Learning that someone has taken legal action against you is very scary. You will likely have concerns about what the future holds, wonder what to do next, and you may not even know what the lawsuit is about. These are things our Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyers hear very often and in many cases, it is Debski & Associates, P.A. that has filed the lawsuit against a client.
If this law firm has taken legal action against you, it is important to know you are not alone. Below, our attorney advises on the most important actions to take if you have received notice of a lawsuit filed by Debski & Associates, P.A.
Understand the Nature of the Complaint
Many people who have learned that Debski & Associates, P.A. has filed a lawsuit against them wonder why, especially since they have never heard about the law firm before that time. Debski & Associates, P.A. is a law firm located in Jacksonville, Florida. The firm opened in 2002. At that time, the firm opened under the name Rubin & Debski, P.A. but the name was changed to Debski & Associates, P.A. in 2014.
Michael Thiel Debski is listed as the shareholder/partner on the firm’s own website. According to the Florida Bar, Debski has been licensed to practice law since 1996 and he does not have any actions regarding discipline filed against him in the past ten years.
The law firm is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. However, the agency has provided them with an “A+” rating even though the firm has had two complaints filed against them since 2018. Under the old name of Rubin & Debski, P.A., the firm had seven complaints filed against it, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The majority of lawsuits filed against people by Debski & Associates, P.A. involve debt collection. The law firm represents debt collectors and creditors who are owed debt by consumers and they hire the firm to file a lawsuit so they can collect on the debt.
Attend the Hearing
Many people are tempted to ignore a lawsuit filed against them by Debski & Associates, P.A., with the hopes that it will go away. It will not. If the law firm has filed a lawsuit against you, they have every intention of pursuing it and using every resource they have against you so they can win their case. Ignoring the lawsuit will only make this much easier for them.
If you ignore the lawsuit, an attorney from Debski & Associates, P.A. will appear at a hearing. When you do not show up, they will seek a default judgment against you and they will likely win their case. After obtaining the default judgment, the firm will then be able to garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or take other action that will help them recover the debt you owe to their client.
Depending on how much debt you owe, there are different types of courts in which your hearing may be scheduled. If your case will be heard in small claims court, you will have to appear at a hearing known as the case management conference. If you are required to appear in county or circuit court, you will have 20 days to file a written response from the day you are served with the papers related to the lawsuit. If you do not appear at your hearing, or you do not file a response, the law firm will be able to obtain a default judgment.
To avoid a default judgment, you must appear at your hearing or file a proper response. This is the first step in defending yourself and giving yourself the best chance of a successful outcome with the case.
Review the Documentation Carefully
You will receive a lot of paperwork that will be used against you in the lawsuit. Too many people simply assume these records are accurate and they do not even give them a second glance. This is a mistake.
By the time a lawsuit involving debt collection has gotten to the point where it is about to go to court, the debtor’s account has changed hands many times. During that time, the paperwork has also changed hands several times and important documentation may have gotten lost along the way. Or, the documents may not be accurate and may show that you do not owe the debt, or that the amount is wrong. When the paperwork is inaccurate, it could provide a defense that could help you win your case.
Review Your Options
It may not seem as though you have many options when a lawsuit is filed against you, but that is not true. If you can afford to settle the debt for a smaller amount than what you owe, that may be an option. Or, you may be able to file for bankruptcy and you will not be responsible for paying the debt at all. A Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer can advise you on the options available and recommend the one that is right for your case.
Negotiate and Settle
If a debt settlement is your best option, you will have to negotiate an amount to pay. For most people, this is very difficult, which is why it is usually recommended that individuals work with a lawyer. An attorney will have the necessary experience to negotiate a fair settlement amount and will draft the agreement, as putting it in writing is crucial so the company or firm does not raise a dispute in the future.
All Our Consumer Debt Lawyers in Florida Today
If Debski & Associates, P.A. has filed a lawsuit against you, you must speak to a Florida debt defense lawyer instead of going it alone. At Loan Lawyers, we will advise you of your options and represent you throughout the entire case to give you the best chance of a positive outcome. Phone us today at (954) 523-4357 or connect with us online to request a free review of your case.
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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.
