If Ihave been served a summons for an unpaid credit card of $8100, what is my best option?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If Ihave been served a summons for an unpaid credit card of $8100, what is my best option?
Do nothing, answer the summons and go to court, or file bankruptcy. In 09/09 I was unable to pay credit card after my wife lost her job. Also stopped paying mortgage. Got mortgage going again in 07/10 but have fallen behind 5 months since. Can’t pay the house so I certainly can’t pay the credit card.
Asked on March 7, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Arizona
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Do NOT simply ignore the summons--if you do, you lose by default and the creditor gets a judgment that they can try to enforce against (e.g. with wage garnishment, with liens, etc.) for *years* to come. Definitely--while deciding what to do in a larger sense--file your answer, make your appearance, etc.; do it pro se (on you own; no attorney) if you need to, but at least this way, you'll force the process to unfold, buying time, rather than losing immediately by not responding.
You probably should consider bankrupty in your position. While bankruptcy clearly will hurt your credit rating, it arguably will not hurt it more (or least much more) than defaulting on a number of debts and having judgments against you--plus, it will let you get out from under the debts and start over. You should consult with a bankrutpcy attorney.
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.