed or the money I paid her back? Thank you.

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 2, 2019

If you and the property manager have a written contract you should look to it first, before doing anything. If you do not have a written contract you might be out of luck. But in either event you can always hire a lawyer licensed to practice in Puerto Rico to help you get the missing money back.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: I have a student loan in va it's not federal but not private . Is there a statute of limitation?

Promissory note says 2011. Attorney general has it now and is taking my tax refund. Just filed a chapter 7

L. Ilaine  Upton
L. Ilaine Upton
answered on Jan 25, 2019

The loan has to be either federal or private. There is no other option. Ask for a copy of the promisssory note, if you don’t have it anymore. And a payment history. That’s your first step to figuring this out.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Small Claims and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can a lawyer include a stmnt of my account and the contract I signed when filing a warrant in debt? HIPAA?

Is it a Hipaa violation to include a complete statement of my account which includes what procedures I had done, along with a copy of the contract I signed when filing a warrant in debt with the court?

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Nov 9, 2018

I do not handle medical collection cases so I regret that I cannot answer your question.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Wage Garnishment

I had a tenant that I had to have evicted for nonpayment thru the court. The court put in a judgement for me and the amount that was asked and the tenant left the property. The tenant and I agreed to a payment plan after the fact and it was signed by both parties for a monthly amount she said she... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Aug 25, 2018

If you file a garnishment summons, you and the employer are required to appear before the court. The clerk's office will give you a list of required documents that are required and the forms of service if process. If any money is withheld by the employer, it will be sent to the court and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Virginia on
Q: In VA. I have a dentist collection from maybe 2015 or 2014. The debt collector never got in contact with me until now.

Can the debt still be collected? If no one ever provided me the information to pay (who/where/how much) and didn't contact me for 3 years? Thanks!

Thomas Woodward Ashton
Thomas Woodward Ashton
answered on Aug 18, 2018

It depends. Did you sign an agreement at the dentist's office to pay for treatment? If so, then the statute of limitations could be 5 years, not 3. Also, if they already have a judgment against you, it could be longer that 5 years. This is very fact-specific, and is something you should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation and Collections for Virginia on
Q: I am issued a bad check for 40.000 what steps I need to take and which court I need to go
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Aug 9, 2018

If you mean: $40,000 you should contact the FBI.

2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can a hoispital collect a bill they say I owe from 19 years ago

I was on their assisatance in 1999 a single Mom but they said I have to have the paper to prove it I have no paper it’s been too long Do I have to pay this

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jul 10, 2018

Each state has its own statute of limitations. Google your state's name, "breach of contract," and "statute of limitations." My guess is that the claim is time-barred. Certain actions, like a payment toward the debt, might restart the statutory period.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Virginia on
Q: I filed WID; she's been served & is now demanding info; ret. date in Aug; do I have to respond or "see you in court"?

Numerous communications went ignored before I filed the Warrant.

L. Ilaine  Upton
L. Ilaine Upton
answered on Jul 9, 2018

I am assuming she requested a Bill of Particulars. If that is the situation, yes, you do need to respond according to the rules of court. If the requests are informal, please consider whether your failure to cooperate will be seen by the court as prolonging the dispute. If the dispute can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: I received a warrant-in-debt and I don't know what to do?

Hello,

To make the story short, my significant other passed away and left me to care for our daughter alone. Anyways, a few years ago I opened a loan in desperation thinking I was able to afford to pay it off but the bi-weekly payments got the best of me and it was either rent or the loan.... View More

Robert R Weed
PREMIUM
Robert R Weed
answered on Jun 1, 2018

The reason bankruptcy is in the law is NOT really so donald Trump could keep his casinos. It's so you can clear these debts and get back to good credit and get on with your life. You need to talk to a bankrutpcy lawyer.

2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: How do I collect a $16,000 debt from 2015-2016 first invoiced in 2018?

I did piece-work as a contractor for a Virginia corporation from 2015 to 2016 for which I was not paid. The total amount due is over $16,000. No written contract, but the work was well documented and the rate they pay was the same before and after the work I did. I sent them an invoice in... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on May 24, 2018

The first step is to file a Warrant in Debt in Virginia. The defendants may have a defense of the statute of limitations f 3 years for oral contracts in Virginia. Once you have a judge award you a judgment, then you will need to collect it through the court procedures.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Virginia on
Q: What is the VA statute of limitations on the collection of medical debts?

I have medical debts totaling $1,500 sitting on my credit report for over 5 years. I have contacted the collection bureaus listed, but they no longer have my account. What is the VA statute of limitations on the collection of medical debts? Thank you.

L. Ilaine  Upton
L. Ilaine Upton
answered on May 16, 2018

The statute of limitations for medical debt is 5 years. A derogatory remark can stay on your credit report for 7 years. You can dispute the debt with the three credit reporting agencies directly. Start with annualcreditreport.com

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can your check get garnished before the court date?

I got an email from my job saying that my check will be garnished. I never got the summons, phone calls, or letters they supposedly sent. I got proof that I never got the summons because supposedly thought I worIed at another location. My company emailed me a copy of the summons supposedly happened... View More

L. Ilaine  Upton
L. Ilaine Upton
answered on May 16, 2018

The date on the garnishment summons is the "return date," which is the date that the creditor goes to court to collect the garnishment checks. Your pay will be garnished, typically 25% of your take home pay, until that date. In order to garnish you, there has to be a judgment... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Would filing a homestead deed protect my motorcycle?

I have car fmv at $ 4575 and motorcycle fmv at $ 2310. I am "collection proof" regarding all other assets.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 20, 2018

You can use the auto exemption for the car and the wildcard or catchall provision for the motorcycle. The homestead exemption does not apply.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Bankruptcy for Virginia on
Q: I am "collection proof" and would like to protect my motorcycle from levy. Would a VA homestead deed do this?

Other assets are covered as exemptions. No home and only receive social security payments.

Robert R Weed
PREMIUM
Robert R Weed
answered on Apr 20, 2018

You are allowed a $6,000 exemption for a Motor Vehicle which would count a street bike. Have you used that up on a car?

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Collections for Virginia on
Q: how to write up a homestead deed for filing garnishment exemption of wages?
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 16, 2018

You should go to the clerk's office at the courthouse or to the law library at the courthouse and ask for their form.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Recd warrant in debt 4 VA rental surrendered 2/13. Due to biz fail. Stat of limitations? No prev contact prior to cert

We live in Fl since then. Am on TTD & undergoing back surgeries. Court date next wk. what should I do?

Timothy R Johnson
Timothy R Johnson
answered on Apr 11, 2018

Hire a local attorney to defend the case. If you don't do anything, you will have a default judgment entered against you, and at some point, the plaintiff may pursue assets of yours in Virginia (if any), and if the amount is significant enough, possibly against you in Florida.

If your...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Collections for Virginia on
Q: I live out of state and an apartment complex c/o debt collector is suing me. What do I do?

I rented the place with another tenant end of september ‘13. I was kicked out by other tenant in December ‘13 then other tenant moved out January ‘14. I understand we are both responsible for paying rent after. I got a judgement about two months after she moved out. I didn’t have a job from... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 10, 2018

If the party suing you has the warrant in Debt properly served, the court will have jurisdiction over you and may enter a judgment against you. You should hire a lawyer to represent you in court.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get 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 you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, 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.