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Served with Summons today

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tngoose2

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN

I was served with a Summons today for a debt over $18,000. Last payment made on this account was in 2005 in the amount of $7,000. Couldn't make the payments the debt collector wanted to continue to pay on the debt, so I just stopped paying anything at all. They never contacted me again until now. In 2005 the balance was approximately $6,000. Should I let a default judgement go down or try to defend myself against all the interest charged over the last 3 years? Court date is 8/18. Thanks to anyone who can help.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
 


TN_Defender

Junior Member
Your debt is still within the statute of limitations, which is 6 years in Tennessee.

I never, ever recommend just letting something go into a default judgment. Go to court, please. Bring any documentation you may have. Chances are good that the plaintiff's attorney won't have anything other than an affidavit, depending on who the original creditor is.

As far as whether or not you should attempt to defend yourself, it really depends on the county where your case is being heard. Some county General Sessions judges are more debtor-friendly than others. If I knew what county your case is in, I could give you better info.

Either way, if you believe that the plaintiff's statement of how much you owe isn't correct, or if you dispute the interest and other fees, you need to show up to court and do the following:

1. Don't talk to the plaintiff's attorney before your case is called.
2. When your case is called, the judge will ask you if you owe the debt. Say that you want to enter a sworn denial. (If the judge asks you why or asks for more detail, say that you don't believe you owe it, and if you do owe anything, that you don't believe you owe what they say you owe.) That will negate the plaintiff's affidavit. The burden will then fall on the plaintiff to provide proof of the debt... and a bunch of credit card statements won't suffice. They'll have to provide a contract or agreement with your signature as well as terms and conditions of the agreement.

At this point, the plaintiff's attorney will ask to reset the case for trial. If the judge seems sympathetic to you, then you could try to argue that you came prepared for court TODAY, that you had to take off work, etc., and you'd like to have this resolved today. The judge may sympathize with you. Most likely, however, he'll reset your case to a later date - probably 30 to 60 days out - to give the plaintiff's attorney time to gather documents.

The plaintiff's attorney may attempt to talk with you after court to "make a deal" on the account. Don't do it. Be polite and courteous, but make it clear that you want to wait until the next court date.

DO NOT MISS THE NEXT COURT DATE!

At the next court date, if the plaintiff's attorney does not have the necessary documents, then you need to tell the judge that the plaintiff hasn't met his burden of proof and you request that the case be dismissed with prejudice.

If the plaintiff's attorney does bring documents, you need to make sure that the court gives you plenty of time to review them - it's your right to examine any evidence. If the plaintiff brings just a bunch of monthly credit card statements and no signed contract, then explain to the court that the documents are not sufficient evidence - there's nothing with your signature and nothing evidencing that the account truly belongs to you. Ask for the case to be dismissed.

If the plaintiff does bring a signed contract, make sure that it's your signature. If everything looks good - if they have a contract with your signature, go through the paperwork and look for an accounting of the interest that you're disputing. Try to bring that into question. You don't want a judgment against you for more than you actually owe.

If the court gives judgment to the plaintiff, then you can talk to the attorney after court to set up some sort of payment arrangement. If the attorney won't work with you, then go straight to the court clerk's office and ask to file a Slow Pay Motion - to get set up on a monthly payment plan under the protection of the court. The clerk will give you a form to fill out and you'll have to pay a small fee to file the motion.
 

tngoose2

Junior Member
Hi and thank you so much for the great info! Do I need to Answer the Summons? What about filing an Affidavit denying the debt, before the court date. An Affidavit from the 2nd party creditor was attached to the summons. Summons was filed in Williamson County General Sessions. Thanks heaps!
 

Debt Guy

Senior Member
You need to file an answer -- an affidavit is not the proper documentation.

Your answer can be a general denial. You might find a sample on your court's website or you can ask the court clerk to see a sample.

