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Do I Need a Legal Coach?

Chloe Meltzer | October 19, 2022

Chloe-Meltzer
Legal Expert
Chloe Meltzer, MA

Chloe Meltzer is an experienced content writer specializing in legal content creation. She holds a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University, complemented by a Master’s in Marketing from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

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.

Summary: If you're being sued for an old debt, you might think you need a legal coach. Find out if a legal coach is necessary to defend yourself against debt collectors.

If you are considered a legal coach, it may be due to being in debt or having other run-ins with the legal system. If you are being sued for debt specifically, you may want to consider a legal coach if you feel that you are not prepared, or have no idea what to expect. It is good to note that many debt collectors looking to take advantage of consumers, therefore having a support system can be helpful.

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What is legal coaching?

Legal coaching is something that is commonly used but is not widely spoken about. It is a form of coaching that can help teach you how to appear in court. Although often used in family law, it is also something that can be used for consumers who are going to court for nonpayment of debt.

Legal coaches can help consumers learn how to defend themselves, offering legal assistance and tips needed to present their case. Essentially, the purpose of legal coaching is to teach consumers how to represent themselves in the best light possible to a judge.

In general, legal coaching encompasses a variety of services. The amount of coaching necessary will depend on the knowledge of the client, and the severity of the case. Certain cases may involve learning how to generate an Answer to a summons, as well as assistance in revising documents for court. Another aspect of legal coaching involves learning how to handle yourself in court. It may also include an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the case, as well as how to strengthen your case.

Legal coaching and debt collection

If you are struggling with debt, legal coaching can help you to assess your situation properly. Whether you have already begun the process and need to assess how you can improve, or you have not started at all, legal coaching can help to improve your chances of success.

Effective legal coaches can help you understand your goals, and look at your case realistically. Although every case will not go perfectly, a legal coach can help you make it go as smoothly as possible.

Some cases require you to speak to a judge, while others might require an out-of-court settlement. Out-of-court settlements can help you to pay much less than you would if you went to court, a legal coach can help you pay as little as possible.

Goals of legal coaching:

  • Raise your awareness of the case
  • Identify goals
  • Find affirmative defenses
  • Improve performance in court
  • Decide on the best path
  • Build confidence
  • Get your story and demands inline

Win in court when you use SoloSuit to defend yourself against your creditors.

Do I need a legal coach?

Legal coaching is designed for anyone who needs aid with a court case. If you are battling a debt collection lawsuit, then you most likely wish to pay as little as possible to the debt collector. If you do not owe the debt, or believe you should not have to pay it, a legal coach can help you do this.

Using the right terminology to explain your affirmative defenses against a lawsuit is essential. Common affirmative defenses to a debt collection lawsuit include:

  • Improper Service (no personal jurisdiction): Meaning you never received the summons and complaint, or you were served illegally.
  • Identity Theft or Mistaken Identity: The debt was not charged by you, rather, your identity was stolen to make the purchase.
  • Statute of Limitations: As the best affirmative defense available, the statute of limitations is a time limit that a creditor has to file a lawsuit against you. It begins on the last payment date and runs anywhere from three to ten years based on the state you live in.
  • Already paid: You have paid all or a part of the debt.
  • Lack of standing: When the plaintiff is a debt buyer, not your original creditor, you can state that because you never signed a contract directly with the debt buyer, they must prove they have the right to sue you. They cannot continue with the lawsuit unless they prove that they own your debt.

One of the main benefits of legal coaching is increased self-awareness. It can allow you to understand what you need to do in your case, or how to properly approach it. It can also allow you to see yourself from a different perspective, and avoid making serious mistakes in your case. If you are faced with a debt collection lawsuit and need help knowing how to approach it, consider legal coaching.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

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"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James

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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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