Broadly, the term "Collections" refers to the practice of creditors attempting to force debtors to pay what they owe. There are numerous laws and regulations in La Vergne, Tennessee that govern collection agencies, and strictly limit the types of tactics they are permitted to engage in.

What if I Am Owed Money in La Vergne, Tennessee?

If somebody owes you money and is refusing to pay, you have various options at your disposal. However, in doing so, you will be governed by very strict consumer protection laws that govern the collection of debts. Breaking these rules can hurt your chances at successfully collecting, and might even expose you to civil liability.

As an example, when trying to collect, creditors may not use abusive language, contact third parties regarding the debt, or use violence or threats of violence.

You may, however, send a written demand for timely payment. The demand should lay out precisely how much the debtor allegedly owes. If there is a large amount of money involved, it might be worth it to hire a La Vergne, Tennessee collections agency, which will probably take its fee in the form of a percentage of the debt collected. You should do some research on various collections agencies in your area, to make sure the one you hire is trustworthy, and scrupulously follows the law.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in La Vergne, Tennessee?

If you truly owe the money that is being sought, and can afford to pay it, you should do so. If the collection caller is behaving in a civil manner, you should try to do the same. In any case, the worst thing you can do is ignore the issue hoping that it will go away. It won't.

Your best option in La Vergne, Tennessee might be to contact the creditor directly, and try to work out some type of new repayment plan. The sooner you do this, the more receptive to your ideas the creditor is likely to be. If this isn't successful, you can demand that the collectors stop contacting you by phone, and they will typically be obliged to do so. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, and you should only take this route if you are prepared to defend against a lawsuit from your creditors, since demanding that they stop contacting you usually leaves them with no other option but to sue.

If you have hired a La Vergne, Tennessee lawyer to help, he or she might advise that you file for bankruptcy. If you do file 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 La Vergne, Tennessee Collections Attorney Help?

If you believe that a creditor is violating the law in its attempts to collect from you, you should get in touch with a La Vergne, Tennessee attorney, since you might truly have a claim for damages against the creditor.

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, a good lawyer in Tennessee can help you with that process, too.