How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in New Jersey (2024 Guide)

Fact-checked by George Simons, JD/MBA

What's so stressful about being sued by a debt collector? Grab some snacks, this may take awhile.

But seriously, even though being sued by a debt collector or debt collection law firm (especially those who specialize in buying and selling your debt) seems like the beginning of a long and scary road, it's actually full of shortcuts. And we brought the maps.

In this article, we will try to ease the pain of debt collection lawsuits and make the process of responding a little bit easier. We will give you the right roadmap to answer a summons for debt collection in New Jersey.

Before we begin, rest assured: you can fight, and you can win, your debt collection lawsuit. Now, let’s jump into everything you should know about how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in New Jersey, including deadlines, fees, forms, and more.

Table of Contents

• Deadlines
• Forms
• Fees
• Steps to Respond
• New Jersey Statute of Limitations on Debt
• Debt Collection Laws in NJ
• Legal Aid in NJ
• New Jersey Courts
• NJ Debt Relief
• Check your Court Case Status
• Debt Settlement in New Jersey
• How to File in Monmouth County Courthouse

Respond to your lawsuit before the New Jersey deadline

You have 35 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in New Jersey, according to N.J. Ct. R. 4:6(a), which states:

“(a) Time; Presentation. Except as otherwise provided by Rules 4:7-5(c) (crossclaims), 4:8-1(b) (third-party joinder), 4:9-1 (answer to amended complaint), and 4:64-1(i) (governmental answer in foreclosure actions), the defendant shall serve an answer, including therein any counterclaim, within 35 days after service of the summons and complaint on that defendant.”

Knowing which court has jurisdiction over your case will make responding much easier. Here are the following judicial divisions that oversee debt collection cases:

• Law Division (Claims above $15,000)
• Law Division, Special Civil Part (Claims between $3,000-$15,000)
• Small Claims Court (Claims between $1-$3,000)

No matter which division your case is “venued” in, when you get sued for a debt in New Jersey, you only have 35 days to respond or you automatically lose your case through a process called “default” judgment. Debt collectors are hoping you will forget to respond or not know how to respond; don't give them the satisfaction!

As we said, the standard amount of time is the same, whether your case is for $1 or more than $15,000, and whether you case is given an “L” for Law Division, “DC” for Special Civil Part, or “SC” for Small Claims. Occasionally, and worth keeping in mind, is that if your case is in the Law Division with an “L” assigned to it, you may be able to request an extension of time from the Courts.

First, you have to ask your adversary, and if you ask nicely, the debt collector will probably grant the extension. Every little bit of time can provide you additional peace of mind as you prepare your response.

We'll show you some ways to respond below. With SoloSuit, you can generate your response in 15 minutes and we'll have an attorney review it and even file it for you.

New Jersey Answer to Summons Templates

To respond to your debt collection lawsuit, you need to make an Answer document that responds to the Summons and Complaint you received.

The SoloSuit Answer form is the easiest way to generate a customized response to your debt lawsuit. All you have to do is respond to a series of questions about your case, and our software will create a personalized Answer for you that includes your responses to each claim and affirmative defenses.

Alternatively, you can use the New Jersey Answer to Summons forms listed on their judicial branch website:

• Law Division Answer Form
• Special Civil Part Answer Form

Use the SoloSuit New Jersey Answer Form.

Answer Filing Fees for New Jersey

New Jersey courts charge a filing fee to file your Answer with them.

Sure, having to pay money to defend yourself on top of being sued is like being kicked when you're already down... But if you win your debt collection lawsuit, the minor cost of admission will be well worth it. Here are the filing fees you should expect in each division of the Courts:

Answer Filing Fees in New Jersey

Division	Fee
Law Division	$175
Special Civil Part	$30
Small Claims	$30
*Additional charges for a jury trial are only assessed in the Special Civil Part and Small Claims Division. There is no charge for requesting a jury in the Law Division. However, in all three divisions, you have the right to request a jury trial or waive a jury trial and choose a “bench trial” – where it's just you, the debt collector, and the judge.

Just like you can't pump your own gas in Jersey, you can't access the courts for free – what a racket! The pork roll sandwiches, however, are the best in the world.

Back to business - Let's consider an example to see how to use the New Jersey filing fee table above.

SoloSuit takes care of paying your filing fees for you.

Follow these steps to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in New Jersey

A lawsuit begins when you receive the court Summons and Complaint. The Summons notifies you of the case, while the Complaint lists the specific claims against you.

