"Collections" is the process by which creditors try to get nonpaying debtors to pay the money they owe. There are a huge number of laws in Lanett, Alabama governing the tactics that collection agencies can and cannot do.

What if I Am Owed Money in Lanett, Alabama?

If you are owed money and the debtor refuses to pay, you have some options at your disposal. However, you must tread lightly when it comes to collecting your debts. Creditors and collectors are governed by specific consumer protection laws. Violating these laws can hurt your chances of recovering what you are owed, and even subject you to civil or criminal penalties.

Several practices that collectors cannot engage in include the use of abusive language, contacting third parties about the debt, and threatened or actual violence.

One thing you are allowed to do is send a written demand for immediate payment. The demand should lay out the precise amount you believe is owed, so the debtor cannot plausibly claim ignorance of that fact. If a lot of money is involved, it might be wise to hire a Lanett, Alabama collections agency. If you go this route, it is necessary to make sure that you hire an agency that is reputable, and follows the relevant law to the letter.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Lanett, Alabama?

If you know that you owe the money being sought of you, and have the resources to pay it, you should do so - this is the fastest and surest way to end collections calls. Of course, this is not the case for everyone. Whatever your situation, you should always behave amicably with the collection callers, especially if they are doing the same. Whatever you do, you should not ignore the matter, because this will never make the problem go away, and will make things worse in the long run.

Thankfully, you have many options at your disposal in Lanett, Alabama. First, you should try to contact the creditor directly, and see if some sort of deal can be worked out. If this is unsuccessful, you can tell the collectors to stop contacting you, which may work in some instances. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, but it might give you a little bit of breathing room. The collectors will only be allowed to contact you to let you know that they are suing you for the money owed, or that they have stopped trying to collect the debt.

If you have retained the services of a Lanett, Alabama attorney, they may advise that you declare bankruptcy, depending on your particular situation. In any case, you shouldn't consider bankruptcy before weighing other options, and discussing the matter with an attorney.

How Can a Lanett, Alabama Collections Attorney Help?

If you believe that a creditor is violating the law in its effort to collect from you, you should get in touch with a Lanett, Alabama attorney, since you might actually have a claim for damages against the creditor.

If you are thinking about applying for bankruptcy, a seasoned lawyer in Alabama can help you with that process, too.