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Sued By Valentine and Kebartas? How to Settle Your Debt

George Simons | January 31, 2025

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

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: Is Valentine and Kebartas suing you? Not sure what to do next? Solo is here to help. We show you how to respond appropriately and proactive steps you can take to resolve your debt issue.

If you are being contacted by a debt collection company such as Valentine and Kebartas, you may be feeling upset, stressed, and anxious about your future. Do not give up hope. You have options and pathways to achieving a resolution. For example, you could engage directly with Valentine and Kebartas to try and negotiate a debt settlement.

Settle debt with Valentine and Kebartas

You can negotiate debt settlement at any stage of the collections process. SoloSettle makes it easy.

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What is Valentine and Kebartas?

Valentine and Kebartas is a debt collections agency based out of Massachusetts. They have been in business for over 30 years. Here is their mailing address:

  • Phone: (800) 731-7766
  • Address: 15 Union St Ste 202, Lawrence, MA 01840-1823
  • Mailing address: P.O. Box 325, Lawrence, MA 01842

Who does Valentine and Kebartas collect for?

Valentine and Kebartas, Inc. is a full service debt collection company that’s been in business since 1994. They specialize in education debt collection including student loans. For example, Valentine and Kebartas has engaged in debt collections for Navient Solutions, Inc. (formerly known as Sallie Mae), which is one of the largest servicers of Federal and private student loans.

They are also known to collect on behalf of credit card companies, insurance companies, utility companies, and retailers.Respond to debt collectors the right way with Solo.

Read Valentine and Kebartas reviews online

If you are looking for information about what consumers have said regarding their experience with Valentine and Kebartas on an unpaid debt, then take a moment to read these reviews:

It’s fair to say the online reviews for Valentine and Kebartas reflect an array of experiences, some negative and some positive. Regardless of what others have said, it is possible to have a positive experience communicating with Valentine and Kebartas collectors to address a debt collection matter.

Oportun debt collectors are generally willing to working with you to get your debt paid in a way that works based on your financial situation. Effective communication is paramount.

Nevertheless, if the idea of calling a debt collector to negotiate a settlement sounds horrific, then try using SoloSettle to negotiate online and resolve your debt through the digital settlement platform.

How to negotiate debt settlement with Valentine and Kebartas

If you want to pay off your debt, but don't have sufficient funds to pay the full amount, then consider engaging in debt settlement negotiations. By way of background, debt settlement generally involves paying a portion of your total debt to clear your name of the debt and get a debt lawsuit dismissed without having to battle it out in court.

If you're experiencing unexpected financial hardship, many creditors and debt collectors are open to working with you, whether that's settling for a reduced, lump-sum payment or working out a payment plan that works with your budget.

If debt settlement sounds like the right option, determine how much you can afford to pay and start communicating with Valentine and Kebartas. The more you offer in a proposed debt settlement, the more likely the debt collector will accept the offer.

For example, conveying a settlement offer of at least 60 percent of the debt’s total is generally considered to be a good starting point. However, if you have extenuating circumstances, the debt collector may entertain a lower amount (typically anywhere between 40 percent and 60 percent). Keep in mind that you may go back and forth with Valentine and Kebartas before you reach an agreement.

Learn more about how to settle your debt with Valentine and Kebartas by watching this informative video:

The FDCPA protects you from harassing debt collectors

It is important to understand that you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This act states the rules and limits that apply to debt collection companies. Some of the rules include:

  • Valentine and Kebartas cannot call or write to you at work.
  • Valentine and Kebartas may not use rude or vulgar language when it communicates with you by phone or mail.
  • Valentine and Kebartas cannot threaten to sue you.
  • Valentine and Kebartas cannot contact you before 8 am or after 9 pm.

Use Solo to beat threatening debt collectors in court.

Sued by a debt collector? How to respond

If a debt collector files a debt collection lawsuit against you, it's important to respond appropriately and to do so promptly. Do not throw away the notice and assume that the lawsuit will go away. It will be there even if you throw the lawsuit notice in the trash. It just means you raised the white flag and are letting them win. You should not do this and you have other options.

Here are some things to remember as you write an Answer to the lawsuit:

  • Never admit that you owe any debt that they say you owe. Valentine and Kebartas need to prove that you owe the debt. You don't want to do their work for them. Make them prove it!
  • File your Answer with the appropriate clerk of court within 20 or 30 days of receiving the notice; the time limit for your response will be noted on the document.
  • Mail the answer that you have stamped by the clerk of court to the opposing attorney.

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

Try these affirmative defenses in your Answer

When you draft your answer in response to the debt collection lawsuit filed by a debt collector, you will have the chance to address several deficiencies in their argument. Always remember that debt collectors have to show that you owe what they claim you owe. This means the collector has to show the following before you must legally repay the debt:

  • The collector has the right to sue you.
  • You are the one who owes the debt.
  • You owe what is stated by the collector in the complaint filed with the court.

If the collector fails to meet these guidelines, it means you can win in court and could get the lawsuit dismissed.

Depending on the case circumstances, you could say that the debt collector did not file the debt collection action within the statute of limitations for your state. The statute of limitations lays out how much time someone has to file suit against you. Depending on the lawsuit and state, the time limit can be from one to five years.

If the facts show that you were sued after the statute of limitations ran out, you may file a motion to have the legal action dismissed with prejudice.

Also, you may want to think about filing a countersuit. But you need evidence that the collector violated an aspect of the FDCPA. If you have such evidence, you could be in line for compensatory damages and having your legal fees paid.

Make the right affirmative defenses with SoloSuit.

What to Do If You're Sued by Valentine and Kebartas

Valentine and Kebartas probably won’t sue you because they aren’t a law firm, but here's the bottom line on actions to take if Valentine and Kebartas sues you for debts you allegedly owe:

  • Write down all phone calls that Valentine and Kebartas makes before 8 am and after 9 pm. Also, note if they call you at work or use vulgar language. These actions are illegal and you can sue them back.
  • Be certain to file your legal answer within the timeline that the complaint states.
  • In the answer, think about raising one of the defenses we mentioned above, such as the statute of limitations. Also, demand that Valentine and Kebartas give you proof that you owe what you say you owe.

These are ways that you can Valentine and Kebartas at the debt collection game. You have many options, you just have to know what the rules are and to respond appropriately. Also, remember to consider filing a countersuit if they violate the FDCPA.

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The Ultimate 50 State Guide

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