In most states, these documents need to be handed personally to someone at your home. However, these documents are frequently delivered incorrectly, a process called “sewer service”—something you can use as a defense (more on defenses to come).

Once you receive the Summons and Complaint, your clock starts ticking and you need to respond within 35 days or you will lose your case automatically.

To respond, you need to follow these three steps:

1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File the Answer in court, and send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney.

Let's check out each step in detail. You can also watch this video to learn more:

1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint

When drafting your Answer, you should primarily focus on responding to each claim against you.

The Complaint document includes several numbered paragraphs that lay out the lawsuit against you. For debt collection cases, there are usually between 10 and 30 numbered paragraphs, or claims. Sometimes these are broken into sections, such as “parties,” “jurisdiction” and “facts,” and sometimes they aren't. It's a matter of style really, and every attorney has their own preference.

But make sure to pay attention to the numbers, and to mirror them in each of your responses. You should reply to each claim with one of the following responses:

• Admit: Admit the paragraph if you agree with everything in the paragraph.
• Deny: Deny the paragraph if you disagree with anything in the paragraph.
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: This is a lawyerly way of saying “I don't know.” Choose this option if you don't understand the paragraph or if you don't have the information needed to respond to it.

Choose one of these responses and write it into your Answer after the corresponding paragraph number. Many attorneys recommend making a general denial, where you deny everything in the Complaint and force the other side to prove everything. This is a good strategy in many cases.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

An “affirmative defense” is a reason why the person suing you doesn't have a case; it is your defense against all or part of the lawsuit. You must list these defenses in your Answer, otherwise, you can't bring them up later. To put it in a lawyerly way, you are “barred from raising” the defenses if you don’t include them in your initial response. So you must speak now, or forever hold your peace.

SoloSuit helps you bring up the right defenses.

Here are some of the more common defenses we see:

• The account with the debt is not your account.
• The contract was already canceled and therefore you don't owe the creditor anything.
• The Plaintiff acted in bad faith or with “unclean hands” in suing you.
• The statute of limitations has expired. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on an action.
• The debt has been paid or excused.
• The debt has been settled for a different amount than the one in the Complaint.
• The debt has been partially or fully paid, also known as “satisfied.”
• You were a co-signer but were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.

These are a few of the many affirmative defenses out there. Unfortunately, being unable to pay the debt is not a legal defense to the debt.

3. File the Answer in court, and send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney

Once you responded to each claim listed in the Complaint, and asserted your affirmative defenses, you are ready for the final step: file your Answer.

The Answer document by itself is worthless unless you file it properly. Otherwise, it's like painting a picture and immediately putting it into storage for no one to ever see. SoloSuit takes care of filing for you so you don't have to worry about buying a printer and figuring out whether you need Certified Mail, Priority Mail, First Class Mail, a Flat Rate Box or some other type of service from the Post Office.

Here's what you need to do to file your answer.

• Print two copies of your Answer.
• Mail one copy to the court.
• Mail the other copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

SoloSuit files your Answer for you, in all 50 states.

The address for the attorney will be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. But where is the address for the Court? Good question; most court documents don't list the mailing address of the Court. And the mailing address of the Civil Division is often different from the physical address of the Courthouse listed online for any number of reasons, such as one Court having more than one building, or even a Court having two locations on opposite ends of the same county.

For a small state, New Jersey has almost as many courthouses as shopping malls. That's why we compiled a list of every court in New Jersey to find the correct mailing address for you to use. They are listed below.

Once you complete this final step: Congrats! You have successfully responded to your debt lawsuit. With SoloSuit, you can increase the chances of winning your case by 7x.

Now, let’s look at an example of how to respond to a debt lawsuit in New Jersey.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

Statute of limitations on debt in New Jersey

Under New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedure, §2A:14-1 states:

“Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in sections 2A:14-2 and 2A:14-3 of this Title, or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.”

In other words, the statute of limitations on debt is six years in New Jersey. This means that you can't legally be sued for a debt more than six years after you made the last payment.

However, that won’t stop creditors and debt collectors from filing a suit against you. It’s up to you to show that the statute of limitations has passed in your Answer. SoloSuit can help you use the statute of limitations as a defense in your case.

Similarly, §2A:14-5 states:

“A judgment in any court of record in this state may be revived by proper proceedings or an action at law may be commenced thereon within 20 years next after the date thereof, but not thereafter. An action may be commenced on a judgment obtained in any other state or country within 20 years next after the date thereof or within the period in which a like action might be brought thereon in that state or country, whichever period is shorter, but not thereafter.”

