Q: If a law firm sues me for a credit card debt, should I try to settle it with a phone call to them or hire an attorney? I was making payments to a law firm that collects debt. I missed 1 payment and they called me I told them that I lost my job and it was hard for me to make the payments. I agreed to make a fraction of a payment and they took it. They called me two days later and requested another payment. I told them I could not make another payment for at least 2 weeks. Then I received a letter from a local magistrate that I am being sued.

A: I would consult with an attorney before settling with this company. Many of these claims by debt buyers and not the original creditor. Claims by the debt buyers many times can be defended by being dismissed with preliminary objections or being knocked out at the trial. Often these debt buyers cannot prove the initial contract or any assignment to them from the original creditor.