How to Settle a Debt in Texas

Edited by Hannah Locklear

You probably have a few debts you're responsible for, like a credit card or medical bills. If you don’t keep up with your payments, your creditor will likely step up collection efforts. You might receive a lot of calls, emails, or letters from the creditor or a debt collector working on their behalf.

If you don’t return to making your monthly payments, your creditor will probably charge off your account. They may sell it to a collection agency or take legal action against you.

When you get sued for a debt, creditors and debt collectors will seek a judgment that allows them to freeze your bank account or garnish your paycheck. In short, they hope you don’t respond in time and lose the case automatically when the judge orders a default judgment against you.

You want to avoid a judgment and settle the matter with your creditor before your court date. You can do so through the debt settlement process.

Use these 3 steps to settle your debt in Texas

There are three steps you’ll want to be aware of in the debt settlement process.

1. Respond to the debt lawsuit with an Answer.
2. Send a settlement offer to start negotiations.
3. Ensure you have a written settlement agreement.

We’ll take a closer look at each of these steps below, or, you can watch this video to learn more:

1. Respond to the debt lawsuit with an Answer

Your creditor will start the legal process against you by filing a Petition with your local Texas court. A Petition lists the reasons for your lawsuit, such as nonpayment of debt. It will also indicate the amount of money you owe, including interest and penalties.

You’ll want to respond to the debt lawsuit with an Answer. An Answer is your defense of the case. When you file an Answer, your creditor cannot ask the judge for a default judgment against you. Instead, the judge must review your defense and any additional evidence you provide. You’ll also be able to argue your case in court.

Even though you plan to avoid court and settle your debt with your creditor, you should still file an Answer. If your efforts at settlement fail, you’ll have another way to defend yourself from a judgment.

You have 14-20 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in Texas. SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer in minutes.

Send a settlement offer to start negotiations

Step two involves evaluating how much you can offer in a debt settlement. Look at your savings and any expected income. If you don’t have much cash, consider selling a few things you don’t need or taking on some contract work. You can also ask family or friends for a loan.

It’s best to offer at least 60% of the total value of your debt in a settlement. That’s enough to show creditors you’re serious about settling. They’ll consider your offer and determine whether it’s more cost-effective to accept a single lump-sum payment than to undertake the administrative burden of seeking a judgment.

Remember that creditors aren’t out to make your life horrible; they’re just seeking repayment for a debt you owe. However, they know that a full collection isn’t always possible, so they might accept a lesser amount if they understand your financial circumstances.

You might go through a few rounds of negotiations with your creditor before you come to an agreement. Stick to your guns and don’t accept an offer you know you can’t follow through with. If you do and don’t make the required payment, your creditor will follow through on the lawsuit against you.

SoloSettle takes care of the settlement negotiation process for you.

Ensure you have a written settlement agreement

Once you have a deal with your creditor, you’ll want to get the agreement in writing. If questions later arise, you’ll be able to refer to the contract.

Your agreement should stipulate how much money you’ll pay your creditor and when it’s due. It should also indicate how you’ll send your payment.

The agreement should release you from the remaining debt balance. Your creditor will agree to drop the lawsuit against you and report the account settled to the credit bureaus.

Generally, the creditor or debt collector will draft the settlement agreement and file it into the case. Be sure to review the document carefully before signing anything. On top of this, consider notarizing the signature to make it even more official, making it impossible for the opposing party to back out.

Here’s a debt settlement agreement example, with a preview below, so you know what to look for.

We’ve walked through the three steps of debt settlement. Let’s review them with a hypothetical example.

Texas debt collection and debt settlement laws

Texas abides by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which places certain restrictions on debt collection. In particular, creditors and debt collection agents cannot take any of the following actions against a consumer:

• Call a consumer at odd hours, like before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Tell a debtor they’ll go to prison if they don’t pay an obligation.
• Publish the consumer’s debt through any medium, including social media.
• Pretend to be someone else when contacting the consumer.
• Contact a debtor’s friends or family and tell them they owe a debt.
• Threaten to destroy an individual’s reputation if they don’t repay an obligation.

Debt settlement companies that enroll clients for their programs must fulfill certain requirements under Texas Finance Code FIN § 394.208. In particular, debt settlement companies must:

• Ensure the consumer can make regular monthly payments toward the program.
• Provide the consumer with debt counseling before enrolling them in a debt settlement program.
• Give the debtor individualized advice concerning their debts, including specific recommendations they should take.

Texas has additional rules protecting consumers from debt service management companies under Texas Finance Code FIN § 394.212. Collectors cannot take any of the following actions:

• Offer consumers a bonus or reward for entering into a debt service management contract.
• Use an unconscionable means to obtain a contract with a consumer.
• Engage in unfair or deceptive acts with consumers.

