"Collections" refers to the process by which creditors try to get nonpaying debtors to pay what is owed. There are countless laws in South St. Paul, Minnesota regulating the conduct of collections agences.

What if I Am Owed Money in South St. Paul, Minnesota?

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you have several legal options to seek repayment of your debt. However, you need to be careful in this area. There are many rules and regulations detailing what debt collectors can and cannot do. Violating these laws, even inadvertently, can harm your chances at collecting, and maybe even expose you to civil penalties.

For example, it should go without mentioning that creditors are not allowed to use threatened or actual violence when attempting to collect. They are also not allowed to use abusive language to the debtor, or contact a third party about the debt.

What you can do, however, is send an invoice of the debt to the debtor, along with a firm (but civil) demand for timely payment. If the debt is significant, you might also want to hire a collection agency in South St. Paul, Minnesota. You should make sure that any agency you hire is reputable, and has not been cited for violations of the rules governing collections.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in South St. Paul, Minnesota?

If you actually owe the money that they are attempting to collect, and are able to pay it, doing so would be your best option for ending the collections calls. Of course, this is not everybody's situation. When dealing with collectors, you should try to maintain the high ground by behaving in a calm and polite manner. In any event, you should never ignore the problem, as this usually makes things worse.

Fortunately, you have some options in South St. Paul, Minnesota. First of all, you should attempt to contact the creditor directly, and see if something can be worked out. If this doesn't work, you can demand that the collection agency stop contacting you by phone. When this happens, they are not allowed to contact you further. This, of course, doesn't make the debt go away, but if the calls are becoming unbearable, it might buy you a little bit of time. Usually, when this happens, the creditor gives up on extra-judicial collections, and files a lawsuit against the debtor.

If you have hired a South St. Paul, Minnesota lawyer to help, he or she may advise that you file for bankruptcy. If you do apply for bankruptcy, creditors are immediately required to suspend all collection activities. Of course, bankruptcy is a major decision, and should not be made without the advice of an attorney.

How Can a South St. Paul, Minnesota Collections Attorney Help?

If you believe that the collections agency is engaging in unlawful or abusive activity, you should consult with a local attorney in South St. Paul, Minnesota, as you may actually have a claim for damages against the collection agency.

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