Received a Summons. Questions

[Melman]

What is the name of your state?Florida

I received a summons today regarding a credit card debt I have accumulated in the amount of $4,500.

The debt was being handled by a law firm that I verbally agreed to make payments to, since they threatened to take legal action if I did not. This was a credit card account I had opened up back in 2001 in the state of Ohio.

I did pay $100 dollars a month since last October, but a few times months I missed. The lady on the phone I arranged this with said there was no set due date just pay each month. When I did miss a payment, I would double up on payments and this past October they cashed a check for $300.00 for September(which I missed payment on), October, and for November.

Anyways, now I got a summons and it states I am to appear for a pre-trial conference on November 21st. It says the court may or may not grant me a payment arangement, and withhold judgment, execution or levy.

After that form, there is a copy of a complaint stating I am being sued for the amount and if I default on judgment will be charged $750 dollars in attorney fees.

The thing that confuses me is that after that there is a letter from the law firm. There is no date on the letter and it just says you have now been served with a complaint and it says I am enclosing your review and signature a Stipulation for Entry of Final Judgment Execution Withheld. Then there is a copy of the Stipulation for Entry of Final Judgment Execution Withheld and it says if I sign this I have to pay a specific amount each month and if I am late by five days, I will default and I cannot waive any garnishment defenses if an execution order is filed.

I am confused. Can I make payment arrangements? If I do will I still have to go to the pre-conference trial hearing? I live alone so can they legally garnish wages? And also I am worried about my car which is a 2004 and is paid in full, but I need to have that to get to work.

What can I expect. I fully agree to pay the debt, but am unable to pay in one lump sum. Why did I get summons, stipulation and complaint stating I am being sued?

Lots of questions, I know. Please respond. I greatly appreciate any info you can provide.

Thanks.