Sued by Howard Lee Schiff? How to Settle

Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Howard Lee Schiff PC is suing you? Respond promptly to avoid a default judgment. File an Answer, dispute claims, or negotiate a settlement to resolve the debt. Solo can help you do all this and more.

Being served is never fun, and having a debt collector call you can be extremely stressful. Unfortunately, it is very common to be in debt in the United States.

Between the stress of financial matters, debt collector calls and correspondence, and the other stressors in life, it can be tempting to ignore the issue. Unfortunately, that is the worst step you can take and could result in a lawsuit.

One well-known debt collector who may be calling you is The Office of Howard Lee Schiff, PC. If this debt collector is suing you or has already obtained a judgment against you, you have options to resolve the debt. Keep reading to learn more.

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Who is Howard Lee Schiff?

The Law Offices Howard Lee Schiff, P.C. is a law office out of Hartford Connecticut. The law firm has been in business since 1959, and they have several offices across the United States.

The firm provides “consumer legal collections for corporations, essentially debt collection.”

Who does Howard Lee Schiff, PC, collect for?

Howard Lee Schiff, PC, is a law firm that specializes in collecting retail debt for creditors nationwide. The firm collects debts for department stores, credit cards, retail centers, and debt buyers. We have confirmed data that Howard Lee Schiff, PC collects for:

Danbury Hospital
Norwalk Hospital
Portfolio Recovery Associates
TD Bank, USA

The above list is not comprehensive. If you’ve received communication from Howard Lee Schiff, PC, they should provide the name of the original creditor.

Know your rights

If Howard Lee Schiff, PC, is calling you, then you should never agree to unsustainable payment arrangements. This will only add stress to your life. Instead, know your rights.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed in 1977. This law prevents third-party debt collectors from harassing you.

Debt collectors may not:

Yell or use rude language as a form of intimidation.
Call me at work if this is banned.
Call before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm without your permission.
Lie and state that you may be arrested or imprisoned for not paying a debt.
Disclose details of your debt with any uninvolved third parties.
Continue to contact you after you have requested no contact or you have hired representation.

How to respond if Howard Lee Schiff files a lawsuit against you

There have been many reported instances of beating Howard Lee Schiff with a well-prepared defense. You have two options. The first is to utilize a settlement strategy that allows you to settle the debt and put an end to the lawsuit. The second option is to head to court and fight. Let’s explore which is the best alternative for you.

Respond to the lawsuit

The first mistake many people make when they are sued for not paying a debt is a failure to respond. Typically, you will be notified by a Summons and Complaint. Assuming the debt is legitimate, and you cannot afford to pay it, you may feel like you do not have many options. What is important to remember is that you must respond.

(Learn how to respond in your state here.)

If you fail to respond to a lawsuit brought forward by Howard Lee Schiff, they will automatically receive a default judgment against you. This provides the ability to garnish your wages or take money directly from your bank account. They will also be able to add extra fees to your debt. This might include court costs, attorney's fees, and huge amounts of interest.

Responding to the initial Summons and Complaint isn’t complicated. You just need to file an Answer within the specified time period (usually 14-30 days). Solo can help you create and file an Answer in minutes.

When responding to the lawsuit, be sure to abide by the following:

Never admit liability. Instead, force the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff to prove your responsibility and debt.
File your answer to the lawsuit with the Clerk of Court.
Send a copy of the Answer as certified mail to the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff.

SoloSuit makes it simple to respond the right way.

Point out the statute of limitations

There is a statute of limitations that govern how long creditors are able to bring a lawsuit for a debt. These statutes of limitations can vary from state to state, but the average ranges between four to six years.

(Find out the statute of limitations in your state here.)

The time period of the statute of limitation will begin on the last day you were active on that account. This activity can be defined in a few ways, such as making a payment, pulling funds from an account, or making a purchase.

After you are in the process of a lawsuit, it is important to avoid making any more payments on the debt. This is because doing so may restart the time period of the statute of limitations.

Challenge their right to sue

One option when responding to a debt lawsuit is to challenge their right to file a lawsuit against you. This is because oftentimes, the debt may have been sold through multiple debt collectors. If you ask for this documentation, they will be required to provide two main things.

The first proof of documentation is the original credit agreement you signed. The second is proof that the paperwork for the debt is accurate. This means it will need to have proof that it came from the original creditor.

If they cannot provide this documentation, then they may not legally be able to bring the lawsuit to court. This can push the judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Push Back on Burden of Proof

If you are going to court against the Offices of Howard Lee Schiff, then they must be able to prove the following:

You are responsible for the debt
You owe the specified amount
They are legally allowed to sue you

Options that you have to demand proof that you owe a specific amount may include showing the following:

That the balance was increased when you had made a purchase
The balance increased due to fees and charges part of the original credit agreement (if you did not agree to fees, they cannot legally sue you for this).
That the current balance is accurate.
The current balance reflects all previous payments and adjustments made.

If the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff can’t provide this documentation quickly, you may be able to have your case dismissed.

File for bankruptcy

If you are suffering from other financial issues, along with owing a debt, then bankruptcy is a file option. When you file for bankruptcy, you will be given an “automatic stay.” This means that all of the activity regarding the debt collection activity must stop during these processes. It is good to note that this should only be done in severe cases, as it can severely damage your credit.

Settle your debt with Howard Lee Schiff, PC.

If fighting in court seems overwhelming, debt settlement may be the best solution for you. When exploring debt settlement, take the following steps:

Step 1: Verify the debt

Send a debt validation letter to confirm that the debt is yours. Request the following details:

Name of the original creditor
Amount owed
Account information connecting you to the debt
The last activity on the account

Step 2: Make a settlement offer

Evaluate your finances and determine how much you can reasonably offer to settle, then make the initial settlement offer. SoloSettle can help draft and track your correspondence and provide a safe means of payment once you’ve reached an agreement on the settlement amount.

Step 3: Get written confirmation

Once you reach an agreement, ensure you get a signed settlement agreement that outlines the agreed amount, confirms the forgiveness of the remaining debt, and details the payment process.

Following these steps will help you navigate the debt settlement process more smoothly. Solo is here to empower you to handle debt resolution with minimal stress.

Prepare to negotiate and read Howard Lee Schiff, PC. reviews online

Reading online reviews may help you formulate the best strategy for resolving a debt with them. You can find consumer reviews at:

Howard Lee Schiff, PC reviews on its Better Business Bureau profile
Howard Lee Schiff, PC reviews on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consumer database

The law firm has mixed reviews online. However, they’ve remained in business for over six decades, meaning they understand the debt collection business.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Debt collector guides

Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

Check your case status

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.

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Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt, along with other credit-related resources.

Debt collection FAQs

Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.

Debt collection documents and templates

If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.

Debt relief

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

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Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created state guides on debt settlement. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

Eviction

Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.

Federal debt collection laws

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Legal aid

Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.

Medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing with medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Personal finance

Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.

State debt collection laws

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state’s statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Wage garnishment

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.