This means that, on judgment debt, the statute of limitations is 20 years. So, if you get sued for a debt, don't respond and lose by default judgment, then the new statute of limitations will be 20 years; that's a long time.

The table below further illustrates the statute of limitations on different types of debt in New Jersey. Check it out:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in New Jersey

Debt Type	Deadline
Credit Card	6 years
Medical	6 years
Student Loan	6 years
Auto Loan	6 years
Mortgage	6 years
Personal Loan	6 years
Oral contract	6 years
Judgment	20 years
Source: N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-1,5

SoloSuit makes it easy to assert the statute of limitations.

Let's consider another example.

Example: Willy owes a credit card debt in New Jersey, and the last time he made a payment towards the debt was eight years ago. A debt collector tries to sue him for the debt. In this case, the statute of limitations has expired and Willy needs to bring that up as an affirmative defense in his case.

New Jersey debt collection laws can protect you

As a consumer in living in New Jersey, you are protected by New Jersey debt collection laws and other federal laws that prohibit unfair collection practices. These laws ensure you are not mistreated even though you owe creditors money. For example, The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (NJCFA) protects consumers from false fraud, including improper action and deceptive practices. If a creditor is guilty of violating a consumer's right in the NJCFA, they may be required to pay up to three times the damages, including the attorney fees and litigation costs.

New Jersey borrows heavily from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) when handling consumer complaints and violations. These laws have covered most ground to ensure debt collectors use fair and ethical practices when collecting their money. The following are crucial laws to watch out for as you interact with them:

• Debt collectors must identify themselves when they communicate with you. They must provide accurate information about the company they work for and their employee details.
• After contacting you the first time, a debt collector should send you a written notice about your debt within five days. It should include the debt amount, the creditor’s name, and your right to dispute.
• When you pay a debt, the debt collector should give you a written confirmation of the debt payment. The document should include the amount paid, the date, and method of payment.
• When you send a valid Cease and Desist letter, a debt collector should stop all communication unless they want to inform you of a legal action they have taken.
• If you dispute the debt's validity, a creditor must provide written verification of the debt and documentation proving you owe it.
• Debt collectors should keep accurate records of your debt and be able to provide all the information needed when called upon. These records include payments received, communication they’ve had with you, and the disputes or complaints received.
• Debt collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Debt collectors cannot call you at work when your employer prohibits such communication.
• Debt collectors cannot tell your family or friends that you owe a debt.
• Debt collectors cannot continue to contact you when you have explicitly asked them not to.
• Debt collectors cannot take actions considered harassment or abuse under the FDCPA.
• Debt collectors cannot claim they will sell your debt in order to coerce you to pay.
• Debt collectors cannot cause your phone to ring repeatedly with the intent to annoy.
• Debt collectors cannot fail to disclose that they are a debt collector.
• Debt collectors cannot make false claims about who they are.
• Debt collectors cannot threaten to seize your house or other property.
• Debt collectors cannot threaten to take legal action that they cannot, or do not plan to, take.

Other prohibition practices that are well reflected in the FDCPA and debt collectors are strictly prohibited from practicing are harassing or threatening consumers, calling countless times a day, disclosing debt information to other people, collecting an expired debt, and pretending to be government officials.

Knowing your rights as a consumer is the best way to protect yourself from debt collectors and fight back. If a debt collector has violated any of these regulations when communicating with you about your debt, you can file a counterclaim and potentially be compensated up to $1,000 per violation.

Facing financial challenges can be overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate them alone. The Debt Lawyer specializes in offering comprehensive bankruptcy solutions for residents of New Jersey and New York with a team of seasoned team of legal professionals dedicated to providing personalized guidance every step of the way. Whether you're considering filing for bankruptcy or just seeking clarity about your financial situation, you have resources.

New Jersey legal aid organizations can help you

Every state has at least one government-funded organization that provides free legal services to people, including New Jersey, which has many, grouped by region.

