Dena Standley | March 06, 2023
Summary: Yes, you can settle a warrant in debt before you go to court. If you are being sued for a debt, you should respond to the lawsuit as quickly as possible. You can reach out to the person or company suing you at any point to settle the debt. You may have to pay it off in full, but there is a good chance the opposing party will settle for less. Make a settlement offer with the help of SoloSettle in a matter of minutes.
Getting sued for an old debt is frustrating and stressful. The case against you is going to court, and you have a limited timeframe to take action to protect your rights.
You’ll need to take action if you don’t want the case to become part of your public record. You have a few alternatives: pay off the debt in full before your court date, attempt to come to a settlement agreement with your creditor, or file an Answer and fight the case.
If you know you owe money to the creditor and that they own your debt, paying the debt protects you from a potential default judgment. To avoid a judgment, you’ll need to pay the total amount before your court date.
Paying the total amount ensures that you won’t need to worry about future legal action from the creditor. The creditor will drop the lawsuit against you since you no longer owe them money.
However, paying off the debt in full may not be an available option if you don’t have the financial means. If you can’t afford to pay the debt before your court date, you should attempt to work out a payment arrangement or settlement with the creditor.
A payment arrangement with the creditor allows you to make monthly payments for a given period until you pay off the debt. Payment arrangements are helpful for individuals who want to avoid a judgment but don’t have the money available to pay the entire debt before the court case.
Not all creditors will agree to a payment arrangement, especially if they’re pursuing a warrant in debt. If the court grants them a judgment against you, they can use it to collect the money from you quickly, typically by garnishing your wages or freezing your bank account.
A payment arrangement might not be a satisfactory choice for your creditor, especially if they don’t believe you’ll keep up with the agreement. The creditor can find themselves in the same position of having to sue you if you don’t adhere to the plan.
If you want to negotiate a payment arrangement, offer as much as possible in monthly payments to satisfy the debt. It would be best if you attempted to pay the debt within four to six months. Paying off the debt in a short timeframe shows the creditor you’re serious about eliminating your obligation to them.
Your creditor may agree to a settlement, even if they have a warrant in debt against you.
If you want to settle your debt, start the process quickly. Send the creditor an email explaining your financial situation and what you’d like to offer them in exchange for wiping out your remaining balance.
It’s best to start with an offer of at least 60% of the value of the total obligation. The creditor will likely counter your offer with one of their own. You may go through several negotiation rounds before reaching a favorable agreement.
You can start the settlement negotiation process by sending an offer with the help of SoloSettle. You may go through several rounds of negotiations before you reach an agreement, but luckily, SoloSettle can assist you through the entire process.
Once you agree, make sure to get it in writing. Ask the creditor to report the debt as paid in full to all three credit reporting bureaus. Most debt collectors and creditors will agree to your request even if you’re not paying the entire amount due.
Make sure to abide by the terms of the settlement agreement exactly. If you fail to adhere to the terms, the debt collector can cancel the deal, and you may face another lawsuit.
Yes, even if you plan to pay the debt or settle it before your court date, filing an Answer is still essential. An Answer stops the creditor from obtaining a default judgment against you. Sometimes, debt collectors will use sneaky tactics to get a default judgment, even if there’s an existing settlement agreement.
In your Answer, you should respond to all of the points in the Complaint against you. If you don’t believe the debt is valid, include the reasons why in your Answer.
Some people find that the statute of limitations has expired, and the collector can no longer pursue the case in court.
Other people may be victims of identity theft. If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, you shouldn’t owe any money. You’ll want to take specific steps to restore your identity, like reporting the case to the police and the FTC.
SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer to your debt lawsuit in all 50 states. Check out this video to learn more:
SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.
You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.
SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.
>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)
Here's a list of guides for other states.
Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.
You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now are are just look for support, we're here for you.
Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.
Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide
Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.
Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?
How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?
What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?
Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?
If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?
Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?
Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?
What is a default judgment?— What do I do?
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?
What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?
What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency
What is a Stipulated Judgment?
What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?
Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?
Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?
Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?
Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?
Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide
Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?
Should I Marry Someone With Debt?
Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?
How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?
Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?
What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?
Does Student Debt Die With You?
Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?
How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?
How Long Does a Judgment Last?
Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?
Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?
Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?
What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?
Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?
Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.
How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide
How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency
Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.
Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit
New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt
Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors
The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah
West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt
What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained
Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector
Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt
Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim
Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector
How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment
How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont
North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt
ClearPoint Debt Management Review
Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say
CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review
How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter
How to Appear in Court by Phone
How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands
Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement
Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do
How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa
How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court
Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review
Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?
Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?
How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?
How Long Does a Judgement Last?
How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?
How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court
Out Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.
"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather