Need Advice-Please Respond

[susanep]

This is a bit embarrassing, but need your thoughts. Due to brain fog by me, I had an officer come to my house this morning to give me a court summons for August about a debt I had not been paying. I don t want to have to go to court, so I am trying to think of my options.

The company will let me make payments now at a certain rate, but I would still have to go to court on that date and show them I am already making the payments, but then I will also have to pay all the court costs too. If I missed one payment I could then be sued. People I know could also be there, because I live in a small town.

Who can I go to for maybe a loan consolidation to pay off this stuff and then not have to worry about it? Many on line are listed, but I dont  know which are good and which arent. I am not making any excuses for myself, but my crazy brain fog stuff.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

susanep

[Scottietottie]

Hi Susan

I wish I could help but I'm in the wrong country. I'm sure someone will reply soon. Can't you write to the court and explain that you are unwell and can't appear on medical grounds? Surely you could prove payments via receipts.

Take care - Scottie 

[Linda196]

I'm with Scottie...seems to me that health reasons should allow you to avoid court if you can provide adequate documentation that the bill is being paid. I'm also unable to suggest any loans companies, because I, too, am in a different country.

Shouldn't the company that is willing to let you make payments, also be willing to withdraw the civil complaint so that court isn't a necessity?

[irish]

Susan, I think that if you look in the Yellow pages you will find "Legal Aid" which is a free service for people. I don't know the basic aspects about this service but have read about it. You might do well to investigate this and see what options you have regarding this debt.

I am sorry that you have to go through this. Hopefully, this can be resolved without any hassle. Irish

[Nettie]

Gosh, I tend to look things up on the Suze Orman website.  http://www.suzeorman.com/ 

On the top right hand side of the webpage there is a search engine.  I put in debt consolidation and there seems to be some good info there on good companies, etc. 

http://www.suzeorman.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=MD012&SRCN=aoedetails&GnavID=84&SnavID=100&TnavID=&AreasofExpertiseID=166&skip=1

Hope this helps, Nettie

[eyeamdry]

Background: 12 years as a non-profit debt management counselor.........

My suggestion:  Taking a loan to refinance debt is rarely a good idea.  You can't consolidate your way out of debt.  Without knowing more, if you agree to payments and make them, the company suing you will not likely do anything.  They just want their money.

It may be difficult for you to get a loan with a "collection" on your credit record.  As I said, in most cases borrowing more money just isn't a good idea.  If you go to court to meet with the company, you can request a "partial payment order" and as long as this payment is made, they can't guarnishee your wages. 

P.S. Seeing Legal Aid is not a bad idea either. 
Lucy

[susanep]

Thanks for all your input. This is just a good lesson for me to find a better way to keep up with everything. We dont even have a credit card now, because we dont want anymore debt. We are very conservative, but let this slip. I had mostly been focusing on getting through the school year, and had been leaving the finances up to my husband. He has been more on the nervous side so had been avoiding some things. That is the main reason this happened, but I should have been checking on it.

susanep

[LenV]

What's done is done.  Now to get it fixed.  Lucy is right.  All you will be doing with a loan consolidation is taking on more debt.  Some school's have financial aid offices too.  In the meantime just keep making payments on time and get it in writing what you and the company agreed upon.  See if the company will agree to drop the charges and on good faith because of your health problems set up some way of automatically paying them.  We use an on-line draft directly from our checking account for paying bills.  Keeps me functioning much better (and keeps them from cutting off the water and all).  I monitor the account every day and use the Money program on the computer to budget with.

Good luck,
We've all been there I bet.
Billye

[salsen]

Please contact legal aid.  They may be able to intercede.  Please whatever you do if the court case comes up before a firm resolution do not miss it.  Around here where I live the judges take a no show very seriously and will issue a bench warrant in a flat second.  As said the company wants there money, they are not interested in going to court.  When calling the company or collection agency have a firm payment plan ready (one you can live with).  Be sure to ask to speak with someone yourself who has the authority to negotiate with you - no middle person.  Most of all document all conversations you have on how to resolve the payment - believe me they will. 


Good Luck to you.  I hope you will be able to work this out.   

[JannaLee]

Yup, we've all had things like this happen.  I once had to go to court for something like this (I live in a small town too) and ran into a man from my CHURCH!  I was ready to die but then I realized... he was ready to die too!  We made a pact to never talk about it to anyone and to this day I didn't!

I'm hoping for a comfortable outcome for you dear Susan.  Try to remember embarrassing things happen to everyone.  Sadly it's your turn in the barrel.

Sending loads of confidence to ward off the misgivings you are feeling.
Janna

[susanep]

Thank you again for your kind words. Don't worry, I would'nt miss my court date if I don't get it resolved before then. I am hoping by then to somehow come up with the money if possible. I won't let this happen again, I know that.

susanep

[eyeamdry]

Believe me, no one else wants to be there either.  They are mostly all there for the same, or similar reasons and won't be judging you.  In fact, they just want to get in and get out as quickly as possible.  You'll be fine.  Lucy