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

County	Address	Phone	Email
Bergen	190 Moore Street, Suite 100 Hackensack, NJ 07601	201-487-2166	NNJLS@lsnj.org
Hudson	574 Summit Avenue, 2nd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07306	201-792-6363	NNJLS@lsnj.org
Passaic	152 Market Street, 6th Floor Paterson, NJ 07505	973-523-2900	NNJLS@lsnj.org
Essex	5 Commerce Street, 2nd Floor Newark, NJ 07102	973-624-4500	enls@lsnj.org

Northwest New Jersey Legal Services

County	Address	Phone	Email
Hunterdon	82 Park Avenue Flemington, NJ 08822	908-782-7979	lsnwj-hunterdon@lsnj.org
Morris	30 Schuyler Place, 2nd Floor Morristown, NJ 07963	973-285-6911	lsnwj-morris@lsnj.org
Somerset	18 Church Street, Suite 120 Newton, NJ 07860	973-383-7400	lsnwj-sussex@lsnj.org
Warren	91 Front Street Belvidere, NJ 07823-1437	908-475-2010	lsnwj-warren@lsnj.org

Central Jersey Legal Services

County	Address	Phone	Email
Trenton	198 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608	609-695-6249	cjls@lsnj.org
Perth Amboy	313 State Street, Suite 308 Perth Amboy, NJ 08861	732-324-1613	cjls@lsnj.org
New Brunswick	317 George Street, Suite 201 New Brunswick, NJ 08901	732-249-7600	cjls@lsnj.org
Elizabeth	60 Prince Street Elizabeth, NJ 07208	908-354-4340	cjls@lsnj.org

South Jersey Legal Services

County	Address	Phone	Email
Atlantic	1300 Atlantic Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401	609-348-4200	SJLS@lsnj.org
Burlington	107 High Street Mount Holly, NJ 08060	609-261-1088	SJLS@lsnj.org
Camden	745 Market Street Camden, NJ 08102	856-964-2010	SJLS@lsnj.org
Cape May	1261 Route 9 South Cape May Court House, NJ 08210	609-465-3001	SJLS@lsnj.org
Cumberland/Salem	415 W. Landis Avenue-2nd Floor Vineland, NJ 08360	856-691-0494	SJLS@lsnj.org
Gloucester	47 Newton Avenue Woodbury, NJ 08096	856-848-5360	SJLS@lsnj.org
Monmouth	303 West Main Street, Third Floor Freehold, NJ 07728	732-414-6750	SJLS@lsnj.org
Ocean	215 Main Street Toms River, NJ 08753	732-608-7794	SJLS@lsnj.org

New Jersey Court Mailing Addresses

To file your Answer, you need to get it to your Court. For many people, the easiest way to do this is to mail it. But it can be surprisingly difficult to find the mailing address for your Court online. So we've listed the mailing address for all New Jersey Courts here. Note: New Jersey has 21 counties, but 15 “Vicinages” – or districts, for its Courts. A few counties have to buddy up and share!

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

NJ Court	Address	Phone	Vicinage
Atlantic County Superior Court	Atlantic County Civil Courts Building 1201 Bacharach Boulevard Atlantic City, Nj 08401	609-402-0100	1
Cape May County Superior Court	Cape May County Courthouse 9 North Main Street Cape May Court House, NJ 08210	609-402-0100	1
Bergen County Superior Court	Bergen County Justice Center 10 Main Street Hackensack, NJ 07601	609-402-0100	2
Burlington County Superior Court	Burlington County Court Facility 49 Rancocas Road Mount Holly, NJ 08060	609-288-9500	3
Camden County Superior Court	Camden County Hall of Justice 101 South 5th Street Camden, NJ 08103	856-650-9100	4
Cumberland County Superior Court	Cumberland County Courthouse Broad and Fayette Streets Bridgeton, NJ 08302	856-878-5050	15
Essex County Superior Court	Essex County Historic Courthouse 470 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Newark, NJ 07102	973-776-9300	5
Gloucester County Superior Court	Gloucester County Courthouse 1 North Broad Street Woodbury, NJ 08096	856-878-5050	15
Hudson County Superior Court	Hudson County Administration Building 595 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306	201-795-5162	6
Hunterdon County Superior Court	Hunterdon County Courthouse 65 Park Avenue Flemington, NJ 08822	908-824-9750	13
Mercer County Superior Court	Mercer County Civil Courthouse 175 South Broad Street Trenton, NJ 08650	609-571-4200	7
Middlesex County Superior Court	Middlesex County Courthouse 56 Paterson Street New Brunswick, NJ 08903	732-645-4300	8
Monmouth County Superior Court	Monmouth County Courthouse 71 Monument Park Freehold, NJ 07728	732-358-8700	9
Morris County Superior Court	Morris County Courthouse Washington and Court Streets Morristown, NJ 07963	862-397-5700	10
Passaic County Superior Court	Passaic County Courthouse 77 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505	973-653-2910	11
Ocean County Superior Court	Ocean County Courthouse 118 Washington Street Toms River, NJ 08754	732-504-0700	14
Salem County Superior Court	Salem County Courthouse 92 Market Street Salem, NJ 08079	856-878-5050	15
Somerset County Superior Court	Somerset County Courthouse 20 North Bridge Street Somerville, NJ	908-332-7700	13
Sussex County Superior Court	Sussex County Judicial Center 43-47 High Street Newton, NJ 07860	862-397-5700	10
Union County Superior Court	Union County Courthouse 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207	908-787-1650	12
Warren County Superior Court	Warren County Courthouse 413 Second Street Belvidere, NJ 07823	908-750-8100	13

