If my husband received a summons and complaint for a medical bill, can we just pay it to the collections agency or do we have to get an lawyer and go through the courts?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my husband received a summons and complaint for a medical bill, can we just pay it to the collections agency or do we have to get an lawyer and go through the courts?
I’m not sure what to do next?
Asked on December 10, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You can offer to pay it to the collections agency; they can accept your payment and dismiss the action. If you want to do this, ask them to provide some evidence that they either now own the debt or are representing the doctor or hospital (that is, that they have the right to collect the money ) and--very important!--make sure that you get a settlement agreement in writing, under which they agree in writing to dismiss the case, that you have paid all amounts you owe, and they will not sue or take other action against you for this bill.
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.