If I settled an account with a creditor in the past, and the creditor is now suing me, do I have to show up to court?
YES. The creditor is bringing the claim against you and if you do not defend yourself, the judge will very likely issue a default against you. This may be frustrating for you, since you think the debt is no longer valid, but it will be much more frustrating to try and get the default set aside later. The judge probably does not know that you have already paid that debt and the creditor is certainly not going to tell the judge that this debt has already been satisfied. You must go into court and prove that you have paid this debt to get the case dismissed. A Florida consumer law attorney can help you with this representation and often times can appear in court on your behalf.
If you already have a judgment or garnishment, contact a Jacksonville attorney now to find out what your legal options are.