How to Get Debt Relief in New Jersey

Debt relief has helped numerous New Jersey residents eliminate their overwhelming debt. You have various options to manage your debt situation. The option best suited to you will depend on the type and number of debts, the money available, and the urgency to make payment. Let’s discuss the diverse options you have for debt relief in New Jersey and how to access these options.

• Debt settlement: When you choose to settle your outstanding debt, you intend to ask the creditor to take a reduced amount than what you originally owed. When using this option, you must have a lump sum amount available to pay the creditor once they accept the offer. Remember, it's best to start your negotiations at slightly less than the maximum you can pay so that you can afford to continue negotiations if your creditor makes a counteroffer. You can negotiate with the debt collector via SoloSettle or use a debt settlement company that will do most of the work for you at a higher fee.


• Credit counseling: This approach involves acquiring the services of a well-versed professional to help you manage your finances. They often help struggling consumers create a plan to get out of debt and live within a budget. However, this process is relatively slow. While you gain knowledge to avoid falling into the same financial traps, you should simultaneously be saving money to pay off your debts. Most credit counselors will also advise and require that you refrain from taking a new line of credit while in the program.


• Debt management programs: This option calls for enrolling in a debt management program where the professionals take over debt management. They may ask you to open a bank account to deposit money you will use to make payments. Afterward, they will approach the creditors and request better interest rates or favorable monthly payments than what you had.


• Debt consolidation: When you have multiple debts that you struggle to manage every month, consolidating your debts into a single manageable debt is the next best option. This method works by taking out a new personal loan, using the money to pay off the other debts, and remaining with this one to pay. The catch is to look for a loan with a lower interest rate.


• File for bankruptcy: This method should be your last resort as it will harm your credit score for ten years. Bankruptcy eliminates most of your debt and allows you to start afresh. However, you must first apply for it and learn whether you qualify for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

New Jersey also offers other debt relief services through organizations that support families and individuals struggling financially. These organizations include WorkFirst NJ, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), NJ SNAP, and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

New Jersey Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit

Finding your lawsuit in New Jersey can help you understand your case better, know how far you are in the process, and what is required of you while preparing for court. Before you can access your case records, you must first understand the court structure, which will help you know where your case will be heard and the options available for appeal. The following is New Jersey's court case structure:

• Supreme Court: The highest court in the state. They review cases for the lower courts.
• Appellate Division of the Superior Court: This is the intermediate appellate court. It reviews cases from the trial courts by re-examining the documents.
• Superior Court: New Jersey has 21 Superior Courts that accept a jury trial. These courts have further divisions that handle various civil cases. For instance, small claims cases of up to $3,000 are heard in the Special Civil Part Division. Any amount above $5,000 is heard in the Civil Division of the Superior Court.

Now that you understand how New Jersey's court system works, you should know what court has jurisdiction over your case. Below, we explain how to check the status of your New Jersey court case in person or online.

Your case records will likely be in your county’s Superior Court under the Special Civil Part Division. From there, you can search for your case number with the help of the court clerk. The court clerks create the case number for the court or case type, the county initials, the year the creditor filed the case, and the sequential number. For example, case number MER-DC-000010-23 is the tenth court case filed into Mercer County in 2023.

You must know your case number to access your court records and check the status of your case. If you don't know your case number, you must provide your name, date of birth, and the creditor’s name.

Check your court case status in person

New Jersey allows you to access your court records in person instead of online. In some counties, getting the records physically ensures you receive a detailed document instead of the skeleton details available online.

Use the New Jersey court directory to find your courthouse location. Click on your county, and you'll be redirected to a page with the contact information. If you require a few details from your case, you can call the court clerk and ask them about the basic information you need to save yourself the trip, such as the court date and time or the progress of your case. Any further information or documentation will usually require you to go physically. However, some court clers might be able to email you court documents if you request it.