The only way to make the creditor prove the amount of the claim is through discovery. After filing the answer, you file a request for admissions, interrogatories and documents. Drafting one is not hard but requires some basic knowledge of legal procedures; which you seem not to have. You can purchase a decent reference guide at nolo.com.

Some personal thoughts -- Albert Einstein, reputedly a smart guy, said the strongest force in the universe was compound interest. Interest at the default rate of 35% plus fees and costs can easily make a principal balance more than double in 3 years. I would bet that the creditor will be able to prove the amount of the claim -- maybe not to the penny but pretty darn close. To make them jump through the hoops in court will do nothing but drive up the cost to you -- remember you are paying their attorney fees.

If this is your debt, and it seems you so admit, then make a deal now. It is the cheapest way out of the problem. If you can't; then you can't. I just hate to see you fight a battle that I think you will lose in the end and end up hurting yourself.

If you think you have a defense, by all means assert your defense.
 

tngoose2

Junior Member
You need to file an answer -- an affidavit is not the proper documentation.

Your answer can be a general denial. You might find a sample on your court's website or you can ask the court clerk to see a sample.

The only way to make the creditor prove the amount of the claim is through discovery. After filing the answer, you file a request for admissions, interrogatories and documents. Drafting one is not hard but requires some basic knowledge of legal procedures; which you seem not to have. You can purchase a decent reference guide at nolo.com.

Some personal thoughts -- Albert Einstein, reputedly a smart guy, said the strongest force in the universe was compound interest. Interest at the default rate of 35% plus fees and costs can easily make a principal balance more than double in 3 years. I would bet that the creditor will be able to prove the amount of the claim -- maybe not to the penny but pretty darn close. To make them jump through the hoops in court will do nothing but drive up the cost to you -- remember you are paying their attorney fees.

If this is your debt, and it seems you so admit, then make a deal now. It is the cheapest way out of the problem. If you can't; then you can't. I just hate to see you fight a battle that I think you will lose in the end and end up hurting yourself.

If you think you have a defense, by all means assert your defense.
Thank you very much for your reply. Actually, I do have a basic knowledge of legal procedures as I was an Admistrative Assistant for a law firm for 15 yrs. However, we did not do much in the area of collections; a few subrogation cases here and there only.

While I do not deny owing some of this money, the fact that this account was charged off by the OC in 2006 then sold/transferred to someone else to collect only because they would not take payments for any amount close to what we could/can afford, really ticks me off!! Now, we have tons of interest added the principal amount.

I will draft an Answer and file it with the court. Should I also include a set of interrogatories and requests for production of documents at the same time I file the Answer? Should I move the Court to strike the Plaintiff's affidavit, which was attached to the Summons, then file my own Affidavit denying the debt? Can all this be done simultaneously when the Answer is filed? Also, do you recommend sending a validation ltr. to Plaintiff's attorney?

Thanks so much!
 

TN_Defender

Junior Member
Don't file an answer - this is general sessions court and not a court of record. In Tennessee, General Sessions court is NOT a court of record.

Here is what you need to do in Williamson County. Be careful there - they are sticklers in Franklin and not especially debtor-friendly. If you send in a bunch of answers and interrogatories, they won't take too kindly to it because General Sessions really isn't the forum for that. Circuit and Chancery are fine, but not General Sessions.

What you will need to do is show up to the General Sessions court date - it's really like a cattle call, to be honest. When the judge calls your case, give an oral sworn denial. Tell the judge you do not believe you owe what they say you owe and ask for the plaintiff to produce documents and a witness.

The judge will reset the case for trial. If the plaintiff starts to argue, restate that you want to give a sworn denial - that you do not believe you owe anything, or that you do not owe what they say you owe. BE NICE, POLITE AND COURTEOUS!

At the reset hearing, do not talk to the plaintiff's attorney. When the judge calls your case, be sure you have had a chance to review the plaintiff's documentary evidence - if not, TELL THE JUDGE! It is HIGHLY likely that the plaintiff won't have anything worthwhile and if you show up to the reset hearing, they'll most likely dismiss the case because you called their bluff.

