Debt consolidation can be a great way to get out of debt and avoid legal action from creditors. It involves combining multiple debts into one, making it easier to manage and pay off. In Minnesota, debt settlement or consolidation agencies are not usually lawyers, but they can still help you prevent debts from getting out of control. However, once a debt collector has a hearing date, the debt consolidation agency will generally not defend you in court.
This is because only lawyers can defend people in court, and most employees of debt settlement agencies are not lawyers. If you're facing a lawsuit from a debt collector, it's important to act quickly. Hiring a law firm that includes defense of the lawsuit in your debt settlement agreement is the best way to protect your interests. A bankruptcy lawyer can also provide protection from the federal court and many other advantages.
Filing for bankruptcy may be an option for you and will end any outstanding collection claims and prevent future lawsuits for debts you owed prior to bankruptcy. When dealing with overdue debts, it's important to remember that the sooner you act, the better. A debt consolidation company can come to an agreement with you to negotiate with your creditors and get a monthly payment with a fixed interest rate. However, if your personal financial situation changes, it can disrupt relief plans.
It's also important to remember that you shouldn't assume that a debt is correct just because the company suing you includes it in a lawsuit. There is a limit to the length of time a creditor can file a debt collection claim against you. Someone whose debt is legitimate may try to negotiate a debt settlement in exchange for the lawsuit being dropped. If you're facing a lawsuit from a debt collector, it's important to act quickly and consider consulting a licensed debt collection lawyer. They specialize in debt defenses and are likely to provide more detailed legal advice than a debt consolidation agency.
Any legitimate business should be available in several days, once you have had time to verify that the debt collector is legitimate.