Check the status of your case online

You can also search your case online at the New Jersey Public Access Portal. Go to the party search option, fill in the details, and click the search button. Your case number and information will appear.

How to Settle a Debt in New Jersey

Settling debt is the surest way of getting out of debt if you do not have the entire debt amount to pay. Some creditors understand the tough situation consumers face, and they accept a reduced amount of the money owed. After all, debt collectors know that the court process is slow and expensive, and they’d rather get something from you than risk getting nothing. But, you must prove you do not have the means to pay the entire debt.

Follow these stpes to settle a debt in New Jerseyyou have been sued:

1. Respond to the lawsuit: Even if you want to pay off a portion of the debt and settle, it's important to draft and file a written Answer into the case. This will block a default judgment and give you time to work out a settlement.
2. Make the first move and offer a settlement deal: Once you've filed an Answer, you can approach the opposing lawyer and offer a lump sum payment to settle. The amount should be significantly lower than the original debt, but make sure that it's a fair offer still. Give yourself room to negotiate.
3. Get the settlement deal in writing: Once the creditor accepts the offer, do not make any payments until they sign a written document, known as a debt settlement agreement, stating they will change the debt status to paid or settled and drop the lawsuit.

SoloSettle is an online tool that allows you to negotiate with creditors and debt collectors without having to call or talk to them directly. They will also take care of the paperwork, ensuring it is valid and can stand in court. Learn more about debt negotiations in the following video.

Unlike SoloSettle, where you take charge of the settlement process and use technology to negotiate, other debt settlement companies take over interaction with creditors and may require you to open a separate account to put the money you will save, or even ask you to stop making payments. Be vigilant when choosing a debt settlement company to work with. Examples to consider are Freedom Debt Relief, Century, National Debt Relief, Citizens Debt Relief, and CuraDebt.

How to File in Monmouth County Courthouse

Receiving a lawsuit in Monmouth County can seem devastating, but you still have a winning chance if you file the Answer before the deadline. You must also include the correct information to make your case strong. In New Jersey, the court where your case will be heard depends on the amount you owe. Here is the breakdown:

• The Small Claims Court: They take cases with debts of up to $ 3,000. The case is filed at the Monmouth County Small Claims Court.
• The Law Division, Special Civil Part: the debt owed should be between $3,000 and $15,000. It is filed at the Special Civil Part Court.
• The Law Division Claims: Handles cases with claims above $15,000. The case is filed at the Law Division of Monmouth Superior Court.

Once you receive a lawsuit from the court your debt fits in, you must respond within 35 days. Failure to which the creditor may obtain a default judgment and they may get a garnishment order. Use SoloSuit’s Answer to respond to the lawsuit and increase your chances of winning your case. Responding to the debt collection lawsuit occurs in three stages. They include:

1. Respond to the allegations: This is the first part of the Complaint document you must address. You are required to answer the allegations by admitting, denying, or denying for lack of knowledge. It is in your best interest to deny most of the claims and let the creditor prove their case.
2. Explain your affirmative defenses: The next section in the Complaint document is to list the reasons you have against paying the debt or the creditor. This is your chance to build a strong case and push the debt collector towards withdrawing the case or asking for a settlement deal.
3. Make copies and send the Answer: This is a crucial step that ensures your ANswer document gets to the court in time. Send a copy to the creditor and keep the last copy for future reference or to carry in court.

If you need help drafting and sending the Answer, SoloSuit can assist you. Our Answer template is easy to use, and you only need to customize it to your situation. At a small fee, we can file the Answer document on your behalf.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont; Vermont (Small Claims court)
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