Again, DO NOT SEND a bunch of answers and interrogatories.
 

tngoose2

Junior Member
Don't file an answer - this is general sessions court and not a court of record. In Tennessee, General Sessions court is NOT a court of record.

Here is what you need to do in Williamson County. Be careful there - they are sticklers in Franklin and not especially debtor-friendly. If you send in a bunch of answers and interrogatories, they won't take too kindly to it because General Sessions really isn't the forum for that. Circuit and Chancery are fine, but not General Sessions.

What you will need to do is show up to the General Sessions court date - it's really like a cattle call, to be honest. When the judge calls your case, give an oral sworn denial. Tell the judge you do not believe you owe what they say you owe and ask for the plaintiff to produce documents and a witness.

The judge will reset the case for trial. If the plaintiff starts to argue, restate that you want to give a sworn denial - that you do not believe you owe anything, or that you do not owe what they say you owe. BE NICE, POLITE AND COURTEOUS!

At the reset hearing, do not talk to the plaintiff's attorney. When the judge calls your case, be sure you have had a chance to review the plaintiff's documentary evidence - if not, TELL THE JUDGE! It is HIGHLY likely that the plaintiff won't have anything worthwhile and if you show up to the reset hearing, they'll most likely dismiss the case because you called their bluff.

Again, DO NOT SEND a bunch of answers and interrogatories.

Thank you so much! Your info has made more sense to me than anything else I've read to date. Have talked with 2 attorneys and neither one thinks we should fight this case. The advice was to talk to the JDB and settle. I think these attorneys either do not want to handle it or, have no idea what they are talking about.

You are sure the Sworn Denial should be only oral and not written? What about a DV ltr. to the JDB attorney before the hearing? Any thoughts on that ?

Your great TN_Defender!!!
 

Debt Guy

Senior Member
I'm no expert in TN procedures and certainly defer to someone who sounds like they have good hands on experience and insight.

However, I can tell you that a DV is of very little use at this stage. All you will get as a reply is the name and address of the original creditor. There is no harm in demanding validation -- but I would not put any of my hopes on a result that was helpful to your case.

About the best that could come from a DV request would be if the attorney failed to respond -- in with case you would have a cross-claim against the attorney for an FDCPA violation. I don't think that would play well into a court system that is not pro se debtor-tolerant.

Good luck.
 

Hrach

Junior Member
Help please.. Similar situation

Your debt is still within the statute of limitations, which is 6 years in Tennessee.

I never, ever recommend just letting something go into a default judgment. Go to court, please. Bring any documentation you may have. Chances are good that the plaintiff's attorney won't have anything other than an affidavit, depending on who the original creditor is.

As far as whether or not you should attempt to defend yourself, it really depends on the county where your case is being heard. Some county General Sessions judges are more debtor-friendly than others. If I knew what county your case is in, I could give you better info.


QUOTE]

Hello TN_Defender/ Everyone. Sorry to squeeze into this conversation with another question but you seem to know a little about these "stuff". Anyway my mom lives in California, and was summoned and is being sued by Citibank. She responded to the summons within 30 days and requested for the validation of the dept. It has been more than 40+ days and there has not been any response. She filed Request to dismiss the suit, and I just checked the status online, it says "REJECT SHEET SENT TO (*******) FOR REJECTION
OF REQUEST FOR DISMISSAL DUE TO PLAINTIFF OR PLAINTIFF'S
ATTORNEY OF RECORD BEING THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN DISMISS
THIS ACTION SUBMITTED ON 07/11/08"

Should i have included on the "request to dismiss form" that Plaintiff's attorneys did not respond to Defendant's request for validation within 30 days pursuant to the FDCPA.?? Wouldn't they see it going through the answer she filed?? So the consumer here is just a sitting duck with no rights?? Please advise if you have gone through a similar situation. How can i get rid of this suit?
Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Debt Guy

Senior Member
Failure to respond to a request for validation is not grounds for dismissal. I never understand why people have this notion. If you read the FDCPA, it is perfectly clear that (1) the creditor can take as much time as they want to respond (like forever) and (2) the response is nothing more than the name and address of the original creditor -- you already know the name of the original creditor -- citibank, right?

