I'm getting sued for a debt I couldn't pay and wonder what to do next.

Thanks Perna. I am thinking of asking the local legal aid office to recommend a safe source of debt counseling.

I'be been sick and am just recently recovered from a serious intestinal infection that had me in the ER twice in one week. So I neglected this whole issue, and the deadline for me answering the summons is passed. It was like 20 or 30 days that I had to respond.

Had I done that, as I should have, I would have been notified of the progress of the case. So I got to thinking that it was too late to do anything. Now, I'm not so sure. I hope to go down to the clerk of the court (which I should have already done) and ask what happens next. I know that my failure to respond can let the bank win by default. Then, again, since it is a legitimate debt, I figured that they would win a judgement against me, regardless of what I did.

I know that was me getting into a "defeatist" mentality. But I imagine that I might have some access to at least know what is proceeding, so that I don't only find out when something disappears from my checking account.

I am grateful for the posts here. I need to find the motivation to do the things recommended - like go to legal aid, go to the clerk of the district court, and go to my bank and ask them what exactly happens when they are notified about a lien against a customer's account. I just was sick and tired and depressed and have not been serving my own interests very well.

Can you get a not from your doctor explaining that you "were really ill" and that is why you didn't respond?

Try that Rose, as you also went to the ER twice.

In reality....a debt is a debt that we owe....no contesting that....the thing is that...disability income is judgment proof.....if you own a house, they can put a lein on that.....if you are working (which you aren't) they can put a judgment against wages.....but basically, all they end up doing is getting the judgment saying they are entitled to the money (like no duh)....& they can't do a thing about it so all they can do is set on it.....make yourself unavailable to their harassing calls......& basically there is nothing they can do to collect the money or force you to pay money you don't have.

Some medical bills I have had here when I fractured my back....I paid them $5/month....it took forever but if they wanted the money that bad, they had to deal with it....some wrote off the amount...others didn't when it came to medical bills.....one stupidly sent the bill to collection when I had been paying on it & I got all over their case....never got another bill from them after they straightened that out.

It's a horrible feeling being in this position.....but I'm beginning to realize that so many of us are in that position with the economy the way it is....& the lending companies are just going to eat it......feel it's sort of their responsibility for selling the concept of credit to everyone....this is the price they pay....but they never thought it would come to this.

Hi eskielover. I think that is the way I am going to look at it. I appreciate your input. It sounds like you've been through this and can really understand.