What to do if I am being sued by an animal hospital for a bill that is not mine?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if I am being sued by an animal hospital for a bill that is not mine?
I had an identity theft issue with a roommate of mine. I told them they had the wrong person. I asked for proof and all they did was send me a cost invoice and I sent a rebuttle stating I never lived at that address and that was not my phone number and who my roomate was and what she had done. But now I have an out of state summons to appear in court unless I pay in full. What can I do to get this resolved? Do I have to go out of state, miss work, and pay to go there for the court apperanc?. What is the best was I can handle it?
Asked on April 2, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, the creditor does not have to take your rebuttle at face value--otherwise, everyone would simply disclaim their bills by claiming someone stole their identity. When there is a factual issue--i.e. whether you incurred the bill or not--the matter almost always has to go to trial if the parties do not settle in advance. For the reasons you describe (with an out-of-state court, the cost of travel and time out from work--and also legal fees, if you hire an attorney, as you should), you would probably be best served by either paying the full amount or trying to negotiate/settle at some amount you can afford--then sue your roommate to try to recover the money from him or her.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.