If the attorney for Citibank proceeds with the case and does not respond to the validation request, you might have a crossclaim against the attorney for continuing collection activity. Did the summons contain a notice of your right to dispute the debt? Did mom dispute within 30 days of receipt of the notice?

Now. You may have all sorts of defenses. But this validation dog will not hunt. Clearly, neither you nor Mom know you way around a courtroom. There is no shame in not knowing. The problem is in filing motions when you don't know what you are doing. People lose their case when they do things like that. Even worse, they waste valuable time. It is better to ask questions first instead of trying to fix a problem later.

Questions:

1. SOL in CA is 4 years. Is the debt within SOL?

2. Is there identity theft involved? Does your mom legitimately owe the debt?
 

Hrach

Junior Member
Thank you Debt Guy... The debt is within the SOL. its less than 2 years old. She did respond with this request: Now that she cannot make payments, Plus the summons doesn't break down the details of the amount they're requesting, that's why she requests to see the details naturally... Now doens't the SOL give 30 days for them to provide the requested info? They can't just take their sweet old time and take action whenever they please. Now there is a court date set when the summons was files that's towards end of the year.

DEBT COLLECTOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
This statement and the answers contained herein may be used by Respondent, if necessary, in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notice: This Debt Collector Disclosure Statement is not a substitute for, nor the equivalent of, the hereinabove-requested verification of the record, i.e. “Confirmation of correctness, truth, or authenticity, by affidavit, oath, or deposition” (Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, 1990), re the alleged debt, and must be completed in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC §1692g, applicable portions of Truth in Lending (Regulation Z), 12 CFR 226, and demands as cited above Disputed Debt. Debt Collector must make all required disclosures clearly and conspicuously in writing re the following:

1. Name of Debt Collector: ……………………………………………………………….……………………………………………...
2. Address of Debt Collector: ……………………………………………….……………………………..…………………………….
3. Name of alleged Debtor: …………………………………………………………..………………………………………………….
4. Address of alleged Debtor: ……………….……………………………………...………………………………………………….. .
5. Alleged Account Number: ………..…………...……………………………………………………………………………………. ..
6. Alleged debt owed: $………………………………….……………………………………………………..……………………… ...
7. Date alleged debt became payable: ……...…………………………….………..……………..…..……………………………….
8. Re this alleged account, what is the name and address of the alleged Original Creditor, if different from Debt Collector?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………
9. Re this alleged account, if Debt Collector is different from alleged Original Creditor, does Debt Collector have a bona fide affidavit of assignment to enter into alleged original contract between alleged Original Creditor and alleged Debtor?
YES NO
10. Did Debt Collector purchase this alleged account from the alleged Original Creditor? YES NO N/A (Not Applicable)
11. If applicable, date of purchase of this alleged account from alleged Original Creditor, and purchase amount:
Date: …………………………………………………… Amount: $……………………………………………..……………………
12. Did Debt Collector purchase this alleged account from a previous debt collector? YES NO N/A
13. If applicable, date of purchase of this alleged account from previous debt collector, and purchase amount:
Date: …………………………………………………… Amount: $……………………………………………..……………………
14. Regarding this alleged account, Debt Collector is currently the:
Owner; (b) Assignee; (c) Other – explain: …………………………………………………….… .
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………
15. What are the terms of the transfer of rights re this alleged account? ……….………….……….……………………………….

