If you have received notice that Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC has filed a lawsuit against you, it is likely that you are worried about your future. You may not know what to do next, or how to protect yourself. Any time you are sued over a debt, it is important to speak to a consumer debt defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. An attorney will know the most important steps to take, help you through the process, and give you the best chance of a successful outcome in your case.
Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC, is a Debt Collection Company
Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC, is a debt collection company based in Miami, Florida. The Florida Department of Corporations shows that the agency was established in 2003. The partners of the firm are Juan G. Andreu, Jorge Palma, Yulexy Solis, and Desiree Lavin. None of the managing partners had any disciplinary actions taken against them in the past ten years, as of June of 2021.
However, while the managing partners have not faced any disciplinary action, they have had 13 complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as of June of 2021. Despite this, the BBB has assigned the agency an “A+” rating.
Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC is a third party debt collector. This means they purchase borrowers’ accounts from various creditors, including credit card companies, for pennies on the dollar. Once they have purchased the accounts, they then start legal action, such as filing a lawsuit against a borrower, to collect on the debt. When they win their lawsuits, they can then pursue it and any debt they recover as a result goes towards their own profits.
If the firm has filed a lawsuit against you, it is likely that they are claiming you owe a certain consumer debt. Facing these arguments is difficult, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your financial future.
Appear in Court
Most debt collectors sue borrowers in the hopes that the defendant, or the person being sued, will simply ignore it. There are three different levels of courts in Florida. These are small claims court, circuit court, and county court. If your case is one for small claims court, you must attend a hearing. If you must appear in circuit or county court, you have twenty days to respond to the lawsuit in writing.
If you do not respond in county or circuit court, or you fail to appear in small claims court, Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC will likely secure a default judgment against you. When that happens, the debt collector can then take other action, such as garnishing your wages or levying your bank account. It is for this reason that you respond to the lawsuit as soon as possible.
By simply responding or appearing in court, you will give yourself a much better chance of winning your case. Do not respond or appear in court on your own, though. A Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer will explain the next steps to take and represent you throughout the process to give you the best chance of a positive outcome.
Review the Records
Many consumers do not know how debt collection works. They often do not know that before a debt collector sues them, the account for the debt has changed hands several times. As the account moves from one debt collector to another, paperwork becomes lost and left behind. This is important, as it could serve as a defense in your case against Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC.
Any time a debt collector sues you, they must prove that they have standing. This means they have a right to file the lawsuit because if you do not pay the debt, it will cause them harm. Debt collectors often cannot prove this fact because they do not have the appropriate paperwork, whether they never received it or it just became lost along the way.
It is critical that you or your lawyer fully reviews the paperwork associated with the debt. While reviewing the paperwork, make sure that Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC actually owns the debt, that the amount is accurate, and that you owe the debt. If any of those facts are untrue, it can serve as a defense in your case.
Evaluate Your Options
If Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC actually owns the debt and has the paperwork to prove it, and you actually owe the debt, you may think you are out of options. Fortunately, that is not true. You may still have many options to help with your case, including filing for bankruptcy. You should also consider settling the debt, or other options, such as building a strong defense for your case. A debt defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can explain your options and advise on which one is right for you.
Negotiate
It is often possible to negotiate with debt collectors to pay a smaller amount. These agencies would rather recover a portion of the debt rather than nothing at all, so they are more often than not willing to negotiate and allow you to pay a smaller portion of the debt. It is always important to work with a lawyer when negotiating, as they do it every day.
Draft a Settlement Agreement
If you are able to negotiate a debt settlement, make sure it is in writing. If it is not, you may pay the amount required, only to find that Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, PLLC, comes back at some point in the future, trying to collect on the debt.
Call Our Debt Defense Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale Today
If you have been sued by Andreu Palma Lavin & Solis, our Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyers can help. At Loan Lawyers, we know how to build a solid defense in your case, and can negotiate with debt collectors on your behalf. Call us today at (954) 523-4357 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
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Loan Lawyers is made up of experienced consumer rights attorneys who use every available resource to develop comprehensive debt solution strategies. Our goal is to take on those burdens, resolve those problems, and allow our clients to sleep soundly knowing they are on the path to a better future.