• 11 Charter Communications
• AAA Collections
• Aargon Agency Inc
• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• ACEI Collections
• Account Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Advanced Recovery Systems
• AES NCT
• AFNI Collections
• Alco Capital Group LLC
• Aldous and Associates
• Alliance Collections
• Alliance One
• Alliant Capital Management
• Alpha Recovery Corp
• Alltran Financial
• Alltran Health
• Alorica Inc.
• Amcol Clmbia in Court
• American Coradius International
• American Profit Recovery
• American Recovery Service
• Americollect
• AmSher Collection Services
• Apelles LLC
• AR Resources
• ARC Collections
• ARM Solutions
• Arrow Financial Services
• ARS National Services
• ARSC Debt Collectors
• ARS National Services
• ARstrat
• AscensionPoint Recovery Services
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Atlantic Credit and Finance
• Atradius Collections
• Automated Collection Services, Inc.
• Autovest LLC
• Avante USA
• Avantus
• AWA Collections
• Balekian Hayes
• Bay Area Receivables
• BCA Financial Services
• BC Services
• Benuck and Rainey
• Berlin-Wheeler
• Bluebonnet Financial LLC
• Bonneville Collections
• Bull City Financial
• Bureaus Investment Group
• Cach LLC
• Caine and Weiner
• Capio Partners
• Capital Accounts
• Capital Collections
• Capital Management Services
• CardWorks
• Carmel Financial/New Coast Direct
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• CBCInnovis
• CBCS Collections
• CBE Group
• CBV Collections
• CCB Credit Services
• CCS Collections
• CCS Offices
• Central Mediation Services
• Central Portfolio Control
• Cerastes LLC
• Choice Recovery
• Choice Recovery Inc
• CKS Financial
• CKMS Financial
• Client Services
• CMRE Financial Services
• COAF
• Coast Professional
• Comenity Bank Debt Collection
• Commonwealth Financial
• ConServe Debt Collection
• Consumer Collection Management
• Contract Callers Inc
• Convergent Healthcare Recoveries
• Convergent Outsourcing
• Couch Conville & Blitt
• Covington Credit
• CRDT First
• Credco in Court
• Credence Resource Management
• Credit Bureau Systems
• Credit Control Corporation
• Credit Management Company
• Credit Management LP
• Credit Systems
• Credit Systems
• CSIEZPay
• CTC Debt Collector
• CVCS Debt Collection
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• D&A Services
• Daniels, Norelli, Cecere & Tavel P.C.
• DCM Services
• Debt Recovery Solutions
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Department Stores National Bank
• Direct Recovery Associates
• Discover Collections
• Diversified Adjustment
• Diversified Consultants
• Diversified Recovery Bureau
• DNF Associates, LLC
• Dodeka LLC
• DRS Credit
• Dynamic Collectors
• Eagle Loan
• Eagle Accounts Group, Inc.
• Eastern Account System
• EduCap
• Ellington and Associates Collections
• Encore Capital Group
• Enerson Law
• Enerson Law LLC
• Enhanced Recovery Company
• EOS CCA
• ERC Collections
• ERSolutions
• Estate Information Services
• Equable Ascent Financial
• Everest Business Funding
• Executive Credit Management
• Faber and Brand
• Factual Data
• Falls Collection Service
• FBCS
• FCO Collections and Outsourcing
• FIA Card Services
• fin rec svc (Financial Recovery Services)
• First Federal Credit Credit Control
• First Financial Bank
• First Portfolio Ventures LLC
• First Progress
• FirstPoint Collection Resources
• Firstsource Advantage
• FMA Alliance
• FNB Omaha
• Forster & Garbus
• Franklin Collection Services
• Freedom Plus
• Freshview Solutions
• Frontline Asset
• Frost Arnett
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Galaxy International Purchasing, LLC
• GC Debt Collection
• GC Services
• General Revenue Corporation
• GLA Collections
• Glass Mountain Capital
• Glasser and Glasser
• Global Credit Collection Corp
• Global Trust Management
• GMAC Financing
• Golden 1 Credit Union
• Grant and Weber
• Grant Mercantile Agency
• Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
• Gurstel
• Halsted Financial Services
• Harris and Harris
• Harvard Collection
• Harvest Credit Management
• Helvey and Associates
• Hollis Cobb
• Holloway Moxley
• Hosto Buchan
• Howard Lee Schiff
• H&R Accounts
• HRRG
• Hudson & Keyse LLC?
• Hunter Warfield
• IC System
• Impact Receivables Management
• Innovative Recovery
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
• JP Receivables Management Partners
• JPMCB card
• Kenneth Eisen and Associates
• KeyBank student loans
• Kinum
• Kirschenbaum, Phillips & Levy P.C.
• KLS Financial Services
• Kramer & Frank
• Lakeside Collection
• Lending Club
• Lincoln and Morgan Kabbage
• Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
• Lockhart Collection Agency
• LJ Ross Associates
• LTD Collections
• Malcolm S. Gerald and Associates
• Malen & Associates
• Mandarich Law Group
• Mannbracken
• Marcam Associates
• MARS Inc. Collections
• MBA Law
• MCA Management Company
• McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff
• Meade & Associates
• Medicredit
• Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
• Merchants Credit Association
• MGM Collections
• Michael J Adams PC
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mid-South Adjustment
• Monarch Recovery
• Monterey Financial
• Moss Law Firm
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• MRS BPO