16. If applicable, transfer of rights re this alleged account was executed by the following method:
(a) Assignment; (b) Negotiation; (c) Novation; (d) Other – explain:…………………….…………………...……………
**************.....………………………………………………………………………………………...…… …………………………………
17. If the transfer of rights re this alleged account was by assignment, was there consideration? YES NO N/A
18. What is the nature and cause of the consideration cited in # 17 above? ………………………….……….………..…………
………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………… …………………………
19. If the transfer of rights re this alleged account was by negotiation, was the alleged account taken for value?
YES NO N/A
20. What is the nature and cause of any value cited in #19 above? ……………………….………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………
21. If the transfer of rights re this alleged account was by novation, was consent given by alleged Debtor? YES NO N/A
22. What is the nature and cause of any consent cited in #21 above? ………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………
23. Has Debt Collector provided alleged Debtor with the requisite verification of the alleged debt as required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? YES NO
24. Date said verification cited above in # 23 was provided alleged Debtor: …………………………….………………………....
25. Was said verification cited above in # 23 in the form of a sworn or affirmed oath, affidavit, or deposition? YES NO
26. Verification cited above in # 23 was provided alleged Debtor in the form of: OATH AFFIDAVIT DEPOSTION
27. Does Debt Collector have knowledge of any claim(s)/defense(s) re this alleged account? YES NO
28. What is the nature and cause of any claim(s)/defense(s) re this alleged account? ……...…………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………
29. Was alleged Debtor sold any products/services by Debt Collector? YES NO
30. What is the nature and cause of any products/services cited above in # 29? …….……………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………...…… …………………
31. Does there exist a verifiable, bona fide, original commercial instrument between Debt Collector and alleged Debtor containing alleged Debtor’s bona fide signature? YES NO
32. What is the nature and cause of any verifiable commercial instrument cited above in # 31? .……………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………...…… …………………
33. Does there exist verifiable evidence of an exchange of a benefit or detriment between Debt Collector and alleged Debtor? YES NO
34. What is the nature and cause of this evidence of an exchange of a benefit or detriment as cited above in # 33? …………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………...…… ………………
35. Does any evidence exist of verifiable external act(s) giving the objective semblance of agreement between Debt Collector and alleged Debtor? YES NO
36. What is the nature and cause of any external act(s) giving the objective semblance of agreement from #35 above? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……
37. Have any charge-offs been made by any creditor or debt collector regarding this alleged account? YES NO
38. Have any insurance claims been made by any creditor or debt collector regarding this alleged account? YES NO
39. Have any tax write-offs been made by any creditor or debt collector regarding this alleged account? YES NO
40. Have any tax deductions been made by any creditor or debt collector regarding this alleged account? YES NO
41. Have any judgments been obtained by any creditor or debt collector regarding this alleged account? YES NO
42. At the time the alleged original contract was executed, were all parties apprised of the meaning of the terms and conditions of said alleged original contract? YES NO
43. At the time the alleged original contract was executed, were all parties advised of the importance of consulting a licensed legal professional before executing the alleged contract? YES NO
44. At the time the alleged original contract was executed, were all parties apprised that said alleged contract was a private credit instrument? YES NO

Debt Collector’s failure, both intentional and otherwise, to complete/answer points “1” through “44” above and return this Debt Collector Disclosure Statement, as well as provide Respondent with the requisite verification validating the hereinabove - referenced alleged debt, constitutes Debt Collector’s tacit agreement that Debt Collector has no verifiable, lawful, bona fide claim re the hereinabove-referenced alleged account, and that Debt Collector tacitly agrees that Debt Collector waives all claims against Respondent and indemnifies and holds Respondent harmless against any and all costs and fees heretofore and hereafter incurred and related re any and all collection attempts involving the hereinabove-referenced alleged account.
Declaration: The Undersigned hereby declares under penalty of perjury of the laws of this State that the statements made in this Debt Collector Disclosure Statement are true and correct in accordance with the Undersigned’s best firsthand knowledge and belief.

