I live in Missouri.
A couple of days ago my roommate handed me a slip of paper that said it was from the sheriff's department, asking me to call their office in order to receive court documents.
In the past week I've received letters from lawyers notifying me of, and offering assistance to, a pending lawsuit against a credit card company suing me for past debt. I think the debt has come to <$1000 with all of the interest over several years.
I looked up the lawsuit in Missouri's court website, it was filed about a week ago, and is marked "not disposed". I'm assuming it is "not disposed" because there is no confirmed address on file for me, and that is the purpose of the sheriff's notice.
Am I legally required to respond to this sheriff's notice?
I make $10k/yr or less, which has been the case for at least the past 7 years. I only work part-time, and have been unable to find work that I'm qualified for. I have Social Anxiety Disorder so there are only certain jobs I can do, without having a nervous breakdown, or otherwise working under torturous psychological pain. It also makes job interviews and job searching very difficult.
Given that I live in poverty, could a judge make a default judgement that my wages be garnished and/or property (I have no vehicle..) be seized? What can I expect if this goes to trial? I cannot afford an attorney, or file bankruptcy (which is nearly the same amount as what I owe).
A couple of days ago my roommate handed me a slip of paper that said it was from the sheriff's department, asking me to call their office in order to receive court documents.
In the past week I've received letters from lawyers notifying me of, and offering assistance to, a pending lawsuit against a credit card company suing me for past debt. I think the debt has come to <$1000 with all of the interest over several years.
I looked up the lawsuit in Missouri's court website, it was filed about a week ago, and is marked "not disposed". I'm assuming it is "not disposed" because there is no confirmed address on file for me, and that is the purpose of the sheriff's notice.
Am I legally required to respond to this sheriff's notice?
I make $10k/yr or less, which has been the case for at least the past 7 years. I only work part-time, and have been unable to find work that I'm qualified for. I have Social Anxiety Disorder so there are only certain jobs I can do, without having a nervous breakdown, or otherwise working under torturous psychological pain. It also makes job interviews and job searching very difficult.
Given that I live in poverty, could a judge make a default judgement that my wages be garnished and/or property (I have no vehicle..) be seized? What can I expect if this goes to trial? I cannot afford an attorney, or file bankruptcy (which is nearly the same amount as what I owe).