Missed payment of $170 turned into $4600 and a lawsuit.

[Alex75k]

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

I am being sued by a collection law firm for a single missed payment of $170 in condo association fees in 2006. Not a single other payment is missed BUT the law firm is asking for $4600 in late and legal fees.

The caveat is that we moved to other state and I (unintentionally) did not update condo association with my new address. Since 2007, having no contact information, this law firm was doing all the ‘motions’ to find me and finally they did (thru the mortgage company). Now they claim I owe 4600 out of which as I understand at least 3000 are in legal fees.

Is that something that really happens? What are my chances?

 

[Zigner]

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

I am being sued by a collection law firm for a single missed payment of $170 in condo association fees in 2006. Not a single other payment is missed BUT the law firm is asking for $4600 in late and legal fees.

The caveat is that we moved to other state and I (unintentionally) did not update condo association with my new address. Since 2007, having no contact information, this law firm was doing all the ‘motions’ to find me and finally they did (thru the mortgage company). Now they claim I owe 4600 out of which as I understand at least 3000 are in legal fees.

Is that something that really happens? What are my chances?

Yes, and slim to none.

 

[JETX]

Is that something that really happens?

Yes. However, you do have the right to request an accounting of the charges.

What are my chances?

At what??

 

[Alex75k]

Yes. However, you do have the right to request an accounting of the charges.

At what??

I have received the list of charges it is amusingly confusing. Peppered with things like “inv#40117”, “GSL INV#13215”, "reverse legal fees" without any explanation of what they actually did. Can they be that cryptic?

From whatever I can understand the late fees amount to 900 and legal fees amount to $3700!!! Is this disproportionate amount something that could be argued?

Also, the condo association was successfully taking direct withdrawals from my checking account all that time (except for that single bounced payment). They had ability to re-run the charge at any time but instead they were running up the legal fees. I’m so confused…