I've been served papers for indebtedness on a medical bill & they are trying to garnish my wages.?
364685
If, as you say, you were served "papers" you had that information. Why did you go to court records to learn about a judgment if you claim to have no knowledge of the case. The court hearings are a matter of public records so start there.\nA lot of time and effort had to be spent long before they could have gotten a judgment in the first place so I don't buy your story of not getting any notice. If, it is a wrong or false claim and you didn't get any notices over time then contact your local legal aid group and get help there.
726976
Communicate with the medical office and ask for a reduction and a payment plan.\n\nGood Luck.
738578
The problem is that this would of been passed through debt collections of the phone company then to the debt recovery agency then to solicitors so this would of been going on for a while. Did you not set up a payment plan with the recovery agency? \nOnce its reached a stage with solicitors im not too sure what happens, i would recommend going to Citizens Advice Bureau there always one locally or go on their website and they can help you. I know in certain instances they can ring the company in question and sort something out for you. Don't leave this issue, face it and you will have control then.. \nHeres the CAB website:\nhttp://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index.htm
979878
document document document!! everything and go to your cities labour board. ( in Canada) They will start a claim on your behalf and investigate and should you need a lawyer they can provide one for you as well (not sure if its free or a nominal fee) but talk to them first they really are there to help employees. also get all your pay stubs in order and your record of employment they will need to see them and any witnesses you might have. If they decide in your favour they will come after your employer for unpaid wages, holiday pay severance pay etc. they can garnish the accounts for you once you get the labour board involved im sure you employer will come to their senses and pay up. Send in writing to your employer a formal request for all sums owed to you keep a copy for yourself date it make sure you give that to your case worker as well. g/l
868771
Your best bet is to call your lender and work out a deal. When someone defaults everyone loses - the borrower, the lender and the taxpayers. It's in everyone's interest for your to start paying before they start garnishing your wages.\n\nYour lender has dealt with this kind of situation before and will have a process in place to help you.
557633
You need to take the time to read the Fair Credit Reporting Acts and the Fair Debt Collections Act.  The reason you are having a hard time with these boneheads is because you don't know the law, and they are running all over you!\n\nI've posted the relevent parts below that will help you out.\n\nFirst, when you contact the collection agent, you must do so IN WRITING to prove you sent them a letter.  Be sure to state you want to have your debt VALIDATED!  This is very important.  Once they receive this letter, they must reply within 30 days.  Their reply must have PROOF that you have a legal obligation to pay this debt.  That means contracts, bills, receipts, and everything used to calculate what they claim you owe.  Also be sure to include a cease and desist warning, with warning about posting anything to your credit report while this matter is in dispute.  Once that is done, they can't do anything until the debt is validated.\n\nIf the fail to supply this information, and post negative information on your credit report, they will be in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Whether the debt is legal or not, posting unvalidated reports is against the law and you can sue them in small claims court for $1000 very easily.\n\nIf they validate this debt, and it does appear you owe them, then pay the bill.  By law, the Collection Agency can not post anything to your report within 180 days of the date of delinquency.  (that's six months to you collection agents reading...).  \n\nI would also follow through with a negotiation demand that if you pay the bill, they will agree IN WRITING not to place negative information on your credit report, or remove anything that they did place.  Do not actually make a pledge to pay, or you may be restarting the clock on the Statute of Limitations.  Do not acknowledge that you owe the debt.\n\nContact me if you need any advice or encouragement.  I am not a lawyer or credit counsoler, just someone who likes to get under credit collectors skins.
235102
The laws and procedures vary by state, so I encourage you to consult a local attorney for further advice.  As an attorney with experience setting up wage garnishments, I can offer a few comments.\n\n1.  Creditors are almost always willing to listen even if they have a judgment.  Try negotiating a payment plan you can live with.\n\n2.  If you are appealing the judgment, most states will require you to put up collateral for an appeal bond.\n\n3.  You might be able to file a claim of exemption.  Some states have laws that allow judges to reduce the amount of garnishment due to economic hardship.  If you live paycheck to paycheck and need every dime to pay rent, the judge my reduced or stop the garnishment.  You should see a local attorney or maybe the court clerk to get the necessary forms.\n\n4.  Bankruptcy is an option to consider.  Filing bankruptcy will stop garnishment right away.  Consult a qualified bankruptcy attorney.
865716
Stocko's generally right regarding what happens if you don't pay.  Having an unpaid civil judgment will haunt you everywhere you go, from credit to job applications.  You may be forced into involuntary bankruptcy.  DO NOT let a default happen.  Get an attorney, or at least proceed "pro se" (without an attorney) and answer any lawsuit.  Because the insurance company knows you're not represented and didn't have insurance, they're going to go at you hard.  Merely getting a lawyer (if you can afford $1-2,000) should help this settle quickly.\nHow do you know he's an immigrant? And how do you know he's illegal? If he didn't speak a lick of English, how did you know what he was saying re: insurance?  You know that committing felonies is often grounds for deportation, which may be why the person was concerned.  And he likely had insurance all the time--because insurance companies wouldn't indemnify and defend him if he just got coverage.
