It's important to respond to (or answer) the lawsuit. You do this by filing official paperwork with the court. Be sure to address every point in the complaint, raise any defenses you have, and file the paperwork within the time frame provided.
Filing an answer is critical because it prevents the court from issuing a default judgment against you. Even if you believe you owe the debt, filing an answer at least gives you the opportunity to negotiate with the creditor or explore other legal options instead of receiving a default judgment against you.
If a debt collector sues you in the state of Texas, you need to take action. First, fill out and file your answer form — this is your response to the lawsuit. Then, provide a copy of the filed (stamped) forms to the plaintiff (the debt collector) and keep a copy for your own records.
Unfortunately, my circumstances are unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future and I have no assets to sell to help clear my debt. I am therefore asking you to consider writing off my debt as I can see no way of ever repaying it. If you are unable to agree to this, please explain your reasons.
This is done by putting your request in writing and sending it to the court and to the plaintiff. Once you have been served with the citation, you have 14 days to file an answer, which is your response to your lawsuit. You must give your answer to the court and also send it to the plaintiff.
These are the steps to follow: Work out what you can offer the people you owe. Send your offer to them in writing. Ask them to confirm they accept your offer in writing. Keep any letters your creditors send you about the settlement offer. Negotiate with your creditors if you need to.
I respectfully request that you forgive my alleged debt, as my condition precludes any employment, and my current and future income does not support any debt repayment. Please respond to my request in writing to the address below at your earliest convenience. Thank-you in advance for your understanding of my situation.
Example of a Claim Settlement Letter We are writing to inform you that we have completed our evaluation of your claim filed under policy number Policy Number regarding Brief Description of the Claim. We are pleased to offer a settlement amount of Settlement Amount.
Treat the following as a set of general guidelines: Gather complete information before you start writing. Describe your injuries and medical treatment. List your medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Make a settlement demand. Include a deadline for legal action if you want to, but don't bluff.
Treat the following as a set of general guidelines: Gather complete information before you start writing. Describe your injuries and medical treatment. List your medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Make a settlement demand. Include a deadline for legal action if you want to, but don't bluff.