Are there any defenses to a debt collection lawsuit?
Yes, there are several defenses you can use to protect yourself from a debt collection lawsuit in Washington. One of the main defenses is proving that the debt is not yours. To do this, you must be able to show evidence that you do not owe the debt, such as an identity theft report or a contract proving that you have already paid the debt. Another defense is to show that the statute of limitations has expired for the debt. In Washington, the statute of limitations on credit card debt is 3 years, so if the debt is older than 3 years, you may be able to defend yourself successfully. You can also defend yourself by challenging the debt collector’s evidence or by showing that you tried to work with the creditor, such as making partial payments. If the creditor has not followed proper collection protocol, you can use this to your advantage. Finally, if the debt collection lawsuit is frivolous or the amount of the debt is so small that it would not be worth the court’s time, you can ask the court to dismiss the case. These are just a few of the defenses you can use to protect yourself from a debt collection lawsuit in Washington. It is important to seek legal counsel to determine which defense is appropriate for your situation.
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