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Debt Collection Attorneys Near Me

Sarah Edwards | April 21, 2023

Sarah Edwards
Legal Expert
Sarah Edwards, BS

Sarah Edwards is a professional researcher and writer specializing in legal content. An Emerson College alumna, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the prestigious Boston institution.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Looking for a debt collection attorneyt is like^^

Summary: If you’re facing a debt lawsuit, you might consider hiring a debt collection attorney to defend you. Debt collection lawsuits are considered civil cases, so if you search civil attorneys in your area, you are more likely to find someone who can take on your case. SoloSuit can help you save money and time by filing an Answer yourself, without the help of an attorney.

When you first applied for a credit card or took out a loan, you probably didn’t anticipate any trouble repaying it. At the time, you needed the money and thought you had enough income to make regular payments. Unfortunately, you ran into problems that harmed your financial stability, like losing your job or contracting a severe illness.

Creditors note when clients stop paying their bills, and they usually escalate their collection efforts to get them back on track. If phone calls and letters don’t resolve the debt, they may decide to sue you.

If you’re the subject of a debt lawsuit, you might consider hiring a debt collection attorney to defend you. However, finding a debt collection attorney in your area isn’t always straightforward.

Do you need to settle a debt collection lawsuit quickly? SoloSettle handles the settlement process for you.

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Check online and local listings for debt collection attorneys

You can find debt collection lawyers through various sources, including on the internet. Online directories like Avvo.com allow you to search for lawyers by name and practice area, allowing you to quickly find representation.

Note that debt collection cases are typically considered civil cases, so when you’re in search of a debt collection attorney, you are really looking for a lawyer who specializes in civil cases.

You can also browse local listing services like Google Maps and Yelp. However, it’s essential to realize that debt collection attorneys can represent both lenders and borrowers. You’ll want to find one who specializes in defending consumers.

Most lawyers rely heavily on advertising to promote their services. You’ll likely find a few in your area who continually appear in your research. However, don’t rely entirely on an attorney’s marketing efforts when finding someone to represent you. Consider reviews from prior clients, and check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for complaints.

When you find a few lawyers who fit your criteria, schedule a consultation with each one. Many attorneys offer free consultations, so you won’t need to worry about incurring extra costs. Choose the attorney you feel most comfortable with who provides the services you need.

Sometimes, you don’t need a debt collection attorney’s help

Hiring a lawyer isn’t necessary for all debt collection lawsuits. Remember that an attorney will charge you for their services; these costs can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If your lawsuit is less than $500, there’s no reason to hire an attorney. The legal costs would probably exceed the amount of the debt lawsuit. If you have a solid case against the creditor, you can file an Answer and represent yourself in court. Otherwise, you can repay the debt or try to settle it.

Check out the following video for six tips on drafting your response to a debt lawsuit:

However, a lawyer may be helpful if you have a particularly complicated claim or owe a lot of money. For instance, hiring an attorney might be beneficial if your debt is $25,000 and you know you can’t afford to repay it or settle it before your court date.

Let’s consider an example.

Example: Clara’s creditor, Red Bank, is suing her for $600 in credit card debt. She isn't sure how to defend herself, so she’s considering hiring a debt collection attorney. However, the attorney she consults with advises that their firm would charge her $300 in fees. In this case, Clara is probably better off repaying or settling the debt since the lawyer’s fees will tack on an additional 50% to the lawsuit amount. She uses SoloSuit to respond to the lawsuit and fight back.


Understand the debt lawsuit process

A debt lawsuit starts when a creditor initiates a Complaint against you. The Complaint will list the amount you owe and information about your account. You’ll receive a copy of the Complaint and a Summons indicating your hearing date.

When you receive a Complaint, you’ll need to file an Answer. An Answer includes all your defenses for the lawsuit and stops your creditor from requesting a default judgment against you.

After filing your Answer, you’ll have a few options — repaying the debt, arranging a settlement, or defending yourself in court. If you don’t resolve the debt before the court date and lose your case, your creditor will obtain a judgment they can use to garnish your wages.

You don’t want your creditors to win a judgment against you, so make sure you gather supporting evidence if you have a valid defense to your creditor’s claim.

If you have a complicated case, it’s best to hire a debt collection attorney

Most debt lawsuits involve minor amounts that end up in small claims court. However, if a creditor is suing you for a large amount of money and you feel you need the support of an attorney, it’s smart to look for a debt collection lawyer.

Before hiring one, make sure you understand their fee structure and feel comfortable that they’re the right person for your case.

Do you need to write an Answer for a debt lawsuit claim? Use SoloSuit’s Debt Answer template to respond to your debt lawsuit by yourself.

What is Solo?

Solo makes it easy to resolve debt with 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.

SoloSettle can help you contact your debt collector or creditor and negotiate the debt to settle for less, all online. It simplifies and streamlines the process to settling your debt.

No matter where you find yourself in the debt collection process, Solo is here to help you resolve your debt.

>>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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.


"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather



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