• MSW Capital LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Nathan and Nathan PC
• National Collegiate Trust
• National Credit Adjusters
• National Credit Care
• National Credit Systems
• National Enterprise Systems
• National Recovery Agency
• National Recovery Solutions
• Nationstar
• Nationwide Credit
• Nationwide Recovery Services
• Nationwide Recovery Systems
• NCEP LLC
• NCO Financial Systems Incorporated
• North American Recovery
• Northland Group
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• Northstar Location Services
• NPAS
• NRC Collection Agency
• Oliver Adjustment Company
• Oliphant Financial, LLC
• Oportun
• P&B Capital Group
• PCB Collections Agency
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Contracting Services
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Payday Loan Debt Collectors
• Pendrick Capital Partners
• Penn Credit
• Perdue Brandon
• Persolve LLC
• Phillips & Cohen Associates
• Phoenix Financial Services
• Pioneer Credit Recovery
• PMAB LLC
• PRA Group, Inc.
• Pressler, Felt & Warshaw LLP
• Prestige Services, Inc.
• Prince Parker and Associates
• ProCollect
• Professional Finance Company
• Progressive Management Systems
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Quaternary Collection Agency
• RAB Collection Agency
• Rash Curtis and Associates
• Radius Global SOL
• Radius Global Solutions
• Rawlings Company
• Razor Capital
• Real Time Resolutions
• Receivables Performance Management
• Regents and Associates
• Reliant Capital Solutions
• RentGrow
• Resurgent
• Resurgent Capital Services and LVNV Funding
• Revco Solutions
• Revenue Enterprises LLC
• Revenue Group
• RGS Financial, Inc.
• RMP LLC in Court
• RMP Services
• RS Clark and Associates
• RSIEH
• RSIEH
• RTR Financial Services
• Rubin & Rothman
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Samara Portfolio Management
• SCA Collections
• Scott Parnell and Associates
• Second Round Collections
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Selip & Stylianou LLP
• Sequium Asset Solutions
• Sessoms and Rogers
• Sherman Acquisition
• Sherman Financial Group
• SIMM Associates
• Source Receivables Management
• Southern Management Systems
• Southwest Credit Group
• Spire Recovery Solutions
• SRS Company
• Stark Collection Agency
• State Collection Service
• Stenger and Stenger
• Stillman Law Office
• Summit Account Resolution
• Sunrise Credit Services
• Superlative RM Debt Collector
• Suttell and Hammer
• Synergetic Communication
• Synerprise Consulting
• The Law Office of Michael J Scott
• Trellis Company
• Troy Capital
• TRS Recovery Services
• TrueAccord
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• UHG 1, LLC
• Unifin
• Unifin Debt Collector
• Unifund
• Universal Credit Services
• US Bank Collections
• USAA collections
• USCB America
• Valentine and Kebartas
• Valley Servicing
• Vance & Huffman LLC
• Van Ru Credit Corporation
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Viking Client Services
• Wakefield and Associates
• Waypoint Resource Group
• WCTCB
• Weinberg and Associates
• Weltman, Weinberg & Reis
• Westwood Funding
• Williams and Fudge
• Wilshire Consumer Credit
• Wolpoff & Abramson
• Worldwide Asset Purchasing
• www.AutomotiveCredit.com
• Zarzaur & Schwartz
• Zwicker & Associates

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

• American Express; American Express – Debt Collection
• Bank of America
• Barclay
• Best Buy Credit Card
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• Old Navy Credit Card
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• Regional Finance
• Retailers National Bank
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Synchrony Walmart Card
• Target National Bank
• Webbank
• Wells Fargo
• Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
• Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

• Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
• Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Fight Medical Bill Debt?
• Does Bankruptcy Clear Medical Debt?
• How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
• How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
• Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
• Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

• How Arbitration Works
• How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
• How Credit Card Arbitration Works
• Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
• Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

• 1-800-390-7584
• 800-289-8004
• 800-955-6600
• 8009556600
• 877-366-0169
• 877-591-0747
• 800-278-2420
• 800-604-0064
• 800-846-6406
• 877-317-0948
• 888-899-4332
• 888-912-7925
• 202-367-9070
• 502-267-7522

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

• 15 USC 1692 Explained
• Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
• FDCPA Violations List
• How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
• How to Submit a Transunion Dispute
• How to Submit an Equifax Dispute
• How to Submit an Experian Dispute
• What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
• What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
• What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?
• What does FCRA stand for?
• What is the Consumer Credit Protection Act