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What Happens if I do Not Respond to Summons

I got this from a collection lawyer’s website and it is quite scary how fast these guys come after you once they have received judgment against you.

It’s sad that most of the people who are sued by a collection agency just don’t fight back. Why? The odds are they don’t have anything on you and if they do have something on you, there’s always something wrong with it.

THIS IS THE TIMING OF EVENTS ON A TYPICAL COLLECTION CASE WHERE NO RESPONSE OR DEFENSE TO THE LAWSUIT IS MADE:

Event

Time Span

   

Suit filed

Within 2 days of receipt of costs

Summons served

Normally within 14-28 days of filing suit

Filing for default

20 days after service of summons

Entry of default

14-28 days from filing *(unless court requires hearing which could add 30 additional days)

Issuance of execution:
bank garnishment
wage garnishment
sheriff’s levy

Anytime after entry of judgment

Return on execution:
bank garnishment
wage garnishment
sheriff’s levy

Normally within 20 days from service of garn
normally within 20 days from service of garn
90 days from issue date***

Proceedings supplemental

Anytime after 10 days of judgment entry; varies by county but generally can be requested every 90-180 days to examine debtor

* SOME COURTS REQUIRE HEARINGS FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULTS.

** SHERIFF’S LEVIES ARE GENERALLY INEFFECTIVE WITHOUT A LIST OF UNENCUMBERED PROPERTY.