____________________________________ ____________________________________
Date Printed name of Signatory

____________________________________ ____________________________________
Official Title of Signatory Authorized Signature for Debt Collector

Debt Collector must timely complete and return this Debt Collector Disclosure Statement, along with all required documents referenced in said Debt Collector Disclosure Statement. Debt Collector’s claim will not be considered if any portion of this Debt Collector Disclosure Statement is not completed and timely returned with all required documents, which specifically includes the requisite verification, made in accordance with law and codified in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at 15 USC §1692 et seq., and which states in relevant part: “A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt,” which includes “the false representation of the character, or legal status of any debt,” and “the threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken,” all of which are violations of law. If Debt Collector does not respond as required by law, Debt Collector’s claim will not be considered and Debt Collector may be liable for damages for any continued collection efforts, as well as any other injury sustained by Respondent. Please allow thirty (30) days for processing after Respondent’s receipt of Debt Collector’s response.
 

Debt Guy

Senior Member
Plus the summons doesn't break down the details of the amount they're requesting, that's why she requests to see the details naturally...

They are not required to break it down in the summons. To get the info, you must conduct discovery.

Now doens't the SOL give 30 days for them to provide the requested info?

No.

They can't just take their sweet old time and take action whenever they please.

I think you are being facetious. The creditor has an unlimited amount of time to respond to the DV request. But, you keep ignoring what I am telling you. All they are required to give you back is the name and address of the original creditor. How is that going to help you?

Now there is a court date set when the summons was files that's towards end of the year.

OK. What is the question?


As for the rest of your post -- I don't know where you got all that. My guess is that you have copied it off some website purporting to tell you what the creditor must provide.

Am I correct? If so, what you have copied is wrong and bad advice. I've seen this nonsense before.

You have the right to demand all that information. But, you cannot obtain it through the validation process. You must conduct discovery.

Do you know what that means?
 

tranquility

Senior Member
Even in discovery, many of the "DEBT COLLECTOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT"'s questions do not appear reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. A pro per who wants to play lawyer better consider this well in case a motion to compel is contemplated.
 

TN_Defender

Junior Member
Thank you so much! Your info has made more sense to me than anything else I've read to date. Have talked with 2 attorneys and neither one thinks we should fight this case. The advice was to talk to the JDB and settle. I think these attorneys either do not want to handle it or, have no idea what they are talking about.

You are sure the Sworn Denial should be only oral and not written? What about a DV ltr. to the JDB attorney before the hearing? Any thoughts on that ?
Yes, the sworn denial will be sufficient. In TN, a sworn denial nullifies the affidavit that was necessary to file the case against you. Once you swear a denial, then the burden of proof falls upon the Plaintiff. It will be up to the Plaintiff to PROVE that you owe the debt... and that means they need to produce something with your actual signature on it as well as the exact terms and conditions of the contract you may or may not have signed, and also a witness to testify as to the validity of any other documents they offer. Be sure you tell the judge that you are requesting discovery and would like the plaintiff to produce documents as well as a witness. It's your right.

If the attorney tries to put you on the stand to testify right then and there, tell the judge again that you're filing a sworn denial and that you'd like to reset for trial.

At the reset hearing if they don't produce these things, challenge it in court - tell the judge that you and the court 1) have no real way of knowing if YOU actually do owe this debt, 2) that you have no real way of knowing how the creditor arrived at the amount due (without a full, detailed accounting of each and every charge - what was purchased and when, all payments made, all interest, fees, penalties, etc. charge).

If they are willing to go to the extreme of suing you in court, then it is your right to demand that they follow the full letter of the law. It is your right to see proof - ADMISSIBLE EVIDENTIAL proof. A bunch of monthly credit card statements are heresay. You need to see the original signed contract, a full and complete accounting of the account, and a witness to testify as to the validity and accuracy of the books.

9 times out of 10, the law firms that are suing you can't get their hands on these papers.
 

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