The statute of limitations in Texas caps the time a creditor has to pursue a lawsuit against a debtor. Under TX Civ Prac & Rem Code § 16.004 (2019), there is a four-year limit to lawsuits for written and oral contracts and debts on account. After the debt passes the four-year limitation, it becomes time-barred.

What are a few recommended debt settlement companies?

Several debt settlement companies can assist you in the debt settlement process. Others are actually scams that can make your situation exponentially worse.

Below are some trusted debt settlement companies you might consider.

SoloSettle

SoloSettle, powered by SoloSuit, helps people facing a debt lawsuit settle their obligations through a tech-based approach. We send and receive settlement offers on your behalf and manage the documentation and payment so you don’t have to.

Many consumers prefer SoloSettle over traditional debt settlement companies for a few reasons:

• You can settle debts of any size with SoloSettle. Many debt settlement companies require you to have a debt over $15k.
• SoloSettle actively attempts to settle your debt, whereas many debt settlement companies take a more passive role, waiting for settlement offers to come to them.
• SoloSettle is offered by SoloSuit, a trusted brand and a legitimate company. Many traditional debt settlement companies are actual scams.
• SoloSettle has legal defense built in with SoloSuit. While settling, you can use SoloSuit to block lawsuits if you need. Most debt settlement companies don’t provide legal defense; if you’re sued for a debt you are on your own.

Check out this review form a real SoloSettle customer:

“I'm very thankful for SoloSettle.. Having a third party negotiate the settlement was instrumental in resolving this case and saved me from two giant headaches: 1) I didn't have to deal with the plaintiff's lawyer and 2) I didn't have to go to court. I also love that the payment was processed through SoloSettle. I was nervous about sharing my personal financial data with the other side, but SoloSettle protected that for me. I hope I never get sued again, but if I do, I would use SoloSettle again in a heartbeat.

SoloSettle really saved me a ton of time and heartburn and kept me from having to be my own lawyer in court.”

Settlements are easier with SoloSettle.

Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief provides debt settlement services to individuals with unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills. To qualify for its programs, you must have at least $10,000 in debt and agree to make monthly payments to the company. Accredited Debt Relief negotiates your debts one by one, and programs last up to four years.

National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief is one of the biggest debt settlement companies in the U.S. Since 2009, the company has helped thousands of people settle debts with their creditors. Clients who enroll in its programs pay 15% to 25% of the value of their debt for the company’s services.

Freedom Debt Relief

Another large provider of debt settlement services is Freedom Debt Relief. The company has helped over 650,000 clients resolve their debts since 2002. Those interested in the program can expect it to last between two and four years. Like National Debt Relief, Freedom Debt Relief charges clients a 15% to 25% fee.

Century Support Services

Century Support Services is another debt relief company that’s popular with customers. Since 2012, the organization has helped customers resolve more than $1.7 billion in debt. Century Support Services charges clients 18% to 25%, depending on how much debt they seek to settle.

What’s the best way to contact my creditor?

If you’d like to try settling your debts with your creditor, you can contact them via email, phone call, or letter.

Email is the easiest way to start negotiating your debts. It’s quick, and you’ll have time to consider your creditor’s messages before responding. Email also provides a written record of the conversation between you and your creditor, which is helpful if you need to refer to it later.

Some people prefer to speak directly with their creditors. If you decide to phone your creditor, we recommend you record the conversation. That way, you’ll have it as proof of any deal you reach with your creditor.

Under Tex. Penal Code § 16.02, only one party must consent to record a phone conversation. The party granting their consent will be you.

FAQs about debt settlement in Texas

You might have other questions regarding debt settlement in Texas. Here are a few of the most common inquiries.

Q. What is a reasonable offer to settle a debt?

A reasonable offer to settle a debt is usually 50% to 60% of its value. That’s typically enough for your creditor to seriously evaluate your offer. However, if you can’t afford that much, offer what you can and explain your financial circumstances to the creditor.

Q. Can I settle a debt after being served in Texas?

Yes, you can still settle your debt after receiving notice of a lawsuit against you in Texas. Determine what you can afford in a settlement and start negotiating with your creditor. Make sure to get your agreement in writing before transferring any money.

Q. Is it better to settle a debt or pay it off?

It’s best to pay off a debt in full. Paying your debt maintains your relationships with your creditors and your credit score. However, if you’re facing a debt lawsuit or are in deep financial trouble, settling the debt can prevent a judgment.

How to get debt relief in Texas

We have a few other guides you can review concerning debt relief and debt collections in Texas. Check them out below.

• How to Get Debt Relief in Texas | SoloSuit Blog
• Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in Texas | SoloSuit Blog
• How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Texas (2021 Guide) | SoloSuit Blog
• Texas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit | SoloSuit Blog

You can avoid a judgment and settle your obligation

It’s possible to avoid a judgment and overcome your debt with a creditor. Using our three-step process, you can negotiate a settlement and move on from a challenging financial situation.

Check out the debt settlement solutions from SoloSuit.

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.

>>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 your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
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Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

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