summons in IL for target card - need advice

[NEEDHELPINIL]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I received a summons today to appear in 7 days to dupage county court for a target credit card bill.

First question is the time allowed to respond, 7 days doesn't seem like a lot of time.

Second is I owe the money and I'm not trying to stiff the company - My job went to Mexico and the cards got used hard. I have tried working with target but they insist that the whole amount be paid. Even said to borrow from friends / relatives.

Where do I start with 7 day to work with?

Thanks for the time -

[Chien]

Very good IL sites. Forms, explanations and advice. Unfortunately, you just missed the first Q&A webcast about getting pro bono help, which ran from 3:00 – 5:00 PM your time. Take a look anyway. Your state has great sites to assist you; use them.
[url]http://www.illinoislegaladvocate.org/index.cfm[/url]

[url]http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/[/url]

[url]http://www.law.siu.edu/selfhelp/info/court/[/url]

[Chien]

Was rushing yesterday and also thought there was a possibility of that webcast being repeated, which would have been a help. (BTW, those are very good sites.)

When you say that “target insists on the whole amount”, do you mean Target, its CA or the attorney who sued you. Who you’re dealing with makes a difference, especially if it’s any other than the attorney.

My advice, if you can’t make payment in full in a lump-sum, is to get a response on file – look at the site and use the “search” function here for links to content. The response is to CYA and avoid a default. The fact of the response tells the attorney that there will be more work to do. That, in turn, may help negotiations.

If your looking for a payment plan, and your work takes you out of the country for any length of time, that cuts two ways in terms of negotiations. They may worry that you’re not around to make timely payments and worry about the possibility of enforcement, if you default. I’d keep it off the table, if I could, but understand that it’s a possible issue for discussion and have a solution to propose, if it comes up.

Good luck.