I’ve Been Sued in New Jersey, Now What Should I Do?
If you have past-due bills that you cannot pay, your creditors may initiate a lawsuit against you to collect payment. Being sued may seem like the end of the world, especially when you do not understand the legal process and how it can affect you.
In New Jersey, a lawsuit is a legal process that creditors go through to legally document that you owe them money. The most important thing you can do for yourself is respond to the summons that you receive in the mail.
Many people turn to an attorney for help once they have received a summons in the mail. Contact the law firm of John Hargrave and Associates, in Barrington, New Jersey, either through e-mail or by calling 856-547-6500 for a free initial consultation.
When you consult with our firm, you will receive our FREE guidebook to lawsuits in New Jersey.
Respond to Summons Within 35 Days
In New Jersey, you must respond to this summons within 35 days stating whether or not you agree with the sum owed. If you do not respond within 35 days, then the judge will declare the person who sued you the winner of the lawsuit and enter a judgment against you. Once the judgment has been issued, the creditor is then given a legal document that will allow him or her to collect that money from you in a number of ways:
- A wage garnishment means that the creditor will take money directly out of your wages.
- A bank levy means they can take money out of your bank account.
- Repossession means taking something from you, such as a car, in lieu of an auto loan that has gone into default for lack of payment.
- An Information Subpoena which requires you to provide your personal financial details to the creditor, such as where you work and where your bank accounts are. If you do not answer the Information Subpoena you can be held in contempt of court and a warrant for your arrest will be issued.
You Owe the Debt But Cannot Pay — Now What?
Don’t let yourself get backed into a corner. Even after having a judgment against you, it is possible to stop any type of debt collection attempt by filing for bankruptcy protection.
If you are like most people in this situation, you do not have the money to pay the creditor, or you would have paid the debt. You probably legitimately do owe the debt, so you don’t really have a defense either. So how do you protect yourself and your belongings? Beyond that, how do you get out from under this crushing debt burden?
Bankruptcy Protection Freezes Creditors’ Actions Against You
Filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection is a legal right in this country. Even President Thomas Jefferson filed for bankruptcy. The majority of people who file for bankruptcy are good people in very difficult financial situations.
Filing for bankruptcy is one way to stop the judgments against you, stop foreclosure and stay in your home if you can continue to pay the mortgage, stop creditor harassment and get a fresh financial start.
There is indeed life after bankruptcy.
How will it feel to file for bankruptcy? For most people, it is like the weight of the world has been lifted from their shoulders.
The law office of John Hargrave and Associates, in Barrington, New Jersey, has been helping clients find solutions to difficult financial problems since 1977.
Mr. Hargrave, our firm’s founder, is a bankruptcy trustee. This means that he has effectively supervised for the bankruptcy court more than 15,000 bankruptcies. If you are looking for an ethical, kind, trustworthy and knowledgeable attorney, then give Mr. Hargrave a call.
Consult with an Experienced Debt-Relief Attorney in New Jersey
E-mail or call (856) 547-6500 or (866) 662-3191 to reach attorney John Hargrave, an AV-rated bankruptcy lawyer who has been working with clients to help them get their financial lives back on track since 1977.
We are a debt-relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.