What happens if I am sued for a debt?

If you are sued for a debt in Virginia, you must respond to the lawsuit in order to protect your rights. Failure to respond can lead to a default judgment being entered against you. When you are served with a lawsuit, you have 21 days to respond. You can do this directly in the court or you can hire an attorney who can help defend you. Your response to the lawsuit should include information about why you believe the debt isn’t yours or any agreements you made with the creditor that might affect the amount of money you owe. If you believe the debt is correct, you can also negotiate a payment agreement with the creditor or their representative. This will help you avoid a judgment against you and could reduce the total amount you must pay. If the court rules that you owe the debt, a judgment will be entered on your credit report that could remain there for up to seven years. The judgment will also allow the creditor to take other collection activities, such as wage garnishment or bank levies, to collect the debt. You may be able to challenge the debt if you believe it was the result of identity theft or you believe the statute of limitations has passed. If so, you will need to provide proof to the court and explain why you believe the debt is invalid or why you can’t be held liable. You should always take action to protect your rights if you are sued for a debt, regardless of whether the debt is valid or not.

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What happens if I am sued for a debt?

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