Debt collections

[MANNCLAN]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? ARIZONA
I had surgery in January of this year for a lymph biopsy.
I started receiving bills for the lab work in February or March, I hadn't paid anything until I got a demand for payment around May I think, so I started sending them what I could afford. Every month the statement would arrive demanding full payment or we'll send your account to collections. I continued making payments until about 3 months ago when I stopped receiving statements. I got a statement today demanding full payment by 11/11/09 or they will send the charges to collections. Is this legal since I have been making an attempt to pay. I have no dispute of the charges, I owe the money, but I don't have the resources to pay in full. Can they send the account to collections even though I've been paying on it.

 

[Antigone*]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? ARIZONA
I had surgery in January of this year for a lymph biopsy.
I started receiving bills for the lab work in February or March, I hadn't paid anything until I got a demand for payment around May I think, so I started sending them what I could afford. Every month the statement would arrive demanding full payment or we'll send your account to collections. I continued making payments until about 3 months ago when I stopped receiving statements. I got a statement today demanding full payment by 11/11/09 or they will send the charges to collections. Is this legal since I have been making an attempt to pay. I have no dispute of the charges, I owe the money, but I don't have the resources to pay in full. Can they send the account to collections even though I've been paying on it.

Yes it is legal for them to send you to collections. There has been no agreement for payments approved by the creditor.

 

[Artemis_ofthe_Hunt]

Yes it is legal for them to send you to collections. There has been no agreement for payments approved by the creditor.

Second this bit of information. In order for collection efforts to cease (other than paying in full before the demand date), you would need to enter into a payment arrangement (I'd get it in writing to protect yourself) and keep to the arrangement to the letter. If you are even one day late, you've violated the arrangement and collections may continue, whatever they decide.