When it Rains.....

[cmcre]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Michigan

I Received a judgement letter in the mail Saturday stating that I defaulted(I guess not responding)
First I never received a summons, secondly the bill was only $871.00 to begin with.They're trying to collect $3,865.00.

Do I file a motion to vacate?
Is it too late to have the plaintiff validate the debt?
Can I still negotiate?

Plus I'm already going through a summons with another collector.

 

[Debt Guy]

If you were never served, you can file a motion to vacate the judgment. You should go to the courthouse, ask to see your file, and then read to see what it says about service. That will guide you on whether or not to file the motion and what to claim in your motion. The court clerk might be able to give you a sample of a motion to vacate.

It is too late to ask that the original debt be validated. You can ask that the judgment be validated, but that is largely a waste of postage.

Yes, you can negotiate. But, you have lost much of your bargaining power. The next step will be garnishment of wages, bank accounts, etc.

The amount of the judgement is higher than the original debt for several reasons -- interest, fees, attorney fees, court costs, etc.