Creditor has accepted a payment

California.
I sent a Western Union money wire to a creditor, which they accepted 21 days ago. In the meantime, they are trying to take collections and possibly legal action against me.

Aren't there some laws regarding what Creditors can do once they accept a payment, even if it is smalled than the payment due?

How long do they have to "refuse" the smaller payment?

[JETX]

Q1) "Aren't there some laws regarding what Creditors can do once they accept a payment, even if it is smalled than the payment due?"
A1) No. A creditor can AT HIS OPTION accept a lessor amount than due, but that acceptance does NOT hinder any attempts by them to collect on the debt.

Q2) "How long do they have to "refuse" the smaller payment?"
A2) They don't have to 'refuse' the smaller payment. They can accept it and credit your account for that smaller amount. It just means that you are overdue on less than the full amount.

You seem to have a (common) misassumption that a creditor loses some rights if they accept a smaller than due payment. They don't. They can still take ANY allowed action against you and are under NO obligation to accept less than owed.