306323
If you're sick right now, go to the nearest public hospital emergency room.  Under federal law, they cannot refuse to treat you merely because you cannot pay.  Yes, you may wait a long time in line, and yes, you may recieve some uncomfortable questions regarding your ability to pay, but until we can fix the damn system, that's the way it is.  Get your problem dealt with first so it does not get any worse, and then worry about the "who's gonna pay" question.\nYour question really has two parts: you also need to know how to get preventive care.  That's where social services come in.  You can ask for a referral to the appropriate people while you're in the emergency room, in fact.  No, they won't make you go see social services before they treat your ilness or your dental problem.  Social services will help you find that doctor and dentist.  It probably won't be fully satisfactory, but dammit, any care is better than none!  And you might just join with those of us - medical personell and laypeople alike - in badgering the hell out of Congress to fix our miserable health care system!!!  Write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails - we gotta get on Congress's case and keep on it!  Yo, this old mick's been in health care for over forty years, but I/we can't fix it by ourselves.
1180398
I agree with spade_2nite, something doesn't sound right if they are contacting you for payment - if they had recieved a judgment.\n\n\nContact your county court clerk and ask if there is a judgment or a suit filed in your name. (You can also go to the clerks office and request to see your file.)\n\nIf there is no judgment or pending suit filed, that company is violating your rights. If that is the case - speak with an attorney immediately!!!\n \nIf there is a judgment filed and you had been properly served, check your state statutes for the exemptions in your state.\nFor example -  exemptions "may" mean that they cannot garnish your wages, take your car, take funds from your bank account etc. It all depends on "your" states exemption laws. \n\nAfter you check with your county court clerk and find that there is or is not a judgment against you, it may be best to speak with an attorney. There are many attorneys that will give a free first consult   \n\nAlso, I would suggest purchasing a tape recorder and the next time they call, tell them that you are recording the call. Some states allow you to tape without informing the other party that you are taping, you would have to check your state laws on that. But, if you cannot find your states laws on taping, then be sure to inform them you are taping when they call.  \n\nTell them that recieving phone calls at your home and place of employment is inconvenient for you and that you are requesting they contact you by the U.S. postal service only - be sure to have that on tape. By law, if you tell them to cease calling - they are "required" to stop calling.\n\nIf there is a judgment against you, filing for bankruptcy may not be the wisest thing to do - depending on the dollar amount of the judgment and your other debts. \n\n\nI have included a link so you can check your states rules of service
895514
The courts just said you win . Its your job to collect the money. Some states let you garnish wages . If he owns anything of value you maybe able to put a lien on it . I know its not much help. Call a local lawyer and ask them over the phone , they will talk briefly with you for free.
111158
I provided a link for the free credit report from the government. As for your medical bills. Call the doctors and explain to them your situtation. Some doctors are known to reduce their bill and sometime even write them off. If your bills are with a hospital, call them and try to work off a payment plan. The best way to do this is to sit down and write a budget for the month. Make sure you list your home, food, and utilities first. Next, car and gas payments. Then other bills, like daycare. Make sure you have all the money going towards something. Just be honest with them and tell them you want to do the right thing and pay them. They should be able to work something out with you.
363523
I'm not sure where you are, but here in Georgia it is up to you and the creditor to work it out. \n\nI work in collections and usually when I win the case the judge will allow us to work out the payment plan there and he will write it up and all parties including the judge will sign it. If the customer defaults on these arrangements, then I can get a garnishment or levy with not problem.
715898
Just because they have a judgement against you doesn't mean they will automatically garnish your wages.  It is their option to take the judgement to another level and file a court action to enforce that judgement.  If they have some collateral on the loan they could try to repossess it first.  Or they could file to satify the judgement with a garnishment of wage.  If you can talk to them and work out payment arrangements they may work with you to resolve the judgement without going that far.
935233
You have to follow the following step. Immediately contact your local bar association and ask them what grievance procedures they have in place.  If they have a legitimate process in place, than definitely file a complains and see where it goes.  If they have a lax process or no process at all instituted, then you will have to go to small claims court. \n\nYou must prove that you did not agree to the charges.  Please double check and see if you signed any documents that refer to these type of charges or fees.  If you have not in any way agreed or been made aware of these fees, than the judge will award the lawyer "fair compensation" for the service he provided to you.
618644
You are pretty much out of luck since it is a garnishment; that is a last-resort method to get you to pay a debt of some sort.  The garnishment will not removed until the debt is repaid.  You might call a credit counseling service or a bankruptcy attorney (consultation is usually free) and ask if it is possible to have the amount garnished from your paycheck each pay period reduced, although that means you will be paying off the debt for a longer period of time.  You might also get a second job - if you do yardwork, babysitting, etc. you would be paid in cash....not that anyone would EVER suggest you not report that income, of course...
732562
you are right on track.this one is a slam dunk.though you are doing every thing right you need to contact your attorney generals office because she is adopting unfair and illegal business practices.this PERSON IS HAVING SERIOUS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE IT OUT ON YOU,You sound like you have enough fight in you.go get her.If I were you I would start by sending her a certified letter indicating intent to file charges against her for double dipping,and to file a $5000 dollar small claim against her for attempt to defraud.if she goes ahead with her claim to send your "bill"to a collections agency she is only giving you additional ammunition for your claims.If this thing appears on your credit you can get it removed by showing that this is an attempt to at distortion.It will also give you the additional info.you need for a successful claim.