Sorority Debt Feud

[dolly09]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My freshmen year of College I joined a sorority during the Fall 2003 semester. By Spring 2004 I had already had enough with my "sisters" and left the sorority. I stopped attending meetings, and social events, and called to their attention that I was no longer interested in being a sorority member, being that I really was never "officially" a member. My Bylaws state that a pining ceremony is required to be an official member of the said sorority, and I never went through this initiation.

Summer of 2004 I had conversations back and fourth with internationals about me owing dues for the months that I no longer attended meetings or social events. I made her aware of the fact that I was never "officially" initiated, although she said I still am a member I never received another email again.

Now in 2009 I received Certified Mail saying I owe $641 to my chapter, and if I don’t pay in full they will turn it over to a collection agency.

I know the Texas statute of limitations of collecting a debt is 4 years. So is it 4 years once the debt has occurred or once the debt becomes a problem?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by dolly09

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My freshmen year of College I joined a sorority during the Fall 2003 semester. By Spring 2004 I had already had enough with my "sisters" and left the sorority. I stopped attending meetings, and social events, and called to their attention that I was no longer interested in being a sorority member, being that I really was never "officially" a member. My Bylaws state that a pining ceremony is required to be an official member of the said sorority, and I never went through this initiation.

Summer of 2004 I had conversations back and fourth with internationals about me owing dues for the months that I no longer attended meetings or social events. I made her aware of the fact that I was never "officially" initiated, although she said I still am a member I never received another email again.

Now in 2009 I received Certified Mail saying I owe $641 to my chapter, and if I don’t pay in full they will turn it over to a collection agency.

I know the Texas statute of limitations of collecting a debt is 4 years. So is it 4 years once the debt has occurred or once the debt becomes a problem?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Do you still reside in TX?

[JakeB]

Originally Posted by dolly09

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I know the Texas statute of limitations of collecting a debt is 4 years. So is it 4 years once the debt has occurred or once the debt becomes a problem?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

The Texas law states: A person must bring suit on the following actions not later than four years after the day the cause of action accrues.

The cause of action accrued when you defaulted. For example, if you had to pay on June 1, 2004, and you didn't, then the cause of action accrued on June 2, 2004. On June 2, 2004 you could have been sued for breaching the contract.

[dolly09]

So basically, it is too late for them to collect the debt? They are claiming that for the past 6 years they have been using alumni members donations to clear my debt, and now they are in a pickle because of it. It really seems like their problem not mine... thats unfair and makes me sound rude but it really is a mess of a situation.

Thank you for the advice! It really is going to save me months of headaches. Now I can concentrate on battling signs of what is shockingly similar to swine flu. I Love Texas.

[JakeB]

Originally Posted by dolly09

So basically, it is too late for them to collect the debt?

Well, some clarification may be in order: The statute of limitations does not prevent a creditor from attempting to collect. So, your case could still be turned over to a collection agency, and you could still get those annoying phone calls, and your credit can still be negatively affected. The statute of limitations is a defense in a lawsuit. So if you were sued, then you would raise that as a defense to win the case.

[dolly09]

How could I keep them from turning it over to a collection agency? If it is too late for them to sue me, how can they still try to collect the through an agency?

[CourtClerk]

You never answered the question as to whether or not you still reside in TX, which could mean that the answer you received (and loved) by JakeB is incorrect...

[dolly09]

If you go back and look you'll see that I already stated that I am still in Texas.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by dolly09

If you go back and look you'll see that I already stated that I am still in Texas.

Where?

Originally Posted by dolly09

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My freshmen year of College I joined a sorority during the Fall 2003 semester. By Spring 2004 I had already had enough with my "sisters" and left the sorority. I stopped attending meetings, and social events, and called to their attention that I was no longer interested in being a sorority member, being that I really was never "officially" a member. My Bylaws state that a pining ceremony is required to be an official member of the said sorority, and I never went through this initiation.

Summer of 2004 I had conversations back and fourth with internationals about me owing dues for the months that I no longer attended meetings or social events. I made her aware of the fact that I was never "officially" initiated, although she said I still am a member I never received another email again.

Now in 2009 I received Certified Mail saying I owe $641 to my chapter, and if I don’t pay in full they will turn it over to a collection agency.

I know the Texas statute of limitations of collecting a debt is 4 years. So is it 4 years once the debt has occurred or once the debt becomes a problem?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Originally Posted by dolly09

So basically, it is too late for them to collect the debt? They are claiming that for the past 6 years they have been using alumni members donations to clear my debt, and now they are in a pickle because of it. It really seems like their problem not mine... thats unfair and makes me sound rude but it really is a mess of a situation.

Thank you for the advice! It really is going to save me months of headaches. Now I can concentrate on battling signs of what is shockingly similar to swine flu. I Love Texas.

Originally Posted by dolly09

How could I keep them from turning it over to a collection agency? If it is too late for them to sue me, how can they still try to collect the through an agency?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by dolly09

If you go back and look you'll see that I already stated that I am still in Texas.

**A: well, Hello Dolly.

[dolly09]

I'll make it easy for you.

It asked " What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I responded "Texas"

It did not say " What WAS the name of your state (only U.S. law)?"

Being that it said "What IS the name of your state (only U.S.law)?" Would mean the present state that I reside in.

Deductive reasoning works miracles does it not???

AND if you are still confused, here is another example where you could use deductive reasoning.

Second Time:
"Thank you for the advice! It really is going to save me months of headaches. Now I can concentrate on battling signs of what is shockingly similar to swine flu. I Love Texas."

Have a good day <3 !!!

[Zigner]

Ok Weisenheimer -

You were asked SPECIFICALLY if you STILL were in Texas. There is a reason for that question. Nice attitude - good luck and pay your bills!

Originally Posted by dolly09

I'll make it easy for you.

It asked " What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I responded "Texas"

It did not say " What WAS the name of your state (only U.S. law)?"

Being that it said "What IS the name of your state (only U.S.law)?" Would mean the present state that I reside in.

Deductive reasoning works miracles does it not???

AND if you are still confused, here is another example where you could use deductive reasoning.

Second Time:
"Thank you for the advice! It really is going to save me months of headaches. Now I can concentrate on battling signs of what is shockingly similar to swine flu. I Love Texas."

Have a good day <3 !!!

[Zigner]

I'd like to point out...you never even said the college itself was in TX

And, the phrase is "back and forth"

Maybe you should have stayed in school

[JakeB]

Originally Posted by dolly09

How could I keep them from turning it over to a collection agency? If it is too late for them to sue me, how can they still try to collect the through an agency?

Well, the statute of limitations is a defense in a lawsuit. It does not restrict collection activity or lawsuits. It just means that you can win a lawsuit if it applies. Therefore, a collection agency could still ask you to pay.

Here's how you can deal with the collection agency: After you are contacted, find out their address and send a certified letter stating that you do not want to be contacted again. Federal law basically states that they cannot contact you again except to tell you they are suing. And now we get back to the statute of limitations.

Your credit report is a completely separate matter and can have the negative information for 7 years, so the time is not up for that yet.

I hope that helps.

[>Charlotte<]

Originally Posted by dolly09

I'll make it easy for you...Deductive reasoning works miracles does it not??? AND if you are still confused, here is another example where you could use deductive reasoning.

Wow. It was a simple request for clarification as to whether you are, in fact, in Texas, and did not state "Texas" because that's where the sorority is, or because you though the relevent statutes would be Texas statutes.

There's certainly no need for the snotty Sorority Girl attitude. A request for clarification is usually an indication that somebody is preparing to help you. Voluntarily.